Australia’s autumn months are unpredictable. While March 1 is the official beginning of the autumn season, the days are still longer than the nights and summer’s hot days often linger right through March and into early April. However, autumn is a time of weather transition as the country experiences dramatic changes in temperature from one day to the next.
While the north of the country slowly moves from the wet season into the dry season, the leaves on deciduous trees in the southern states change from their luscious greens to reds, yellows and oranges in preparation for the cold winter months.
It’s also a time when we can enjoy a delicious fresh salad one day, followed by a hearty beef stew the next based on the temperamental nature of the weather. The same applies for the drinks we make to quench our thirsts. Sometimes we drink to relieve us from the heat, while other times it’s to fight the cold as the tasty beverage warms us from the inside out.
To celebrate the return of this most charismatic and fickle season, here are four hot and cold autumn drink recipes for adults and children we’re sure you’ll absolutely adore.
Autumn drink recipes for adults
Warm and Spice Autumn Punch
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
2 oranges
8 whole cloves
6 cups of apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 ¼ cups pineapple juice
Directions
- Stud the oranges with cloves and bake in preheated 175°C (350°F) oven for 30 minutes.
- Combine apple juice and cinnamon stick in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add honey, nutmeg, lemon juice and pineapple juice.
- Slice the top and bottom off the baked oranges.
- Serve in a punch bowl with the oranges swimming in the punch.
Non-alcoholic Apple Cider Sangria
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 granny smith apple
1 honey crisp apple
1 orange
1 pear
1 pomegranate
750ml non-alcoholic apple cider
500ml sparkling water
Directions
- In a serving jug add diced apples (skin on), sliced orange and chopped and skinned pomegranate.
- Add apple cider and sparkling water.
- Chill in refrigerator.
- Pour into glasses to serve.
Autumn drink recipes for kids
Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups of milk
½ cup hot chocolate powder
5 Oreo biscuits
whipping cream
Directions
- Warm milk in a pot on a low heat, then stir in chocolate powder.
- Grind 4 Oreo biscuits in a blender until they are a fine powder, add to the warm milk.
- Pour into mugs, top with whipping cream.
- Crush the remaining Oreo biscuit and sprinkle on top.
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade
Prep time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
350g fresh raspberries
1 cup chilled fresh lemon juice
½ cup cold water
½ cup honey
1L sparkling water
Fresh mint and ice for serving
Directions
- Puree raspberries in a food processor, then force through a fine mesh into a bowl.
- Mix water and honey into a serving jug, then mix until blended.
- Add sparkling water, lemon juice and raspberry juice and stir.
- Serve with ice and fresh mint.
Delicious hot and cold drinks at Lantern Club
If you need somewhere to relax and enjoy a hot or cold drink without going to the trouble of making one of these autumn drink recipes yourself the staff at MàZi will be only too happy to serve you. Enjoy a delicious coffee, artisanal loose-leaf tea, hot chocolate, chai latte, or an iced coffee or chocolate at MàZi Café from 8.30am – 9.00pm every day of the week. We even have babycinos served with marshmallows just for the toddlers!
While you’re there, why not pair your drink with a scoop or two of gelato, or one of our French pastries, cakes, tarts and slices for the ultimate sweet treat? Swing by and check out our chalkboard for our seasonally inspired drinks and tasty dishes prepared just for you.
We look forward to serving you at MàZi Café this autumn.
© Lantern Club, Roselands