Winter tends to be cold and dry, leading to chills and dehydration. Fortunately, warm drinks help older adults stay toasty and hydrated. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of hot beverage recipe ideas for Senior Citizens.

There are many festive hot drinks for older adults to enjoy around the holidays and throughout the cold winter months. Alcoholic beverages bring an added positive feeling to winter celebrations and should be enjoyed in moderation. Mulled wine and spiked apple cider are traditional favorites at Christmas parties. Likewise, hot toddies and buttered Scotch are lovely to sip on a cold night. Non-alcoholic hot drinks are also a great way to stay warm and hydrated in winter. People have also enjoyed wassail and hot chocolate for centuries; and in recent years we have seen the creation of many fun lattes.

Hot Beverage Recipe Ideas for Senior Citizens

Alcoholic Hot Drinks 

Many older adults like to celebrate the holidays with warm alcoholic drinks. Consider some of these hot beverage recipes at your next party. 

Mulled Wine

Ingredients 

• 2 bottles of dry red wine
• 2 TBSP whole cloves
• 8 whole star anise
• 6 cinnamon sticks 
• Orange peel strips 
• 2 oz maple syrup
• 2 oz honey 

Directions

1. Toast the spices in a small pan over low heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes. 
2. Combine toasted spices in a large pot with wine, orange peel, syrup, and honey.
3. Slowly warm the wine, occasionally stirring for 15 – 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let steep for about 30 minutes.
5. Strain to remove spices (optional).
6. Ladle the wine into glasses. 

Spiked Apple Cider

Ingredients 

• 1-gallon apple cider
• 1 orange, quartered
• 1 TBSP whole cloves
• 4 whole star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1.5 cups spiced rum

Directions 

1. Pour apple cider into a large pot
2. Add orange and spices.
3. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours.
5. Strain to remove fruit and spices (optional).
6. Stir in rum and serve. 

For a non-alcoholic option, you can leave out the rum and let guests add their own as desired. 

Hot Toddy

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Bourbon
• 1 TBSP honey
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup boiling water

Directions

1. Pour bourbon, honey, and lemon juice into a mug. 
2. Top off with hot water.
3. Stir until the honey dissolves.

Hot Buttered Scotch 

Ingredients 

• 4 oz unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp salt
• Scotch (or any whisky, rum, or bourbon)
• Hot water

Directions

1. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to a bowl
2. Stir with a fork or mixer until combined.
3. Use wax paper or plastic wrap to form a log.
4. Refrigerate for at least one hour. 
5. To make the drink, scoop 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a mug.
6. Add 1.5 oz of Scotch.
7. Add 3 – 4 oz of hot water (more or less to taste). 
8. Stir until the batter is mixed in. 

Non-Alcoholic Hot Drinks 

Senior Citizens like to enjoy a hot beverage anytime in the winter. So give some of these non-alcoholic hot drink recipes a try.

Drinking Chocolate

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup whole milk 
• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Slowly heat the milk in a double boiler or small saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir in the chocolate chips until fully melted and incorporated. 

Traditional Wassail 

Ingredients 

• 8 cups apple cider
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 5 star anise
• 1 TBSP whole cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 apple, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds

Directions

1. Combine the apple, orange, and pineapple juice in a large pot.
2. Add the cinnamon, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir.
3. Float the fruit slices on top.
4. Warm over low heat. 
5. Simmer for at least an hour. 
6. Serve warm.

Matcha Green Tea Latte 

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 1 tsp sugar or sweetener 
• 1 TBSP hot water

Directions

1. Place matcha and sugar in a mug.
2. Add 1 TBSP of boiling water and mix until the powder dissolves completely.
3. Heat and froth the milk.
4. Pour the hot milk over the matcha mixture and enjoy.

Eggnog Latte

Ingredients

• 2 oz espresso, prepared
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare espresso.
2. Combine milk and eggnog, then heat and froth the mixture.
3. Pour the warm eggnog over the espresso.
4. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of nutmeg, if desired.