Warm drinks don’t have to be caffeinated, however. In fact, it can be good for your health to cut down on your caffeine consumption. Adults are more sensitive to caffeine as they age, according to an article in UCLA Health. Research shows that it takes one-third longer for people between the ages of 65 and 70 to metabolize caffeine than their younger counterparts, which can amplify side effects such as irritability, anxiety, jumpiness or sleeplessness.
But this doesn't mean you have to forgo the pleasures of hot beverages when warming up this winter. Enjoy your caffeine in moderation, and consider mixing up your routine with other satisfying drinks. We've rounded up ideas of cozy beverages to sip on as winter approaches in Texas, with plenty of caffeine- and sugar-free options.
Keep the cold at bay with a cup of chai, a sweet and gently spiced blend of black tea, milk, cinnamon, cardamom pods, ginger, cloves and peppercorns. This traditional Indian drink is known as masala chai, but in North America, it's evolved into chai lattes, which tend to be creamier. Try this hot drink in place of your morning coffee or when you curl up with a book in your suite at Bethesda Gardens Fort Worth.
You can brew a quick cup of chai with decaffeinated chai tea bags from the grocery store. Place two tea bags in a mug. Add boiling water until it's about one-quarter full. Steep for 5 minutes and remove the tea bags. Then, fill the rest of the mug with warmed milk and sprinkle some nutmeg on top. If desired, add your favorite sweetener to taste.
If you like the creamy texture of specialty coffees such as cappuccinos and lattes, a vanilla steamer is a great caffeine-free alternative. Frothy warm milk is flavored with vanilla for a smooth, sweet treat. You can also choose plant-based milks, such as soy, rice and almond.
Milk steamers are available at local Fort Worth coffee shops, but many use flavored syrups, which can bump up the sugar and calories in your drink. It's a good idea to consume these in moderation, as too much added sugar in a diet can cause obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
To make a simple vanilla steamer at home, heat a cup of milk in the microwave and add a dash of vanilla extract and cinnamon to taste.
This drink has a beautifully golden hue from turmeric, a saffron-yellow spice with an earthy flavor. The peppery taste of turmeric is mixed into warm milk and complemented by ginger, cinnamon and a splash of sweetener, such as honey or maple syrup.
Golden milk is perfect any time of day but is particularly soothing before bedtime. You'll also get a boost of antioxidants from the turmeric. Pour 1 cup of milk into a microwave-safe mug. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder. Heat until warm. And honey to taste before drinking.
Hot apple cider is a classic drink brimming with familiar autumn flavors and perfect to serve guests. It’s made with fresh-pressed apples and perked up with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon and orange.
You can make apple cider using a slow cooker, which gives the flavors plenty of time to steep. Food Network’s Homemade Apple Cider recipe uses sweet Gala apples and tart Granny Smiths. The apples are cut into wedges and tossed in a crock pot with water, cloves and cinnamon sticks. The softened apples are later mashed and the mixture is strained to extract the cider.
While there are many types of tea for older adults to enjoy, the fruity herbal blends you see on the grocery store shelf aren't actually tea. They're from different plants than black, green and oolong teas and are known as tisanes.
Tisanes are caffeine-free, so you can enjoy them before bed without worry of a sleepless night. Just check the label, as some products may be black or green teas with fruit blended in.
Fruit tisanes come in assorted flavors, so you can find one to suit your mood, such as lemon, orange, raspberry, peach, cherry, cranberry, passion fruit, strawberry, blackberry and mango. Try steeping the tea in a glass mug so you can see the vivid colors emerge as you pour in the boiling water.
While hot chocolate is a winter staple for people of all ages, it does contain some caffeine. If you make a cup of hot cocoa at home, you'll get about 11.5 milligrams of caffeine from each tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
If you’re craving the taste of chocolate in a warm decaf beverage, look for a dessert tea. Stash Chocolate Hazelnut Decaf Black Tea provides chocolaty flavor notes without the sugar and caffeine. Celestial Seasonings White Chocolate Peppermint blend is perfect for the holidays, although it does contain about 7 milligrams of caffeine. When brewing a dessert tea, mix in a splash of milk for added richness.
