Excite your palette this winter with a few internationally known beverages—and some classics from the mainland.

Amber Daley

January's frigid temperatures are upon us, but brew up a piping hot cup of joe, tea or cocoa and voila! You have a cold-weather cure. Take a lesson from cultures around the world and spice up your morning routine with something a little different than black coffee. Virtually anything—oats, milk or applies, for example—is fair game for a tasty treat that will ward off the winter chill.

Australia | Wattlecino
This drink gets its name from the golden wattle blossom, Australia's national flower. Wattleseeds are ground and used to make a coffee substitute, resulting in a beverage similar to a cappuccino, but it is caffeine free and doesn't have a bitter taste.

Bolivia | Blanco
Also called “api morado” and “chicha morada,” blanco is derived from purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, cloves and orange rind. This thick and hardy drink is often served at bus stations in the mornings, but can be traced back to the Incas.

Costa Rica | Agua Dulce
Popular with farmers and at breakfasts, this drink is nothing more than sweet water: whole cane sugar dissolved in hot water.

Ecuador | Colada
This warm, creamy beverage is made by soaking dry oats then boiling them with water, fruit, sugar and salt and finally running the mixture through the blender. It is then strained (hence the name colada, as colar means “to strain”) and ready to drink.

Egypt | Sahlab
Sometimes considered an aphrodisiac, this rich drink is made from orchid root powder, milk and sugar, and then topped with cinnamon. It is served at pastry shops and from street vendor carts. It's also popular in Turkey and other areas in the Middle East.

England | Wassail
Wassailing was a Saxon custom that entailed door-to-door well-wishing and an exchange of food, drink (a bowl of hot, spiced ale now referred to as “wassail”) and monies. There are many recipes for the beverage, including a once-popular version called “lambswool,” made from hot ale, roasted crab apples, sugar, eggs, cream and pieces of toast floating on top. We think our version is a bit more appetizing.
• 12 small apples
• 1 cup cream sherry
• 1 quart ale
• 1 cup calvados (optional)
• 1 quart hard cider (or use apple cider)
• 1 quart apple cider
• 1 to 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 orange
• 10 cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 10 blades mace (or more nutmeg)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 10 allspice berries

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Remove the cores of the apples but leave the skins on. Bake in a covered casserole dish until soft (about 40 to 50 minutes). Meanwhile, combine the ciders and sugar in a large saucepan. Add the juice of the orange to the mixture. Scrape some orange zest from the rind and tie it in a piece of cheesecloth, along with the spices. Add the cheesecloth pouch to the saucepan. Bring everything to a boil and then allow to simmer for five to ten minutes. Add the sherry, calvados, and ale. Serve with the baked apples floating on top. Serves 12.
Recipe courtesy of The New York Times.

Germany  | Glühwein
Mulled wines are brewed all over the world and known by many names, including this German version, by the name of glühwein.

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ lemon, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 10 cloves
• 1 orange, sliced for garnish

Simmer the water, lemon, and spices for an hour. Strain. Add the wine, and heat but do not boil. Garnish with a half slice of orange. Serves 12.
Recipe courtesy of www.makinghomemadewineandbeer.com.

India | Masala Chai
This strong, rich black tea is steeped in hot milk and water, then flavored with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, and sometimes nutmeg, vanilla or anise. If traveling, it is considered impolite to refuse this drink, as Indians take great pride in their chai.

Ireland | Irish Coffee
This drink is thought to have been originally concocted in the 1940s by a chef wanting to warm travelers by adding a little whiskey to their coffee.

• 1 ½ ounces whiskey
• 3 ounces coffee
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 ounce cream

Combine the coffee, sugar, and whiskey. Heat, but do not boil. Pour into a glass and carefully add the cream so that it floats on top of the coffee mixture. Serves 1.
Recipe courtesy of the International Bartender Association.

Italy | Bicerìn
This decadent drink is native to Turin, and consists of espresso topped with carefully poured layers of hot chocolate and heavy whipped cream.

Japan | Tamagozake
Sometimes referred to as Japanese eggnog, this traditional beverage, called “tamagozake,” is used as a cold remedy.

• 6 ounces sake
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Heat the sake in a saucepan to evaporate some of the alcohol. Meanwhile, beat the egg well. When the sake has cooled somewhat, stir in the beaten egg a little bit at a time. Add the sugar. Place over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Serves 1.
Recipe courtesy of Obachan's Kitchen.

Mexico | Atole
Most popular during the Christmas season and during the Day of the Dead, this celebratory drink includes masa (corn flour), sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Rice flour or oatmeal can also be used in place of masa. It is consumed during breakfast and dinnertime and is also sold on the streets.

Netherlands | Anijsmelk
This drink, thought to calm the stomach and help with sleep, is essentially anise and hot milk. It is reminiscent of black licorice, which is a polarizing flavor for many.

Russia | Sbiten
For centuries, sbiten has been used as a remedy for the common cold. A mixture of hot water, honey, jam, and ground cinnamon, cardamon, cloves and ginger are boiled (sometimes with red wine).

Tibet and Nepal | Yak Butter Tea
Also called po cha, this beverage is an acquired taste, as it is quite salty and borders on tasting rancid. It is common that a host will refill the cup up to the brim after each sip, so it is wise to take small sips and finish the drink in one gulp before departing.
 

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If hunting down purple corn and at your local supermarket seems a little daunting or drinking strained oatmeal or yak butter just isn't your style, maybe a good old-fashioned American cocktail is just the ticket. Try your hand at these simple libations.

Fuzzy Richard
½ ounce Grand Marnier
½ ounce dark crème de cacao
½ ounce Kahlua
Pour all ingredients into a mug of hot coffee.

TUACA Hot Apple Pie
1 ½ ounces TUACA
5-6 ounces warm apple cider
whipped cream
cinnamon stick
Pour ingredients into a mug. Garnish with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.

Peppermint Patty
hot chocolate
1 ½ ounces peppermint schnapps
Pour schnapps into a large mug of hot chocolate and top with whipped cream.

Cinnamon Tea
hot tea
1 ½ ounces cinnamon schnapps
Fill a large mug with hot tea, add schnapps and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Hot Buttered Rum
Rich and comforting and sweet as candy, hot buttered rum is an essential spirit for your favorite mug.
• 1 cup rum
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 quarts hot water
• ½ stick butter
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch salt
• whipped cream for garnish

Combine the brown sugar, water, butter, and spices. Stir thoroughly. Cover and heat slowly, allowing the mixture to simmer for some time. Add the rum and serve hot with whipped cream. Serves 15.
Recipe courtesy of cdkitchen.

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Keep in mind, however, wintertime drinks aren't just for the taste buds—and they don't have to be alcoholic, either. Some of these comforting beverages offer nutritional benefits as well. In fact, in several countries, hot tea is served with a meal so as to aid digestion. Chamomile, in particular, contains essential oils and flavonoids that relax muscles and promote contractions in the intestinal tract that move food along. Teas are also packed with antioxidants that are known to protect the body from free radicals.

For a quick pick-me-up, pick up these stand-bys at the local market:
• Harney & Sons White Christmas (a white tea with vanilla and almond)
• Celestial Seasonings' Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride
• Biggelow Gingersnappish
• Tazo Red Bush (Rooibos)

Coffee is another hot drink packed with antioxidants, just be sure not to overdo the caffeine intake. Keep the calorie count down by minimizing the amount of added sugar, honey and cream. Instead, stick with sugar-free syrups and skim or low fat milk.