With subzero temperatures and frequent snow flurries on the forecast, it’s time to grab your favorite blanket and bundle up, because it looks like winter weather is here to stay. But, sometimes it takes more than blankets, slippers, and sweatshirts to beat the cold.

That’s why it’s better to warm yourself from the inside, and what better way to do that than with a warm and toasty coffee drink with some Nordeast Coffee! Here are five homemade coffee recipes that will keep you warm all winter long:

Gingerbread Latte :  Other than ginger or vanilla extract, you probably already have the ingredients for this delicious latte in your cupboard. Rather than spending money on expensive flavoring syrups, you can make the real thing in a few minutes! The best part about this recipe is that you don’t need to have an espresso machine at home; you can use extra-strong coffee or K-cups as a substitute.

Peppermint Mocha: This simple, four ingredient recipe will make waking up on cold winter mornings more enjoyable. Just add a couple of drops of peppermint extract and a couple of tablespoons of chocolate syrup to your coffee and cream.

Vanilla Café au Lait: If you like your coffee nice and creamy, this one is for you. With half-and-half, milk and vanilla bean, the Vanilla Café au Lait is more than a catchy French name for a latte. It’s a smooth and frothy brew that will leave you asking for refills.

Caramel Macchiato: This recipe takes a little longer to create, but all that extra work will be worth it as soon as you take your first sip. This caramel macchiato has it all: the creaminess of vanilla and milk, the sweetness of caramel and just enough coffee to make it the perfect winter drink.

Poor Man’s Mocha:  Finally, if you don’t have much time or ingredients in your cupboard, this is a simple drink that’s easy to make. All it takes is one part coffee and one part hot chocolate, and you’re good to go!

RECIPES!

Gingerbread Latte

Ingredients:
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
A 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot espresso
1 cup hot milk or soy milk
Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla. Bring to a boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer slowly for 15 to 20 minutes.

Combine the espresso in a mug and add 1/4 cup of the gingerbread syrup. Top off with the heated milk. If you desire, garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of grated nutmeg. Enjoy!

Skinny Peppermint Mocha

Sash calories by replacing sugary syrup with peppermint extract and skipping the whipped cream on top. The boost of intense minty flavor in this mocha is balanced out by dark chocolate syrup and nonfat milk.

Ingredients:
1/2 c. coffee
2 drops peppermint extract
1/3 c. nonfat milk
2 tbsp. dark chocolate syrup

Directions:
Brew coffee of your choice (or use one package of instant coffee) and pour into a mug. Stir peppermint extract and chocolate syrup into the coffee. Taste and adjust to your liking. Stir in nonfat milk.

Makes one serving.

Vanilla Cafe au Lait

Ingredients:

• 1½ c. half-and-half
• 1½ c. whole milk
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 vanilla bean
• 3 c. hot, strong brewed coffee

Directions:

1. Make the café au lait: Combine the half-and-half, milk, and sugar in a small saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk mixture and add the bean to the saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
2. Remove the vanilla bean from the milk mixture and whisk for 1 minute. Fill each mug with 1/2 cup of hot coffee and 1/2 cup milk mixture. Serve immediately.

Carmel Macchiato

Ingredients:

• 6ounces Nordeast Coffee
• 6ounces milk (steamed)
• 1 -2teaspoon sugar (to taste) or 1 -2 teaspoon substitute sugar
• 3teaspoons caramel syrup
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon vanilla
• reddi whipped cream
• caramel syrup, drizzled

Directions:

1. To make a strong coffee, you can brew a ratio of 3 heaping tbsp of coffee to 6 cups water.
2. Add vanillin to the coffee grinds before making the coffee, that way it will infuse while brewing.
3. Once coffee is done brewing, place milk in a large cup and microwave until hot.
4. In a tall glass combine the coffee, milk, and caramel syrup and stir well.
5. Add sugar in small increments until desired sweetness is achieved, don’t forget that the caramel will sweeten this beverage as well.
6. Top with whipped cream and drizzle caramel.
7. Enjoy!

Poor Mans Mocha

1/2 cup good coffee.
1/2 cup hot cocoa.

Preparation: Mix well!