Sweater season is just around the corner and what better way to get festive than with your favourite cosy drinks? But since it's always best to reserve the indulgences for the month of December (who can resist Christmas party feasts, boxing day left overs and bottomless New Years cocktails?), November isn't an ideal time to start binging on tasty sugary drinks.

At Nyrelle, jewellery is our forte, but we also love a good pumpkin spiced latte or a rich hot chocolate. So we came up with some delicious guilt-free recipes that play on classic favourites. Made with nut milks and dates or honey instead of processed sugars, these healthy alternatives are just as delectable as the originals and are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

1. Maple Apple Pie Smoothie

There's no better flavour combination than apples, cinnamon and maple syrup. This healthy blended smoothie is a take on a classic apple pie (minus all the added calories), a perfect pick-me-up to get your mornings going. Featuring naturally sweet apples, a banana for creaminess, and a dash of maple syrup for extra fall flavour, it's also packed with cinnamon, which regulates your blood sugar levels, speeds up your metabolism and reduces inflammation. Simply throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 pink lady apple (peeled, cored and chopped)
  • 1 frozen banana (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup for sweetness (or honey or agave if preferred).

2. Cinnamon Coconut Latte

This dairy-free latte is the ultimate way to elevate your coffee game in the mornings. It's loaded with antioxidant-rich cinnamon, a shot of coffee for your caffein-fix, and coconut milk as a creamy milk alternative. Simply brew some coffee in a coffee maker or French press (or a Nespresso shot will do the trick), then toss everything into a blender and blend on high for 15-30 seconds until creamy and frothy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 espresso shot or 1 cup strongly brewed coffee
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (or almond milk if preferred)
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

3. Wholesome Chai Tea Latte (Hot or iced)

Sugar, spice and everything nice; nothing beats a chai latte to keep you cosy when temperatures start to dip. This healthy twist on the the traditional recipe features almond milk instead of cow's milk, honey instead of processed sugar, and freshly ground spices that have a ton of health benefits and medicinal properties. Steep the tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes. Combine the steeped tea with the rest of the ingredients in a blender and blend for 2 minutes until smooth. Add additional spices or sweeteners if you wish, and serve steaming hot or over ice.

Ingredients:

  • 1 black tea bag (steeped in 1 cup hot water)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom powder
  • pinch ground nutmeg
  • pinch ground cloves

4. Healthy Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

This fibre-rich hot chocolate is so decadent you won't believe it's actually good for you. Creamy hazelnut milk gives it a Nutella-esque flavour, and dates – which are packed with nutrients, fibre and antioxidants – provide sweetness without making it sickly sweet. Trust us on this one – don't forget the pinch of salt, it will do wonders to elevate the rich chocolatey flavour. Simple blend all the ingredients together in a blender and heat lightly in a microwave or sauce pan before serving.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup hazelnut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 pitted dates (roughly chopped)
  • pinch sea salt (to enhance the chocolate flavour)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5. Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie

Last but not least, you can't get more festive than pumpkin spice. While everyone else fights over Starbuck's ever popular version of the fall classic, why not skip the lines (and the calories) with this healthy yet delicious alternative. This pumpkin spiced smoothie has tons of flavour and none of the guilt; fresh ginger and ground cinnamon give a spicy, healthy kick, whilst yoghurt and pumpkin puree add creaminess. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and drink daily if you feel so inclined.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup milk of choice
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (to taste)
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger (peeled)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon