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Hot drinks that actually taste nice (no caffeine)

89 replies

Momrage · 08/11/2025 15:18

It's cold, I'm cold, and my default is to mainline coffee. My eye has been twitching for a week from the sheer amount of caffeine, even with decaf coffee.

Need herbal/fruit tea recommendations, or something similar that actually taste nice.

My go-to was cherry and cinnamon until it was discontinued, Yorkshire bedtime tea is another favourite but I don't always fancy it, I did drink a lot of warm lemon water until my dentist told me off for it ruining my enamel.

Not a hot squash fan, and trying to avoid super sugary stuff like hot chocolate.

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 08/11/2025 15:21

Do you have a local polish deli? They do some amazing herbal and fruit teas.

helpfulperson · 08/11/2025 15:37

I like Bovril as a change.

AtomicBlondeRose · 08/11/2025 15:39

I got these Twinings Sleep teabags recently and they’re very nice (and nothing particularly sleep inducing about them, so I’d have them any time). twinings.co.uk/products/superblends-sleep-20-envelopes

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efeslight · 08/11/2025 15:40

Ginger tea with only raw ginger
Boiled water left to cool a little is surprisingly good

FlorenceAndTheVagine · 08/11/2025 15:43

Mint tea, three ginger tea, red bush tea are my caffeine-free choices. I also quite like a mug of vegetable bouillon for a change.

Momrage · 08/11/2025 15:54

TomatoSandwiches · 08/11/2025 15:21

Do you have a local polish deli? They do some amazing herbal and fruit teas.

Oooh that's a great idea, I bet they'll have a cherry one

OP posts:
Dorosomethingbeautiful · 08/11/2025 15:58

Red bush is really good

Femalefootyfan · 08/11/2025 15:58

Rooibos tea is my go to, it’s caffeine free, I think it’s a South Africa tea but I take bags of it with me everywhere. It doesn’t have a strong flavour of a thing in particular but I find it quite refreshing, I barely drink any other tea now.

VegQueen · 08/11/2025 16:08

Well it depends what kind of flavours you like. I like pukka herbal teas and my favourite flavours are the three mint and one called after dinner that has fennel and aniseed. Ginger and lemon teas are nice too. I personally don’t like any that are fruity. You can also just have decaffeinated tea/coffee.

Jellicoo · 08/11/2025 16:15

I'm not good with herbal tea but I find lemon and ginger is the best.

The diet I'm doing recommends Marigold Swiss Bouillon, basically veg stock which sounds weird but I quite like it. Bovril's another old school option.

I know you said no squash but bottlegreen cordials work well. I think can be quite high calorie but you only need a little.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 08/11/2025 16:15

We make alchol-free "apple cider" by warming apple juice and adding a bit of cinnamon. My dc loves it and I do, too! 🙂

chattyness · 08/11/2025 16:17

Clipper lemon and ginger tea is lovely

waitam · 08/11/2025 16:18

Lemon and ginger is my favourite. The Clipper one is the best.

waitam · 08/11/2025 16:19

X post @chattyness - we have good taste!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 08/11/2025 16:23

Adding to the ginger tea suggestions, this is really nice;

Make a cup of strong ginger tea from a bag. Add it to a pan with mango juice, fresh ginger sliced and bashed up with a rolling pin, sliced lime/orange/lemon/etc and bring to just below boiling point. You could add a cinnamon stick, cloves or some ground ginger as well.

Not only is it really nice, it gives a big vitamin C hit and the heat/hot taste gives you a flush of endorphins.

Another one is to use elderberry tincture/syrup and add hot but not boiling water to it.

Jellicoo · 08/11/2025 16:41

@NeverDropYourMooncup these all sound lovely, proper versions of things I approximate with bottlegreen.

janed9388 · 08/11/2025 16:44

Miso, Itsu do a nice one. I add a bit of chilli when it's cold

BakingHotInSunnyClimate · 08/11/2025 17:06

Ive not drunk “builders brew” T-bags for well over ten years..
I used to buy herbal and or fruit t-bags, and I admit that the cherry ones are lovely to sup..
However, I’ve cut down on purchasing these bags, unless there’s a particularly unusual one.

I find them expensive, especially if you buy bags that claim to have no microplastics..

So, I’ve just grown plants that I can’t make a brew from.

Mint
Basil
Sage
Thyme
Rosamary
Lemon Balm
Fig Leaf
Bay Leaf
Pine Needle
and there’s loads more that I’d like to try.
Obviously you’ll need to look up the pros and cons of consuming whatever tea you choose, as they may have adverse effects on those with certain health conditions or of course in pregnancy, one needs extra care.

Another hot comforting drink is “Golden Milk”, which is basically turmeric… I have mine in plant milk, and there are basic recipes, but also variations where eg cinnamon can be a nice addition in the colder months.
For me, the golden milk, is the most comforting, the teas are mostly refreshing, even tho it’s a warm drink.

with ALL of the above, I sweeten with raw unprocessed honey, but do ensure that the drink is cool enough to drink before adding, else you’ll probably destroy the benefits of the raw honey with a too hot liquid.

If you are not a fan of honey, then you can drink it as hot as you are comfortable with.

Have fun experimenting, there’s lots of options I’ve probably never heard of yet.

PS in winter, I find the Thyme tea particularly helpful to make breathing easier when of you get blocked airways.
i Aldo brew it in a wider cup, so that I can breathe in the Thyme aroma= a double benefit 🤣

Momrage · 08/11/2025 17:10

efeslight · 08/11/2025 15:40

Ginger tea with only raw ginger
Boiled water left to cool a little is surprisingly good

Love this idea, have got a pot cooling now. Thanks

OP posts:
CherryogDog · 08/11/2025 17:11

Decaff chai is nice.

mamaduckbone · 08/11/2025 17:14

I don't like any herbal or fruit teas (Maybe camomile at a push) but I just drink decaf Yorkshire tea and decaf coffee.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/11/2025 17:18

Rather than sickly sweet hot chocolate, make cocoa. Just a good heaped teaspoon of cocoa mixed to a smooth paste with a little milk or hot water, then blend in milk of whatever type you prefer (or milk and water) and microwave or heat on the hob. You can add a bit o nutmeg or other spice if you like.

i know you said even decaf coffee is problematic at the moment but once you’ve adjusted then a good decaf can be nice. DH had to quit caffeine and now likes the Raw Bean decaf made properly in an aeropress. I sometimes cross decaf coffee and cocoa to make a flavourful mocha.

Mumblememum · 08/11/2025 17:20

I drank Ovaltine when pregnant after getting a free sachet in a pregnancy gift bag. Tastes like maltesers, you can make with milk or hot water.

HanSB · 08/11/2025 17:22

I like savoury - a hot broth, usually chicken, veg stock or miso.

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