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Hot Buttered Lemonade and More Warm Beverages for Winter
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Let’s be honest—most of us think of lemonade as the ultimate summer drink. But what if I told you this classic can do double duty? Enter one of our favorite warm beverages, Hot Buttered Lemonade—a cozy, citrus-forward twist on the classic that proves even lemonade can thrive on chilly nights.
This recipe flips the script on hot drinks. It’s sweetened with honey, kissed with a cinnamon stick, and finished with a touch of butter that melts across the top like a warm hug. The result? A rich, tangy, warming drink that feels like sipping on sunshine.
When Life Hands You Lemons… Warm Them Up
Here in California, winter is citrus season—peak time for fresh lemon juice, bright zest, and the kind of fruit that reminds you our farmers work magic even when the rest of the country is buried in snow. Lemons grown in the Golden State aren’t just juicy—they’re vibrant, flavorful, and bursting with Vitamin C.
So, while the rest of the world might be sipping hot cocoa, we’re over here transforming California lemons into the best warm beverage of the season. This recipe blends lemon juice, hot water, honey, and a few cinnamon sticks until the kitchen smells citrusy and bright. The final flourish—a pat of butter—melts slowly, swirling across the surface. Take that first sip, and you’ll wonder why this wasn’t already your favorite drink.
California’s Secret Ingredient: Sunshine
California’s citrus industry is nothing short of legendary. For over a century, citrus has flourished in the San Joaquin Valley. In fact, the Golden State produces 80% of all the fresh citrus sold in the United States, from juicy oranges to fragrant lemons.
And California grows over 92% of the lemons available across the country, ensuring that every slice, squeeze, and zest brings a bit of West Coast sunshine to your table.
More Warm Beverages To Serve This Season:
The Coziest Glogg Recipe
When the chill of winter sets in, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a warm, aromatic drink that feels like a hug in a mug. Meet Glogg (or Glögg, if you want to get fancy with it). It’s a classic Scandinavian mulled wine that’s rich, spiced, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.
Warm Winter Mulled Wine
When temps start to plummet, you’re faced with some very important decisions. You can either pile on an extra seven layers or you can swap that Raspberry Frosé that you’ve been sipping on all summer for G-Free Foodie’s new favorite: Warm Winter Wine.
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
A cocktail that doubles as dessert? We’re in. This recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate with Red Wine is so incredible, we can’t think of a better reason to toast marshmallows. It’s from our friends at California Wines – and they know a thing or two about wine cocktails!
Pumpkin Spice Mulled Wine
This easy-to-make recipe was created with Chardonnay from the Paso Robles region. It is the type of simple sippin’ that warms you from the inside out even on a crisp fall day.
Slow Cooker Mulled Cider
Apple cider, ginger, warm spices, and citrus simmer in a slow cooker to make this easy, fragrant mulled cider.
A Toast to California Citrus
This time of year, when the air turns crisp and the sunsets come early, we crave more than just warm drinks to fill our cup—we crave connection, comfort, and a little California sunshine.
So, grab your lemons, honey, and a cinnamon stick or two. Stir up a batch of Hot Buttered Lemonade, wrap your hands around that warm mug, and savor the moment. Whether you’re gathered with friends around a fire or just taking five minutes to yourself, this warming drink is the perfect sip.
Want To Get In The Groove For Sipping? Check Out This Spotify Playlist From CA GROWN!
Craving more delicious warm beverages for the cooler weather ahead? Check out our Pinterest for more CA GROWN recipes.
Got your own recipe for a warm beverage we should try? Snap a pic and tag us with #CAGROWN—we’d love to see what you’re mixing up.
Hot Buttered Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice from 5-6 large lemons
- 2 tsp grated lemon zest
- ¼ cup honey
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 5-6 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cups water
- 2 TBSP unsalted butter diced
- Additional lemon orange, apple, pear, jalapeño or other seasonal garnish, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for desired sweetness and concentration.
- Transfer the lemonade to a small punch bowl and garnish with sliced lemon or seasonal fruit. Ladle into individual serving glasses, topping each with a small pat of butter.
Nutrition
CA GROWN Lemonade
In the mood for a cold, frosty glass of lemonade instead? You should check out our classic lemonade recipe. Timeless, easy sipping.
This recipe sounds a little crazy if you’ve never tried it, but it’s so delicious and soothing.