It’s the season for an abundance of sweet treats, but also for special winter-themed drinks, often involving coffee or chocolate (or both!), milk (or a milk alternative) and perhaps a dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of nutmeg or some other special spice or festive feature (visions of sugar plums or candy canes may dance through your head) to create a drink to savor while treasuring a few moments of respite snatched from the hustle and bustle of activities quickly filling the season.

Does the plethora of possible beverages leave you puzzled, or does it spark your sense of adventure to go forth into the unknown in search of a potential new favorite? If you’re like me, perhaps you find something you love and cling to it, possibly until such a time you suddenly realize you’ve had quite enough, perhaps for good or maybe just until the mood happens to strike again at some point in the distant or not-so-distant future.

Even so, I enjoy trying new drinks. If it doesn’t suit me quite, but is almost right, I try to take note how I might tweak it if I try it again. I prefer a nice hot drink, nothing too sweet. It’s easy to overdo it on the sugary selections, both on taste and with the accumulation of unintended quantities of calories. I often find it just right to ask for a drink to be half the sweetness. Not only does this suit my preferences, but also there’s a fine line between the right amount of sweetness and a sickeningly sweet quantity.

What are your favorites? Do you search them out? Have you crafted your own recipe? What makes your favorite wintertime drink so special? It can be a tasty adventure fun to undertake as many places lean into themes of creative confectionaries and adventurous selections for hot beverages to enjoy on a cool day (or any time).

Do you have traditional favorites you prefer to enjoy at this time? One of my recent favorites includes a half sweet non-dairy latte, and there are many varieties to enjoy along the way. What are your favorites (or never-agains)  this year?

Whatever your preferred selections, try to find some quiet moments to truly enjoy them and take time to savor the simple things along the way, no matter how brief. It’s been my experience that the “small things” in life are often not small at all, so let’s take time to appreciate them and fully experience the special treats along the way as we go about our day, working our way through to navigate all the whatevers we’ve got piled on our plates. All that can wait, at least for a bit.