6 Cozy Drinks to Keep You Going Strong Through Dry January

Sheela Prakash
Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
updated Jan 10, 2022
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Ginger tea in mug.
Credit: Photo: Linda Xiao; Food Stylist: Jessie YuChen

Maybe you’ve decided to join the #dryjanuary crowd and abstain from alcohol this month. If so, you might find yourself wondering what to unwind and warm up with when your usual hot toddy or glass of red wine is off the table.

With the dark, cold nights of winter, we all feel the need to cozy up from the inside out. And while hot cocoa or a good, strong cup of coffee is nice, you don’t always want a jolt of caffeine right at the end of the day.

So how can you treat yourself to something that feels special, tastes cozy, and will warm you up and help you relax? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are six comforting drinks that are guaranteed to warm you up, but without alcohol, to keep you going strong for Dry January, or to enjoy whenever you’re looking to be alcohol-free.

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Honey Chamomile Tea Latte
Steamed milk isn't just for fancy coffee shop drinks. Here, a simple DIY version is used to make a mug of honey-sweetened chamomile tea extra comforting.
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Ginger Tea

You don't need to have a scratchy throat to enjoy this soothing elixir made of fresh ginger but if it's a January cold that ails you, a big mug of this is sure to do the trick.

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Gingered Hot Cider
While the typical way of making spiced apple cider is to let whole spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks simmer in it, this fast and fancy version opts for simply steeping a few bags of ginger tea in it. The result is instantly warming and absolutely delicious.
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Spiced Vanilla-Bean Steamers
It's worth making a double batch of the vanilla syrup when preparing this drink. It's just as good stirred into this milky tea drink as it is stirred into your morning mug of coffee.
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Chai Latte
We're warning you: You make break up with your neighborhood cafe after you learn just how easy it is to make a great chai latte at home.
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Sweet Potato Latte
This beverage consists of only three ingredients: Korean sweet potato, milk, and sugar — not an ounce of caffeine in sight — but it’s delightful.
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