Sometimes, in the middle of winter, when it is raining for four days in a row, we as sun-spoiled South Africans are struggling to stay warm. Of course we can exercise or cosy up in front of the fireplace, but most of the time we rely on a beverage to keep the cold away. What is your favourite winter-warmer and what drink is really the most effective when it comes to keeping the cold at bay?
When the umpteenth cup of coffee or tea no longer has the desired effect, we often pour a beautiful glass of red wine. Oh yes, this does the trick immediately! And while I would like to attribute this to some romantic notion around wine, the reason why alcohol makes us feel warmer is that it serves as a vasodilator, which means that it increases blood flow, especially in the blood vessels near the skin. The effect is a lovely sense of warmth. Almost like believing that smoking calms you down despite nicotine being a stimulant, the reality of this warming sensation is, however, that as the blood flows to your skin, it is diverted from your core and your body temperature is actually lowered. So, keep that in mind and stay close to the fire!
Why do we generally choose red wine in winter? Except for the fact that it is usually served at a slightly warmer temperature than white wine, the alcohol is usually higher ensuring a quicker reaction and with more tannins derived from the grape skins and barrel maturation, the mouthfeel is fuller, contributing to that sensation of warmth and comfort.
With higher alcohol ensuring a quicker warm-up, a neat whisky or brandy might even be more effective than wine, but to make them a little more consumer-friendly, they are often served as part of a winter-warming cocktail. Mulled wine and gluhwein might not be as popular in South Africa as they are in Europe, but we know all about hot toddies and Irish coffees. Have you tried spiced mulled cider? It is a combination of apple cider and spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise. I imagine it tastes like apple tart! Mixing alcohol with hot beverages and other ingredients like aromatic spices or fruit adds depth and complexity and contributes to our overall sense of warmth and wellbeing.
Of course, alcohol can’t always be part of our winter warmers and for the biggest part of the day, we sip on a variety of steaming coffees, teas and more decadent options like hot chocolate.
While there are a lot of elements that contribute to a drink’s cosiness factor – from the cup it is served in, to the addition of cream, froth and sprinkles, some drinks are warmer than others. Tea is for instance served warmer than coffee as it is typically brewed with boiling water (100°C), while coffee is often brewed with water that’s slightly below boiling point. But do they really increase your body temperature? It definitely feels like it, but this sensation is often more because of the way your body reacts to the warm drink and the comfort it provides rather than a sustained increase in your body temperature. This is also the reason why we keep those cups coming!
Is the effect of cold drinks in summer as negatable as that of the perceived warmth we get from hot drinks in winter? It seems our bodies are all about balance and despite the initial cooling effect of a cold drink, thermoregulation kicks in to stabilise our core temperate again. Perhaps that is why my friends and colleagues in the Far East insist on drinking warm water, claiming that it is better for their health, aids digestion and helps with detoxification.
Although I prefer to keep things straight when it comes to drinks – my coffee black and my wine without spices – I did try this hot toddy from Leopard’s Leap and recommend you try it too! They say: “A Hot Toddy is traditionally enjoyed when it is cold and wet – usually as a bedtime drink, but also, some say, as a cure to cold and flu. All and all a winter’s drink then! We have created our own version replacing the traditional liquor with Leopard’s Leap Shiraz (don’t get us started on the health properties of red wine …), adding some warming spices, coconut oil (another health trend!), decadent dark chocolate and a finishing-off touch of vanilla. Whether you believe in the health claims or not, don’t you feel better already?” Click here for the recipe.
I hope you are staying safe and warm and while we are enjoying our warming beverage of choice, let’s spare a thought and perhaps a cup of takeaway coffee for those who are in need for the longer-lasting warmth of care and kindness.