Homemade Fall Drinks That Taste Luxurious—Without the Coffeehouse Prices

Treat yourself to a well-made hot beverage this fall, without the big price tag.

By Robin Shreeves
Published October 15, 2025
Side view of a pumpkin spice latte

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

I opened the front door this morning to let the cat out and was greeted by a blast of chilly air like I haven’t felt in months. In addition to thinking, “It’s about time to take my sweaters out of storage,” I also thought about the hot drinks that accompany cold mornings. Coffee, for sure—I need a cup or three to get me going in the morning. But in cold weather, a hot drink isn't just fuel to get my synapses firing—it's comfort.

A hot drink becomes a treat when it’s cold, and these eight cozy fall hot beverages—including the best PSL you’ll ever have, special hot chocolates, and a spiced Korean aperitif—are definitely treats. And, making them at home is kinder on your wallet than buying them at a coffeehouse.

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  • Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Overhead view of pumpkin spice latte

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    Simmer real squash cubes—either butternut or red kuri—in whole milk and your choice of sweetener with warm autumnal spices to create a smooth mixture. Stir a portion into your coffee (and refrigerate the rest to use within five days) for the best homemade PSL you’ll ever have.

  • Chai

    Overhead view of chai

    Serious Eats / Ananta Gulati

    If you want an exemplary cup of chai, you’ll need two things: this method and the patience to follow it exactly. You’ll simmer, then boil, then simmer again, and then you’ll let the black tea leaves, water, sugar, milk, and your choice of spices rest before you enjoy that perfect cup of chai. However, it’s definitely worth it, and you can make a double batch, so the next day, you just need to reheat.

  • Easy Hot Chocolate

    Overhead shot of a red mug containing hot chocolate.

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    Once you add two simple ingredients—malted milk powder and a pinch of salt—to hot chocolate made with quality, finely chopped dark chocolate, sugar, and milk, you may never make it any other way again. The malt adds creaminess and toasty nuttiness, while the salt enhances all the flavors in the drink. After it’s in your mug, you can top the hot chocolate with mini marshmallows or whipped cream if you want to, and you know you want to.

  • Pistachio White Hot Chocolate

    Pistacchio white hot chocolate

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    Combine nutty, sweet pistachio cream with pistachio milk and white chocolate for a luscious hot chocolate that will warm you from the inside out. Top with light and airy cold foam made from half-and-half for added texture that takes the sweet, not-your-usual-hot-chocolate in your mug up a notch.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below

  • Champurrado (Mexican Hot Chocolate and Corn Drink)

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    Vicky Wasik

    If you want the thickest, richest hot chocolate you've ever had (think drinkable pudding), you must whip up this champurrado. Start by whisking masa harina (corn flour) with water, then whisk in milk, dark chocolate, brown sugar, and salt. Once it's done, you’ll froth it, pour it into mugs, sip, and wonder why hot chocolate isn't always this good.

  • Apple Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon-Ginger Punch)

    apple sujeonggwa

    This nonalcoholic Korean after-dinner drink is an easy-to-make, warm, spiced, aromatic cross between tea and punch. Simmer fresh ginger, charred cinnamon sticks, anise, cloves, and sugar in water for 20 minutes. Steep with apple chips before straining, reheating, and serving with a topping of pine nuts for something akin to apple pie in tea form.

  • Barbajada (Milanese Hot Chocolate-Coffee Drink)

    20170210-barbajada-milanese-coffee-cocoa-vicky-wasik-6.jpg
    Vicky Wasik

    The Barbajada is a combination of hot chocolate and coffee, but in Milan, they don’t just take a coffee and a hot chocolate and pour them together. Rather, they heat and whisk together quality cocoa powder (you’ll want one with a high fat content), sugar, milk, and strong coffee before pouring into mugs and topping with whipped cream for the perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

  • Spiced Mulled Apple Cider

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    Break out your slow cooker for this one (or be prepared to keep an eye on this cider as it heats on low on the stovetop). Combine high-quality apple cider with toasted spices and let it mull on high in the slow cooker for about four hours. Just before serving, add brandy—or bourbon or rum, if you prefer.  It tastes as good as it smells: like apple pie heaven.

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