I can tell winter is coming days before the calendar says so.
It’s that moment when I walk into the kitchen in the early morning, the tile is colder than it was the day before, and I instinctively reach for a mug instead of a tumbler.
There’s something about this season that draws us toward heat, spice, and bundling up at home. For years, I treated that instinct like a temptation to resist, as if weight loss demanded the same chilled protein shake no matter how much my body begged for something warm.
Then I learned better.
The body isn’t irrational in winter. That pull toward cozy isn’t temptation, it’s your body dropping a clue. Leaning into it, instead of fighting it, can support weight loss.
Warm, nutrient-dense drinks can steady the hormonal fluctuations that make fat loss harder. They can smooth blood sugar cravings. They reduce inflammatory triggers, and they fortify gut health. The right drink can boost your body’s machinery that drives metabolic efficiency.
When you understand the biology (and have the right recipes on hand), the season doesn’t look like an obstacle on your health journey anymore. It looks like a big step forward.
Today, I’ll share 5 festive drinks that will help you thrive this winter and reach your weight loss goals too.
Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
Before protein shakes existed, ancient cultures sipped long-simmered broths. It was strength and recovery in a bowl—comforting, restorative, and warming on freezing winter nights.
Today, we know why: protein triggers the thermic effect of food, meaning your body burns more calories just digesting it. It also stabilizes blood sugar and boosts satiety hormones like peptide YY.
A protein-rich hot chocolate blends comfort with metabolic support. Bone broth protein, specifically, contains glycine and proline—amino acids that help regulate inflammation and support restorative sleep. And as we know, sleep causes fat-burning hormones to reset, cortisol to drop, and cravings to reduce.
Why This Drink Supports Fat Loss:
- Increased satiety and reduced cravings
- Improved sleep quality (because of the glycine)
- Reduced inflammation and better gut health
- Stable blood sugar and less frequent cravings
- Boosted calorie burn through protein digestion
Gingerbread Protein Latte
Hot coffee in hand makes freezing mornings feel cozy. That said, coffee early in the day on an empty stomach can spike your stress in the following hours. This is because coffee stimulates a rapid release of stress hormones (like cortisol and adrenaline), and the caffeine is absorbed faster without food to buffer it.
This is bad news for your waistline. Cortisol and adrenaline hinder weight loss because they cause fat to accumulate, especially in the midsection. Stress hormones also lead to increased appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods. They also disrupt sleep and decrease motivation to exercise.
Pair coffee with protein, though? You get a bump up in your protein intake for the day plus more stable blood sugar and lower stress hormones.
Here’s the fix for your cup of joe:
- Pop your hot coffee in your favorite mug.
- Add a scoop of gingerbread protein powder (or your favorite protein powder)
- Mix with a handheld frother or in the blender, then top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a luxury protein latte.
Why This Drink Supports Fat Loss:
- Boosted metabolic rate
- Enhanced energy without the stress hormone rollercoaster
- Improved workout energy
- Balanced blood sugar
Salted Caramel Collagen Matcha
Matcha has epic roots. Monks drank it for focus. Samurai used it for endurance.
This drink brings energy to your day. Compared to cortisol-spiking coffee, matcha combines caffeine with L-theanine—an amino acid that smooths out caffeine’s intensity and keeps you calm but alert.
That steady energy curve matters for fat loss. It keeps energy, blood sugar, and hunger cues stable. You’ll make better food choices more easily throughout the rest of the day.
Collagen adds another layer of support. It provides amino acids (like glycine and proline) that help keep your gut lining strong and your inflammation low. A calmer gut means clearer hunger cues, better digestion, less bloating, and fewer junk cravings. Collagen won’t magically burn fat, but it supports the structures that help you keep moving—your tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Together, matcha and collagen create a warm winter drink that will keep you alert, satisfied, and metabolically steady.
Here’s your recipe:
- Whisk 1 tsp of matcha powder into a few tablespoons of hot water to make a paste. Then, add another half cup of hot water.
- Heat and whisk a half cup of your favorite milk plus one serving of Salted Caramel Collagen.
- Combine in your favorite fall mug, and enjoy.
Why This Drink Supports Fat Loss:
- Boosted metabolic rate (thanks to the caffeine and catechins)
- Enhanced calm focus and fewer stress snacks
- Balanced blood sugar
- Supported joint comfort during activity and workouts
Lemon Ginger Mint Tea
There’s a reason lemon tea has stuck around for generations. If you’re a tea drinker, lean into this simple yet powerful brew. Lemon supports digestion and boosts vitamin C, ginger increases thermogenesis (your body’s heat production), and mint soothes the digestive tract and reduces bloating. It’s a trifecta of support for your weight loss journey and immune system when the months grow colder.
Make a mugful like this:
- Thinly slice one inch of ginger root.
- Steep a mint tea bag plus the ginger root in hot water for five minutes. Then strain.
- Squeeze in half a lemon.
- Add honey if you prefer a sweeter tea.
Why This Drink Supports Fat Loss:
- Supported digestion and reduced bloating
- Enhanced thermogenesis
- Lower infmallmation
- Curbed cravings (thanks to the ginger and mint)
Hydrating Holiday Punch
Electrolytes aren’t just for summer runners. They’re crucial in winter when heaters dry us out and hydration dips.
Dehydration increases hunger signals because the brain confuses thirst with hunger. It also raises cortisol, which pushes the body to store fat, especially around the midsection.
A mocktail made with Ultimia gives you the ritual without the alcohol. Electrolyte-powered mocktails solve your winter dehydration and make the process feel celebratory.
Why This Drink Supports Fat Loss:
- Reduced false hunger signals
- Supported cortisol balance
- Less alcohol consumption during the holiday months
Hungry for More Hot and Healthy Drinks?
Try these.
- Ultima Holiday Mocktails
- Kombucha Mocktail
- Apple Cider Vinegar Mocktails
- Hydrating Holiday Cocktail
- Golden Winter Harvest Juice
- Warming Winter Smoothie
- Golden Milk
- Cinnamon Chai Latte
Winter Doesn’t Have to Wage War With Your Weight Loss Plans…
Winter can be one of the most strategic seasons for fat loss. With the right recipes, you can support the systems that make fat loss easier, steadier, and sustainable while sipping on something snug.
Feeling more hopeful about your health goals?
They really are possible, and you really can do it! (You just need the right tools and solid support).
If you’re ready to see change in your own skin, join my LEAN program. You’ll get:
- Expert coaching (and daily, personal feedback)
- Nutrition training (everything you need to eat confidently for weight loss)
- A supportive community
- Science-backed strategies that work
Don’t plow through winter on your own. Let’s build the habits that keep you energized, motivated, and thriving, so that winter doesn’t slow you down.
*Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I don’t recommend products because I get a commission, I choose them because I believe in and use them.
