6 Hot Tea Recipes to Curl Up with This Winter

No matter the season, I enjoy winding down after a long day with a steamy mug of hot tea. But once cooler weather hits, it feels even more fitting to brew hot tea drinks that warm me from the inside out.

Instead of opting for the plain black tea bag in the cabinet, plenty of hot tea ideas are waiting for you to try this season. Learning how to make homemade hot tea using fresh herbs, fruit, and more is really easy. You can reap extra health benefits when making tea at home by adding immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as fresh ginger, cinnamon and pomegranate. So grab your blanket and a good book, and cozy up with one of these delicious hot tea drink recipes from our Test Kitchen.

1. Slow Cooker Spiced Green Tea

Make this delicious hot tea recipe when the whole family is in the mood for tea, or you're having a gathering. Brewed green tea is infused with dried fruit flavors (your choice of peaches, apricots, or pears), cinnamon, crystallized ginger, and orange. After this tea has been in the slow cooker for a few hours, your kitchen will smell amazing.

2. Citrus Tea with Tarragon

The fennel-like flavors from fresh tarragon fuse with Earl Grey tea ($8, Target) in this homemade hot tea. A boiled citrus mixture of lemon, lime, and orange is blended together and strained through a fine-mesh sieve ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) for a clean cup and citrus flavors that really shine.

3. Turmeric Tonic

Turmeric is a vibrant orange-colored root that's become trendy in the culinary and health worlds in the past few years but is far from new to the spice scene. The peppery, earthy root contains high levels of the antioxidant compound curcumin (which makes it so bright in color). In addition, it's commonly consumed for its anti-inflammatory properties. Here turmeric, ginger (a relative to turmeric), and cinnamon mix in this healthy hot tea recipe.

4. Spiced Apple Tea

If you really want to bring in some fall and winter flavors to your beverages, try this hot tea drink. Black tea is simmered with apple juice and fragrant warm spices such as cloves and cardamom. Maple syrup is added to the mix for a bit of extra sweetness that feels especially fitting for cool nights.

5. Ginger Tea

Leave it to ginger to be the standalone star of making hot tea without any teabags. All you have to do is steep fresh ginger slices, a sprig of rosemary or mint, and a bit of honey together in a cup of hot water for five minutes and you've got a steamy mug ready for drinking. Use freshly boiled water from your kettle to ensure the best flavor.

6. Matcha Green Tea Latte

You might have seen this drink in your favorite coffee shop, but you can just as easily make this hot tea drink at home. Matcha green tea powder is delicious when combined with milk and honey in this homemade hot tea, and it's also healthy. So enjoy your drink while getting some antioxidants and maybe even a brain boost.

Now that you know how to make the best hot tea, you can start getting creative with herbs from your garden or other fresh fruits and ingredients from the market. And because a cup of tea is always better with snacks, make a batch of scones or these lavender shortbread bites to keep the tea party theme going. Cozy up with some of our other favorite hot drink recipes for anyone who's not a big fan of tea.