Winter Warmers: Three functional drinks for Fireside Nights

From chai lattes with collagen to alcohol-free mulled wine made with MCT oil, adding targeted supplements to your fireside drinks is an easy way to support your body through the cold weather months.

If you’re looking for nourishing, alcohol-free drink ideas for your next night in, join Registered Nutritionists Faye Murton and Izzy Hartnoll around the fireplace as they share their favourite functional drink recipes - each one perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Why make a functional drink in winter?

When the temperature drops and the light shifts, our bodies need a little extra help to stay warm, nourished and energised. That’s where functional drinks come in, elevating your favourite winter warmers with targeted nutritional support.

Functional ingredients we love to add to our drinks year-round include creatine, collagen and MCT. Each one blends easily into coffee, hot chocolate, smoothies or a functional mocktail without significantly changing their taste.

Creatine: Builds focus, stamina and daily performance by supporting energy-demanding tissues, including the brain and immune system.

Collagen: Supports the body to repair and renew by providing structural support for the skin, hair, nails, joints, bones and gut

MCT oil: Fuels the mind and body by providing a readily available source of energy.

Three functional winter drinks to try 

Apple Cider with Creatine 

This alcohol-free apple cider is perfect for sharing with friends on a cold evening. Warming and sweet, it combines antioxidant cloves with anti-inflammatory cinnamon, neutral-tasting True Creatine+ and soothing honey to support energy and immune function as the nights draw in.

Try the recipe:

Serves 5 

Ingredients:

+ 250ml cloudy apple juice

+ 5 cloves

+ Generous half of a cinnamon stick

+ 1 ¼ tsp honey

+ 125ml hot water

+ 1 serving (6g)  of True Creatine+ per drink

Method:

Step 1: Brew: Make a large batch using: apple squash, cloves, cinnamon sticks, honey and hot water. 

Step 2: Steep: Let this sit for roughly 2 hours. 

Step 3: Serve: Add 60ml to a mug, 1 serving of True Creatine+ and top up with hot water.

Why we love this recipe
When the weather turns and the days get darker, it can leave many of us feeling lethargic and run down. With cinnamon and cloves, this is the perfect drink to pour when you need some spicy warmth.

Mulled Wine made with MCT Oil

You know the benefits of bulleting your coffee with MCT oil, but did you know that you can also add MCT oil to your mulled wine? This functional twist on the classic recipe is easy to make and a great-tasting way to support your energy on cold evenings.

Try the recipe:

Serves 5

Ingredients:

+ 250ml pomegranate juice

+ 2-3 fresh orange slices (keep the skin on)

+ 10 cloves

+ 1 ¼ cinnamon sticks

+ 2 ⅕ brown sugar

+ 1 serving (5ml) per drink of True MCT Oil 

Method

Step 1: Brew: Mix together pomegranate juice, oranges, cloves, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar and hot water. 

Step 2: Steep: Let this sit for roughly 2 hours 

Step 3: Serve: Add 100ml to a mug, 1 serving of True MCT Oil and top up with hot water.

Nutritionists' tip: Stick the cloves into the skin of the oranges

Why we love this recipe 
Nothing beats the nostalgic taste of a mulled wine, and this recipe brings all the flavours with additional nutrients from the plant-based ingredients. Pomegranate juice is high in antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins and some key minerals, making this a great choice this festive season, when you’d like a non-alcoholic option - Izzy Hartnoll

Chai Latte with Collagen

If you love adding collagen to your coffee,  but are looking to curb your caffeine, this fireside drink is for you. Our warming spiced chai recipe is the perfect caffeine-free drink for a cold winter’s day. We like to make ours with True Collagen, supporting whole-body health with every comforting sip.

Try the recipe:

Makes 1 drink 

Ingredients:

For the chai

+ 2-3tbsp of Chai Maple Syrup (below)

+ 125ml milk of your choice

+ 5g of True Collagen 

+ 50ml of water

+ 1 black tea bag

For the syrup 

+ 150ml water

+ 60ml maple syrup

+ 1 tsp ground cinnamon

+ 0.35 tsp ground ginger 

+ 0.25 tsp ground cardamom

+ 1 pinch ground pepper

Method:

First, make your Chai Maple Syrup 

Step 1: Spice 

In a saucepan, add the water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes. 

Step 2: Sweeten 

Take the pan off the heat, stir in the maple syrup while the liquid is still warm. 

Step 3: Store 

Pour through a fine sieve lined with a coffee filter. Let it cool, bottle and keep in the fridge. Shake before using.

Next, brew your chai.

Step 1: Brew

In a small saucepan, bring 50ml of water to a boil. Add the tea bag, lower the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until deep brown. 

Step 2: Simmer

Remove the tea bag. Pour in the milk and gently heat until hot but not boiling. 

Step 3: Add your collagen 

Take the pan off the heat and whisk or stir in 5g of True Collagen.

Step 4: Flavour

Stir in 2-3 tbsp of chai maple syrup, then taste and adjust.

Step 5: Serve

Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Why we love this recipe
Inspired by the slow ritual of making chai, these warming spices are perfect for the cold autumnal evenings. Ginger, my favourite winter spice, makes this drink feel comforting with a little bit of heat. 

Faye Murton Nutritionist

Closing thoughts 

We hope you love our functional recipes. For more winter drink inspiration, explore our functional blends, including Coffee + Collagen, Chaga + Collagen, and Matcha + Collagen. Alternatively, head over to our functional mocktail guide to discover recipe inspiration for your next alcohol-free gathering.