Hot drinks that actually taste nice (no caffeine)

[Momrage]

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.

This sounds delicious, and could be a nice mulled alternative for DC.

I don't know why but the idea of drinking something savoury gives me the ick. Which makes no sense as I eat soup. Also can't stand fennel or liquorice.

Lots of ideas to try now, thanks all

I love bird and blend referenced above. I bought their mug infuser, £10, and have been making tea from supermarket herbs in pots as well, just pop a few sprigs of e.g. mint in the infuser and pour hot water over.
I have seen bags of lemon balm or hibiscus flowers on Amazon for tea, anyone tried these?

I like hot soya milk with a squidge of honey before bed.

Really? I’ll look into that as I drink about 1.5 litres a day of it.

Barleycup is delicious https://barleycup.com/

Ooh, @Itbeginswith what does it taste like, never heard of it. Do you add milk?

Look for the tea advent calendars, you can try one of each to find your new thing!

I’m not what I’d call a gardener 🤪

Thyme (loads of different varieties) I have found is easy to grow, and is there for you whatever the season.
I cut off about a couple of inches sprig.
No nasty pesticides on my own grown plants, so I give it a quick rinse and pat dry.
Take a mug, place the washed and dried sprig at the bottom.
Boil water, pour water onto the Thyme, to about two thirds of the way up.
wait about three to five mins, depending on how strong you want it.
then add cold water if you want to use raw honey.
Then add the amount of honey you desire.
Stir…. Then enjoy 😉

Thats pretty much the method I use with most herbs.. some instructions say simmer in a pan for ten minutes re some infusions, but I’ve not tried those yet.

Do you know anyone that would happily divide off some of their thyme bush for you?

I add milk but you can drink it without. I’m not sure how to describe the taste. I’d say it’s closer to coffee than tea though. I’ve recommended it to several people and they have all liked it.

This sounds amazing and I was about to order some - but I've just noticed it's got chicory root extract in it which really upsets my stomach.
I wonder if there's an alternative which doesn't have chicory in it..

I buy it from Holland and Barrett, @cheapskatemum - here.

Another vote for Bird and blend.
I've just had a cup of their mulled cider tea.
The caffeine free advent calendar would be good idea for you.

And yet another vote for Bird & Blend. I have the brewdini and a small teapot with an infuser insert. Also have a teapot at work and the fillable teabags. I get the monthly subscription, then buy a bigger version of my favourite. Just started a tin of the rooibos Gingerbread chai. Very warming.

If I wake in the night then I have a large mug of Bovril, I think the extra salt wards off my morning calf cramps.

Lemon and Ginger
Apple and BlackBerry
Chamomile and Orange Blosssom

I love:
Rooiboos vanilla tea
ginger tea - either fresh ginger or a good teabag brand like Dragonfly Lemon and Ginger
Fresh mint tea
Hot milk with cassia (sweet cinnamon) sprinkled on top with a bit of grated nutmeg.
Red berry teas like cranberry or blackcurrant - Twinings are fine, or Pukka teas.

Lemon verbena makes a lovely tea, just one or two leaves put in there will do it.

Vanilla rooibos is nice too.

In the evening I usually just drink boiled water.

Oh OP, you have to try chicory!! It is SO like coffee, but caffeine free. Amazing stuff. Weirdly you can hardly get it here but in Europe it is so common. French supermarkets have nearly as many types as they do of coffee, it’s super common. If you get a chance to stock up there, do - it is literally half the price. Here it is at H&B https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/prewetts-roasted-chicory-drink-60009371 Also very high in fibre so good for your gut.

The other ones that are good are the Celestial Tea. Bengal spice is delicious, but not sure if caffeine free, but they also do a decaf chai which is gorgeous. They sell them in Sostrene Grene, or you can get online.

Have never tried it, but when I hear chicory I think liquorice and fennel type flavours. Which I hate. Ami totally wrong @Bestnottalkaboutit?

Wasn't chicory the basis of ersatz coffee?

I like blackcurrant tea, but I think if you go for fruity/herbal teas - they don't suit everyone. I know quite a few people don't like fruity ones.

Camomile tea tastes of hay to me, and that is not a great thing.

I do like a hot Bovril in the depths of winter.

Pukka teas are nice.

Any of the tea pigs
DH often buys me a gift bundle for special occasions and I have a different one every night
Absolutely love them since I quit alcohol x

Another vote for Bovril.

Twining's do a selection of fruit and herbal teas, they come in a glass jar. They are not cheap but a good way to try new flavours.

twinings.co.uk/collections/filled-tea-jars?_gl=1d8uqy1_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bvIBhBJEiwAu5ayrKjWagnoAoizdMmR-stwbVTxltlQXdk7Y0vJpbZ3ksbsnUnCZYjCpRoCReEQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADyaO0QIWhEpgrFjTw_NrRkH9WQYu

I'd also recommend getting used to drinking plain hot water, it sort of resets your taste for hot drinks (just like drinking juice all the time can make water taste unpleasant)

Second the Polish shop. There's plenty of variety though some is just flavouring. I did drink a lot of quince flavoured lemonbalm tea when pregnant though 😆

Avoid some brands like Pukka as they seem to put liquorice root in all of their teas! Why!?

If you are going to try the hot water on its own then you could also try with a few drops of lemon juice or a slice of lemon in it, or lime, orange etc.

I shared a house with an Indian girl for a while, she would split a green cardamom pod with her thumb nail to add to her tea, I'm sure you could do the same with hot water.

I know, that is exactly what I was expecting - the bitterness of chicory leaves. Couldn’t be more different, it is truly very much like coffee. Maybe because it is made from the root? No hint of liquorice or fennel at all, you’ll be pleasantly surprised I hope! I’ve converted even hardened coffee drinkers to it.