Warm Drinks to Take on Your Next Hike (That Aren’t Just Hot Chocolate!)

Regardless of when those temperatures start dropping in your home court, it’s time to start thinking about ways to warm up when you embark on cool and cold-weather hikes!

Don’t get me wrong: hot chocolate is classic. But it’s nice to switch it up and get creative with what’s in that thermos from time to time. Here are our picks for warm beverages that will both hydrate and comfort on your next cool-weather adventure. 

HOT LEMON & HONEY WATER

It’s a fact: people drink significantly less water when it’s cooler outside (we have our blood vessels to thank for that!), and at day’s end, that’s not ideal. I’d like to think that if we made water a bit more enticing, however, we might just be encouraged to maintain healthy hydration levels even when those temps start to dip.

A classic remedy is making a hot water drink with freshly squeezed lemon and honey. A little tang balanced with sweetness—not to mention, Vitamin C and some other natural electrolytes!—makes a perfect hydration companion for your next hike. If you want to take it up a notch, dry putting some grated fresh ginger in there, too.

YERBA MATE

While it’s essentially the most popular beverage in South America, not everyone has caught on to the benefits of Yerba Maté in these northern lands (and no, I’m not talking about the popular canned beverage often spotted at gas stations and beyond!)  So if you’re not privy yet, listen up.

Yerba maté is brewed from dried leaves and twigs of the holly genus plant, which is native to South America, and the result tastes similar to many green tea varieties. While the drink does contain natural caffeine, the compounds and antioxidants present in maté contribute to a slower release, resulting in what many describe as a smooth lift without the jitters or crash. And especially for a longer hike, that sustained energy is huge! 

Although most people drink yerba maté out of a special cup or gourd, here’s a tip that will help during adventure prep and keep things simple: brew your maté in a French press and pack it up in your favorite thermos!

GOLDEN MILK CHAI

For those extra challenging hikes where you need a bit of extra, you know, oomph, golden milk comforts quite unlike anything else. With the earthiness of turmeric, the zesty flavors of spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, and the sweetness of maple or honey, golden milk chai feels like a warm hug. Stuck waiting out a surprise downpour? Golden milk. Chilled at the top of a windy summit? Golden milk. Needing a pick-me-up for the last hour of a 20-mile day? Golden milk, friends.

There are ready-to-go mixes you can buy with dehydrated dairy and non-dairy milks to make “fresh” on trail, or, you can mix at home with your base of choice. 

APPLE CIDER

Much like hot chocolate, apple cider is a drink loaded with that nostalgia factor. Maybe it’s visions of changing foliage and apple orchards, or winding country roads and one too many roadside cider donuts. No matter what memories it brings to the surface, apple cider is an Autumn staple, and pulling out a thermos after hours of hiking to share some sweet, steaming, tangy goodness is a treat like no other.

Although you can find almost any cider variety in stores these days, I encourage looking for one with as few ingredients as possible, and no added sugars. 

SOUP BROTH

Okay, okay. It may not technically be a “drink” per se, but it’s definitely drinkable and it will definitely hit the spot on a chilly day! With just enough savory sass and salt to replenish body and soul, preparing a no-frills bouillon or instant soup packet before heading out for a long day outdoors will be the gift that keeps on giving!

Although there’s nothing quite like a simple veggie or chicken soup broth bouillon, miso soup proves to be another classic choice if you’re looking for something heartier. Packed with nutritious benefits that boost digestion and help with immunity, miso is my choice for longer hikes or backpacking trips that demand a bit more.