Winter special: Five non-alcoholic drinks to tackle cold

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Mumbai: Winters are finally here and it is time to enjoy the frosty weather. But as the temperatures fall and days become shorter, the calorie intake of an average person increases by 200 units of calorie.

Putting on weight during winters due to high food cravings is normal. In order to consume food in balanced proportions, substituting it with drinks is always a good option. 
Here we bring to you a few non-alcoholic drinks to try this winter to keep yourself warm and treat to your empty stomach. 

1)      Badam milk
Apart from making your skin glow and strengthen your bones, almond milk helps in keeping your weight in check. Soak almonds for 5-6 hours, boil the milk and add sugar, saffron and cardamom powder to it. Once the milk is nearing the end of its boiling process, add the grinded almonds into the milk. Serve the hot milk. The almond paste can be refrigerated for a week. 

2)      Adrak Chai
The simplest way to have a quick hot beverage when it is freezing outside is to make an Adrak chai. Ginger is the best medicine to cure cold, cough and headache. Ginger tea or adrak chai can be with or without milk, depending upon your preferences. Add ginger to the boiling water, followed by tea leaves, sugar and milk. Within a span of 6-8 minutes, your winter blues will disappear.  

3)      Non-alcoholic eggnog
Famous in western countries, eggnog is prepared during the Christmas Eve. Eggnog is rich in protein, calcium vitamin A and vitamin D. Non-alcoholic eggnog comes to your rescue when hunger strikes you. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Heat the milk adding cream, nutmeg, and salt. Mix the yolk with the warm milk and heat it on a medium pan. Serve hot the eggnog to the guests visiting your house in Christmas.   

4)      Hot Apple Cider
This drink helps weight management as it will make you feel full and, hence, making you eat less. Add 4 cups cranberry juice, apple juice, a little sliced ginger, 4 cinnamon sticks and cloves, mix all the ingredients and bring to boil. Strain and serve warm.

5)      Mexican Hot Cocoa Float
Whisk milk, whole milk, liqueur, vanilla, sugar, unsweetened cocoa, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and chili powder and bring to boil. Add chocolate pieces in the boiling drink until melted. Add one tablespoon of whipped cream and decorate it with a cinnamon stick.