There are so many things to look forward to in autumn. From the dark nights encouraging maximum cosiness to the excitement of Halloween, Bonfire Night and, of course, Christmas on the horizon, it’s truly a season to celebrate.
But of course, there’s only one way to properly reap the benefits of autumn, and it definitely doesn’t involve making elaborate social plans – that’s what summers are for! No, autumn requires the following things: a sofa, a blanket, your choice of TV show, and a delicious, warming drink!
Because autumn isn’t just the season of falling leaves and woolly hats; it’s also the season for piping hot teas, coffees, and hot chocolates! Now, if you’re anything like us, you’ll have your daily brew down to an art – the perfect mug, the ideal balance of milk and sugar, the exact right temperature, and the perfect place to sit and enjoy it. But autumn is a great opportunity to push outside of your comfort zone a little and try out a few seasonal favourites.
So, read on for our favourite recommendations of outside-the-box autumn drinks to try out. You never know, you might find a new alternative to your daily cuppa!
Pumpkin spice latte
Let’s begin with the ultimate autumnal favourite. Is there any better way to settle into the spooky season than with a pumpkin spice latte? This BBC Good Food recipe is a perfect example of what we love about this fall classic: the mixture of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg give it a wonderful warmth, and the added kick of piping hot espresso will be sure to get you feeling energised and ready to… well, settle back down on the sofa for a bit longer!
Of course, a delicious pumpkin spice latte hinges on the quality of the coffee. Now, we’re no coffee snobs here, but we think it’s important that you treat yourself to the level of drink you deserve. So why not let the cold weather and dark nights be the excuse you need to indulge in a brand-new coffee machine? The Swan Nordic Pump Espresso Coffee Machine isn’t just a stylish addition to your kitchen countertops with its eye-catching wood-effect details and subtle colours – it’s also the simplest way to make sure you’ve got fresh, barista-quality coffee on tap and ready to go!
Just imagine it now: the aroma of rich, bitter coffee, the tang of spice, the sweetness of pumpkin… Who could resist?
Peppermint white hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is in many ways the ultimate cold-weather drink – warming, sweet and indulgent, it truly is a cure to any winter woes. And trust us, there’s no sense in waiting: as soon as the weather turns, we’re bringing it back into the regular hot drink rotation! And this is a fact that’s proven by our recent National Chocolate Week blog – our number one recipe was a delicious Halloween-themed hot chocolate!
But as the season goes on, and October turns into November, we need to start changing it up a little – you don’t want to put yourself off with too much of a good thing. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean giving hot chocolate a break – quite the opposite. It means it’s time to try something a bit more unusual and bring in a touch of that festive feeling while you’re at it.
Our Peppermint White Hot Chocolate recipe is the perfect choice for the seasoned hot chocolate connoisseur who fancies changing things up while they get into the holiday mood. The combination of rich, indulgent white chocolate and sharp peppermint is a surprisingly addictive one, and the crushed candy cane is the perfect seasonal addition.
Cointreau orange hot chocolate
Of course, we can’t possibly write an autumn drinks blog that doesn’t offer something a little boozy – after all, is there any better way to warm up than a hot drink with a dash of something a bit stronger in it?
Well, look no further than our Cointreau Orange Hot Chocolate recipe! The combination of chocolate and orange is obviously a classic, but the extra citrus kick of Cointreau takes it to a whole new level. If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to a lovely autumn evening – the heating up high, wind and rain lashing at the windows, the faint prospect of snow in the air – then look no further.
If you’re struggling to get the milk heated up just right – or just don’t want to have to stand stirring at the hob – then a Swan Milk Frother will make this recipe even easier to make. And let’s be honest, that’s one of the main considerations when it comes to hot drinks in the cold weather! It’s even got an automatic switch-off function to make sure that even the most absent-minded won’t have to let their drink go cold while they’re cleaning up the mess they’ve made.
Smoothies galore
Finally, let’s acknowledge something important: not everyone likes hot drinks! There are people out there who just prefer something cold, no matter what the weather’s like. And that’s great – our little differences are what make us interesting!
So, we’re going to finish with a couple of recipes that are perfect for those who just aren’t fans of hot drinks, or who like to take a break from time to time. First and foremost, we’ve got the perfect recipe for those who want that classic pumpkin spice taste in smoothie form. Our Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie is simple to make and totally delicious. What is more, the addition of protein powder makes it a great breakfast option to keep you going ‘til lunchtime or even an autumnal post-workout treat.
And we should probably remember that autumn isn’t always plain sailing. For every person who gets excited about shouting “trick or treat” or heading out to a bonfire all wrapped up, there’s someone else for whom autumn means one thing: endless colds! If you’re prone to catching all those bugs that get passed around in the lead-up to Christmas, why not try our Flu-Fighter Smoothie with Citrus and Ginger?
The perfect mug
Last but not least, we need to make sure that you’ve not just got a delicious hot drink to settle in with, but the perfect cup to drink it out of! Now, if you’re anything like us, you’ve probably got a few favourite mugs you like to use, whether it’s because they’re a perfect size or they’ve got some sentimental associations. But the last thing you want is to have to dig through the cupboard to find the perfect one.
So, why not invest in a Swan Retro Mug Tree? It’s the perfect way to keep all your best mugs on hand and ready to go – and its solid, sturdy base will keep everything exactly where you put it.
Of course, maybe you’re in the opposite situation – you just don’t have a mug that’s fit for those lovely, indulgent autumn drinks. Well, that’s a situation we don’t think anyone should have to endure. Thankfully, we’re here to help: our Swan Ceramic Character Mugs are just what you need to complement all your tasty, comforting autumn drinks. They’re not only extremely cute (as you can see!), but they come in a set of 2, so you can brew up a second cup of your favourite new recipe to share.
Or if you’re looking for a more contemporary-cool, coffee shop feel, check out our Swan set of 4 Double-Wall Espresso Glasses, and Swan set of 4 Double-Wall Cappuccino Glasses. These coffee glasses are a bit different to your usual mug, and they’ll make you feel as if you’re enjoying your favourite barista coffee at home! They both come in a set of 4 and are perfect if you have a Swan Espresso Maker too, as they fit perfectly on top of your machine so you can serve those delicious professional feel coffees in style. Your guests are bound to be impressed!
So, now you’ve got your lovely new Swan mugs and some fun new recipes to try, you’re set for a good few months of evenings in. From all of us here at Swan, we wish you happy hibernating!
