Nothing feels or tastes better on a cold winter night than a yummy hot beverage. Following are some suggestions that are a little different from the usual cup of green tea or hot coffee. See if you don't find something here to stave off the cold, recharge your mood, and warm you to the bone.

We want to thank Katie Medlock, foodie extraordinaire, for these delicious concoctions. One of the things I've noticed from what she's come up with, is that she has paired flavors that work well in other scenarios. Maple and apples, for instance, are delicious in oatmeal and on pancakes. So why not in a drink? Read on to see what I mean.

So let's start with that maple syrup and apples. How about CHAI-MAPLE CIDER? This sweet and spicy drink, prepared in a slow-cooker, will also make your entire home fragrant with the scents of the season. The moment you get home in the evening, plop everything in the cooker and you will have enough servings of maple-y warm goodness for the entire family ready to go before bedtime.

4 wide strips orange rind

2-3 cinnamon sticks, broken

10 whole cloves

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

10 black whole peppercorns

4 cups apple cider

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

8 black tea bags

Orange slices for garnish

For the spices, place orange peel, broken cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom and peppercorns in the center of a 6-8 inch, double thick square of cheesecloth. Tie the corners with clean kitchen string. In a slow cooker, combine the spice bag, apple cider, water and syrup. Cover and cook over low heat 4-6 hours. Add tea bags and cover, let stand about 10 minutes. Before serving, remove tea bags and spice bag. Ladle into mugs and garnish if desired with additional cinnamon sticks and orange slices.

Another hot drink that really hits the spot is FROTHY HOT LEMON WATER WITH GINGER. A super-simple replacement for (or addition to) your morning tea or coffee, lemon water with ginger and cayenne is said to have immense antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also is rumored to jump start your metabolism for the day. But why chug a glass of cold water when you can make it into a frothy, warming drink? Whizzing the ingredients in a blender creates a satisfying jumpstart to your morning.

12 - 16 oz HOT water

½ lemon, juiced

½ tsp lemon zest (from ½ lemon)

1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and grated

dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

½ teaspoon honey

Heat water on stove top until desired temperature. Pour hot water into blender and add lemon juice, lemon zest and ginger- if you're adding cayenne pepper and honey you may add them now as well. Blend on medium speed for 20-30 seconds. Pour into glass and enjoy! Servings: 1

A favorite warming beverage at our house is the proverbial HOT TODDY, but without the alcohol. With the essential flavors of orange, vanilla, apple and amaretto, both of these recipes will be sure to get the blood flowing and the taste buds rejoicing.

4 teabags Numi's Orange Spice or Mighty Leaf Tea Vanilla Bean

6 cups hot water

¾ cup apple juice concentrate

1 ½ teaspoons almond extract

1 ½ teaspoons orange extract

3 tablespoons coconut creamer OR regular cream

4 teaspoons agave nectar or preferred sweetener, to taste

In a teapot, boil filtered water. Place teabags in a teapot and close lid to keep in the tea's oils and essence. Allow to seep for at least 5 minutes. If using extracts, add to the teapot and gently stir. Pour tea into individual teacups. Add creamer and sweetener. Serve and enjoy! (NOTE: Hot Toddy's are also great with fresh cinnamon sticks, star anise or orange peel slices. It makes an impressive presentation!)

And then there's wrapping your lips around a large mug of MEXICAN SPICED HOT COCOA. This experience is beyond words.

For nights when the classic hot cocoa simply isn't enough, adding a dash of ground chipotle powder brings the beverage to a new level. Fear not the addition of spice to your sweet drink-the flavors of chocolate and chili go together beautifully and, according to several taste-testers, the spice enhances the chocolate taste!

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to cook. It makes about 5 cups. It's so good, though, that you may want to double it.

4 cups milk

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp. cornstarch (optional thickener)

1 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. chipotle powder or chili powder

Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of cayenne

Optional toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, and/or chocolate shavings

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until simmering, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and serve with optional toppings.

Finally, a hot drink that I make often, whether in the evening or for a warm breakfast: I place frozen blueberries in a large mug (maybe 1 cups-worth) and pour boiling water over them from the teapot. I smush them a bit with a fork and drink up. I call it HOT fruit slush and it's so satisfying!

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