Meet Your New Favorite [Warm & Nourishing] Morning Drink

The temps are already dropping here in the PNW, and I can’t seem to light the fire or grab a blanket quick enough on these crisp and chilly fall mornings. And as I start my day with five minutes of journaling, a little reading, and writing these very blog posts, nothing completes this cozy, snuggly, hygge vibe I’ve got goin’ like a mug in my hands filled to the brim with a warm & tasty & nourishing drink first thing in the AM.

Let’s be honest…mornings can be tough. While I’m currently at the stage of motherhood where ^^that^^ is how I start my day 95% of the time, not ~every~ morning plays out as planned – the slow & soul-filling reset I hope for when my alarm goes off. But no matter what happens in the first few hours of my day, a hot, steamy cup of somethin’ is a non-negotiable, even if I’m slurping it while making breakfast with “Blue’s Clues” in the background or during my daily commute.

I started expanding my menu of warm morning drinks beyond coffee on one fateful weekday we ran out (aka – no time to stop at the store for anytime soon). This “research” continued as I slowly noticed my energy, mood, and gut health change, and the experiment is still going strong because I’m lovin’ the variety and *ahem* holistic health benefits.

If you’re looking to spice up your mornings with something a liiiiiiittle more exciting than drip, have also heard coffee first thing in the AM isn’t ideal (my thoughts on that below), or have vowed to save money by staying out of the Starbucks line, this list of delicious warm morning drinks is (*literally*…wink wink) your recipe for success. So settle in, scroll until you see something that catches your eye, and slow down long enough to make a soothing & steamy drink worth sippin’ slowly.

The healthiest hot chocolate

Cue the most filling and wholesome warm morning drink that makes me miss coffee a little bit less. Packed with healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, this smooth and creamy bone broth hot chocolate feels like the adult version of hiding veggies in your toddler’s applesauce – all the healthy nutrients masked by sweet, treat-like goodness.

When I drink this first thing in the morning, I tend to have more energy for my workouts, feel fuller longer, and notice less bloating during the day. This recipe is definitely more work than pushing a button on the keurig or boiling water for a cup of tea, but trust me when I say it’s 10000000% worth it.

BONE BROTH HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

½ cup bone broth
½ cup milk of choice (I use whole raw milk)
1 Tbs maple syrup
1 Tbs organic cocoa powder
½ Tbs tallow
1 scoop collagen powder
½ tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Mix all the ingredients together using a blender, immersion blender, or frother (I do this the night before so it’s ready to go in the morning), then heat on the stove in a small saucepan until it reaches your desired temperature, stopping before boiling. For Mexican hot chocolate, either add a cinnamon stick while heating on the stove or sprinkle in a little cinnamon. I’ve also started adding in chocolate electrolytes to fancy up the flavor even more (all of these are s’good; I’ve found about a quarter to half a packet is plenty) and a homemade marshmallow if I have them on hand.

HOMEMADE, GUT-HEALTHY MARSHMALLOW RECIPE

1 cup filtered water
4 Tbs beef gelatin
½ cup maple syrup
½ tsp vanilla

Pour filtered water in the bottom of a small saucepan. Before heating, sprinkle gelatin evenly over the water (one tablespoon at a time) and allow a few minutes for the gelatin to “bloom”, or incorporate into the water. Then place saucepan on the stove at low to medium heat and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved. Add maple syrup and vanilla and mix for a minute or two until everything is incorporated.

Take the mixture off the heat and immediately pour into a bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium to high until it starts to thicken and form peaks, 3-5 minutes. Quickly transfer to a 9×9” glass baking dish with a spatula (this sets *fast* so I put the bowel, mixer, spatula, and baking dish all out on the counter while the gelatin is blooming), then allow to cool in fridge for at least a few hours.

Once the marshmallows have firmed up, cut into pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week…ifffffffff they last that long in your house. We put them in our bone broth hot chocolate, coffee, golden milk latte, and even enjoy them as a sweet, guilt-free snack.

Immunity-boosting latte

Out of all the options on this list, nothing makes me feel fancier (or healthier) than this beautiful golden beverage. This drink’s ingredients not only taste amazing, but are also known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties – aka, the perfect boost our bodies need as the weather changes, sun sets earlier, and diets tend to get a bit more lax during the holidays.

This has become my go-to when I’m craving something a little spicy or start noticing a tickle in my throat or sniffle in my nose. While the benefits are anything but basic, it’s likely you have many of these simple ingredients in your fridge and pantry just waiting to be mixed together into this rich, golden goodness.

GOLDEN MILK LATTE RECIPE

1 cup milk of choice (I use whole raw milk)
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 cinnamon stick
1/8 tsp ground ginger
pinch black pepper
pinch ground nutmeg
1 Tbs coconut oil or tallow
1 Tbs maple syrup or honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix everything but the cinnamon stick together using a blender, immersion blender, or frother (I do this the night before so it’s ready to go in the morning), then add the cinnamon stick and heat on the stove in a small saucepan until it reaches your desired temperature, stopping before boiling. Pour into your favorite mug and pause to appreciate the instant pick-me-up this drink gives.

