Indian Warm Drinks That Keep You Healthy During the Cool Season

The cool season has arrived, and it’s one of the best times to enjoy a warm drink and soak in the cosy weather. But with lower temperatures often comes higher pollution, making it easier to catch a cold or develop a sore throat. Your skin may also become drier than usual.

To help you stay healthy and comfortable, we’ve put together a list of warm Indian drinks that are both nourishing and soothing. These five drinks are perfect for sipping throughout the season, so you can enjoy the chill while taking care of your health.

One of the easiest ways to support your daily health during cool seasons is to drink haldi doodh, also known as golden milk. It warms your body from the inside, strengthening your natural defences against seasonal infections.

Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties to help fight colds, coughs and sore throat, while warm milk soothes your system and supports better sleep.

The healthy fats in the milk also help your body absorb curcumin, which is an active compound in turmeric, making it effective in reducing inflammation and easing joint stiffness, keeping your immunity strong throughout the cold season.

Best time to drink: Have it before you sleep so that it relaxes you and grant you better sleep.

How to prepare: Stir ½ tsp turmeric (with black pepper) into hot milk, simmer 5-10 minutes, strain, and sip slowly warm.

Badam milk is not just a popular traditional winter beverage, but it's also very tasty. One of the reasons why people love to consume it during the cold season is because the almond and the milk combined have vitamin E, calcium, proteins and healthy fats, which help protect against common cold and flu.

It also keeps the body warm, strengthens bones, and hydrates the skin during the dry season.

Best time to drink: 4pm, before bedrime, mid-morning (like 10:30 AM, 2 hours after breakfast) to maximise benefits.

How to prepare: Soak, peel and grind almonds into a smooth paste with mik and spices, then simmer with boiked milk for 2-3 mins until frothy and then sip it slowly.

Kadha is very soothing, yet bold when sipped hot. People drink this during chilly weather because it helps boost immunity against infections, fights colds, soothes sore throat symptoms, clears respiratory congestion, reduces inflammation, aids digestion, detoxifies the body, and provides internal warmth.

All these benefits come from all the warming spices it contains, such as ginger, turmeric, tulsi, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon.

Best time to drink: Have it warm in the morning on an empty stomach for detox and immunity boost, or evening for relaxation and respiratory relief.

How to prepare: Boil about 2–3 cups of water with a bit of crushed ginger, some peppercorns, cloves, a cinnamon stick, a few tulsi leaves, and a pinch of turmeric for around 10–15 minutes, till it cooks down. Strain it, let it cool just a little, add honey or jaggery, and sip it warm.

Tulsi has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that fight seasonal flu, colds, and infections, while ginger gives the warming thermogenic effects that combat cold-weather chills and also improve circulation. The duo clears lingering congestion, softens the sting of a sore throat, and eases winter coughs, offering quick comfort in the cold.

Furthermore, it also revives digestion, weighed down by rich winter meals and takes the edge off stress and fatigue.

Best time to drink: Morning on an empty stomach or in the afternoon after a meal.

How to prepare: Start by boiling around 200ml of water. Add around 1 teaspoon or 5-7 fresh tulsi (holy basil) leaves. Let it steep for like 6–10 minutes, then strain it and drink. Toss in some ginger, honey, or lemon if you want extra flavor.

Bajra ki Raab is a natural body warmer and that's why it's one of the best winter drinks. It has nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants from bajra, jaggery, and ghee that really help boost immunity.

On top of that, it also aids digestion, fuels you gradually, and supports bone health with its mineral richness. You will notice that you get fuller longer after you eat because it helps maintain a healthy weight.

Additionally, jaggery’s antioxidants protect your skin from the harsh winter air, and ghee gives it a good dose of inner moisture to stop the dryness.

Best time to drink: Morning or mid-evening to boost immunity.

How to prepare: Start by warming some ghee, roast the bajra flour until it turns lightly browned and has that nice aroma, then pour in water and jaggery while whisking. Let it thicken a bit, stir in ajwain and ginger powder, cook for another minute, and enjoy it warm.