Let’s talk tea (from a girl who doesn’t didn’t like tea)

I’m not a big tea gal – 99% of teas are too bitter for me. You can preach the benefits of green tea to me all day long, but you won’t ever see me sippin’ on it, especially in my sacred morning hours, and certainly not when I have all of [these] other options in front of me. However…my tastes have changed the older I get, my willingness to try new things has expanded, and I’m now surprisingly pouring a simple cup of tea a few times a week.

While I’m sure there are so many lovely teas out there I haven’t even tried (I’d love to hear about your favorites in the comments below), I’ve found three I can officially say I love…some of which even have health benefits to boot! Even if you’re not a self-proclaimed non-tea-lover like me, I have a feeling at least one of the following might make you a believer.

Yerba Matte Tea – This tea is known to have the “strength of coffee, health benefits of tea, and joy of chocolate”…so if you’re looking for a coffee alternative with the same performance and energy boost, look no further. The taste of this one is a little stronger, so it took some getting used to (and a hearty amount of honey), but I’ve learned to love it not only for its taste, but its antioxidants and micronutrients which research shows can protect against infection, support weight loss, improve blood sugar levels, and lower risk of heart disease.

Dandelion Root Tea – This tea is very mild in flavor making it easily “likeable”, and with the addition of a little honey, it’s actually a tasty treat. Dandelion root promises plenty of positive side effects including blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure control, antioxidants, immunity, anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes skin and gut health. Even when I don’t have this tea in my morning mug, the above benefits and its caffeine-free quality have me steeping a cup at some point every day.

Bengal Spice Tea – This tea is so good even my toddler asks for it on the regular. Our family calls it “tiger tea” because of the tiger on the box, and if you like the taste of chai, you’ll love this one. With all its autumn-y and winter-y spices (and not much else), I drink this caffeine-free black tea with a splash of milk solely for its sweet & spicy flavor.

Coffee anyone?

While coffee is no longer the first thing I pour in the morning, I’m still most definitely brewing a cup as soon as I’ve had breakfast. This is one of my favorite #treatyoself moments of the day, so you better believe the recipes I’m sharin’ are anything but basic. Not to brag or anything, but I’d rather have coffee at home than a café…they’re [that] good (*cue hair flip*).

PS – In case you didn’t pick up on my hints earlier, quality coffee is key to receiving all the benefits of this magic bean. Coffee that is mold & pesticide free, roasted in the last week (if it doesn’t have a recent roast date on it…or no roast date at all…don’t buy it!), and preferably ground by you will be less harmful to your brain, body, and bladder.

THE CREAMIEST ESPRESSO EVER & MY [CURRENT] COFFEE GO-TO

1 double shot of espresso
4 oz milk of choice (I use raw whole milk)
1 raw egg yolk
1 scoop collagen powder
¼ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp coconut sugar
pinch of salt

Make your espresso however you like and pour it in the bottom of your favorite mug. Combine all other ingredients in a frothing pitcher, then mix with a frother or whisk until collagen is dissolved and egg yolk is smooth. Steam and froth the milk mixture, then pour over your espresso, (making a fancy design if you know how), and enjoy.

SPICY FRENCH PRESS COFFEE

3 Tbs fresh coarsely ground coffee
1.5 cups water
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cardamom
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of salt

Place the coffee and spices in the bottom of a french press. Bring water to a low boil (195 – 200 deg if you have a temperature control electric kettle) and pour over the coffee mixture. Stir then let sit for 3-4 minutes, allowing the coffee to bloom. After 3-4 minutes, push the plunger down to separate your finished cup of coffee from the grounds and spices. Pour in a cup and drink plain or top with your milk of choice.

Why I no longer drink coffee first thing in the morning

At one point in my not so distant past, you wouldn’t catch me with anything but coffee brewing within ~~five~~…make that two minutes of waking up. But my now-36-year-old self is searching for alllllll the simple and sustainable ways to improve my health & hormones & mood & energy, and science is showin’ that coffee on an empty stomach miiiiiiight not be the best option for the brain and body.

A few notable negatives of drinking coffee before eating include –

A rise in cortisol levels (the stress hormone that’s already high in the AM) which can contribute to thyroid hormone imbalance, weight gain, bone loss, high blood pressure, anxiety, low sex drive, and irregular periods

Digestive issues due to excess stomach acid resulting in heartburn, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, gastritis, nausea, and exacerbation of leaky gut syndrome and small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO)

Heightened stimulant effects like jitters, heart palpitations, mood swings, urinary urgency and frequency, irritability, and dizziness

Am I still drinking coffee every morning? You better believe it (and you can find my favorite coffee recipes below too!). But now I’m enjoying my java with a bit more mindfulness…in moderation, only using quality, freshly roasted and ground beans (here’s our family’s favorite), and after I fill my belly with breakfast.

I firmly believe in living life to the fullest and romanticizing the heck out of everyday moments. For me, this not only means owning beautiful mugs that hold sentimental value or make me smile, but also filling them with something that benefits my health and I *actually* enjoy (and preferably sipping it leisurely…in peace & quiet…as often as possible). While mornings are my go-to time for a warm beverage, don’t hesitate to let loose and whip up these drinks anytime you need a comforting & cozy & delicious & uplifting treat.

You are worth the little bit of extra time & effort & energy required. You most definitely deserve to slow down and savor. We’re talkin’ body, mind, heart, and soul fuel here, friend.

Cheers from my dimly lit kitchen to yours…before the heater kicks on or the sun’s even up.

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.