Giving yourself permission to slow down is one of the most important (and overlooked) things you can do to restore balance and happiness in your busy, hectic, stressed life.  Slowing down doesn’t often come easily or naturally to those of us busy balancing work, family, a social life, and an infinite number of other things.  It’s so easy to let the days/weeks/seasons slip away so fast they go unnoticed.  But, taking time to stop and smell the fall pumpkin spice is important for both your mental and physical health.  Creating some fall hygge moments with something as simple as savoring a cozy fall drink with your friends and family will help you slow down, rejuvenate, and really appreciate the fall season — even if it’s just for a moment.

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What is Hygge?

You’ve likely heard about Hygge by now.  It’s a Danish concept of happiness, contentment, and togetherness.  The Danes know what they are talking about — Denmark is consistently ranked as the happiest country in the world.  Embracing the concept of Hygge is a great way to take some stress out of life, to slow down, and to savor the fall season, before it slips away into winter.

The great thing about creating Hygge in your life is that hygge things are by definition simple:  dim lighting, candles, cozy socks, comfort food, good company — nothing outrageous or in need of mega planning.  

This is where great fall drinks come into play.  You can create hygge moments with any of these amazing fall drinks as your centerpiece.   The enticing aromas of fall (cardamom, rosemary, pumpkin, cinnamon, etc), coupled with carving out 30 minutes to brew, mix, and enjoy your drink will create some hygge moments to help you relax and savor this fall.  Couple your fall drink with other hygge activities and you will feel the benefits of being present, slowing down, and rejuvenating your autumn:

• Curl up with a book or magazine while sipping your amazing fall drink.
• Pull out your coziest socks and slip them on while enjoying your drink in a favorite chair or quiet corner of the house
• Break out your fall/winter cozy blankets, and snuggle up on the couch while sipping your drink for a few minutes.
• Run/walk/hike outside before making your drink, and reward yourself with one of these fall drinks afterwards
• Invite a friend over to share in making and enjoying one of these drinks one afternoon or evening
• Set aside some time to watch your favorite movie with your cozy fall drink
• Light a fire and enjoy your drink by the fire, sans phone or laptop

 

With the help of some amazing bloggers in the blogosphere, here are three delicious categories of fall drinks (hot chocolates, fall iced drinks and cocktails, and fall hot drinks and cocktails) for you to choose from to start creating your Fall Hygge moments!

For some must-have hygge accessories, including the best coffee ever (Amazon aff. link) and the ultimate french press (Amazon aff. link) to make it in, read on below as well.

 

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BLACKBERRY HOT CHOCOLATE from Little Sugar Snaps

Chocolate and blackberries are a winning combination.  This Blackberry Hot Chocolate from Little Sugar Snaps is a mix of real blackberries, dark chocolate, and milk – stunning.

photo from Little Sugar Snaps

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SLOW COOKER WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE from Mom on Timeout

Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cardamom — the quintessence of fall.  This white hot chocolate from Mom on Timeout is made in your slow cooker, so plan ahead.  But slow cooking is so awesomely hygge – use the time while it’s simmering to find that book to read, or movie to watch, or light the fireplace!

photo from Mom on Timeout

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FRENCH DRINKING CHOCOLATE from A Spicy Perspective

Europeans know how to Hygge – the long lunches, red wine, and long walks through cobblestoned streets, ahh the european life.  This french drinking chocolate from A Spicy Perspective is indulgent and delicious, everything you need to add a spectacular hygge moment to your fall.

photo from A Spicy Perspective

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RED VELVET HOT CHOCOLATE from The Green Life

So beautiful, isn’t it?  Just looking at a mug of this red velvet hot chocolate from The Green Life makes me de-stress.  Beets are the secret ingredient here – but don’t let it put you off, beets and chocolate are a surprisingly delicious combination, and beets also have detoxifying properties – perfect for treating yourself well as well as rejuvenating.

photo from The Green Life

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CINNAMON INFUSED ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE from Just a Little Bit of Bacon

This is the ultimate in decadence – it’s a thick Cinnamon Infused Italian Hot Chocolate from Just a Little Bit of Bacon that you’ll need to use a spoon with.  And the infusion of cinnamon takes it over the top as an amazing indulgent fall treat.  

photo from Just a Little Bit of Bacon

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ORANGE HOT COCOA from Super Healthy Kids

This is a soul-warming  Orange Hot Cocoa from Super Healthy Kids with a hint of orange flavor — orange and chocolate is a classic and delicious combination.  Creamy and luscious – the perfect centerpiece to a hygge moment.

photo from Super Healthy Kids

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STRAWBERRY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE from The Organic Dietician

With real food ingredients, and this beautiful pink color, how can you not feel happy and relaxed while drinking this delicious Strawberry White Hot Chocolate from The Organic Dietician ?

photo from The Organic Dietician

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APPLE PIE PUNCH from Frugal Mom Eh

This Apple Pie Punch from Frugal Mom Eh is an amazing drink with apple cider, pear nectar and ginger ale — it tastes just like apple pie, and is super-easy to make.  

photo from Frugal Mom Eh

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THANKSGIVING PUNCH FOR A CROWD from I Heart Naptime

This Thanksgiving Punch from I Heart Naptime tastes like pure fall, and can be served chilled or warmed, depending on your mood!  It’s absolutely terrific for Thanksgiving, and really for any fall celebration.

photo from I Heart Naptime

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LEMON AND ROSEMARY BOURBON SOUR from Foxes Love Lemons

Lemon, Rosemary, and Bourbon – what’s not to like?  Plus, making the rosemary simple syrup with make your kitchen smell amazing.  And if you aren’t really a bourbon drinker, don’t be scared off by this – the combination works amazingly well, creating a smooth and delicious Lemon and Rosemary Bourbon Sour from Foxes Love Lemons, sure to impress (if you care to share it!)

photo from Foxes Love Lemons

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APPLE CIDER, BOURBON, & AMARETTO COCKTAILS W/ BRULEED ORANGES from Floating Kitchen

OK, this one sounds intimidating, I know – but be brave – it will be worth it when you sit down and taste this apple cider, bourbon, and amaretto fall cocktail from Floating Kitchen.  The drink itself is actually easy with no hard-to-find or fussy ingredients. The bruleed oranges add a magical touch, and only require a bit of work that is definitely worth the small amount of extra effort.

photo from Floating Kitchen

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GINGERED PEACH BOURBON THYME SMASH from Half Baked Harvest

This gingered peach bourbon thyme smash from Half Baked Harvest pairs some great fall flavors with ginger and thyme, and the addition of peach sweetness makes it a definite winner.  

photo from Half Baked Harvest

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ROAST AND TOAST COCKTAIL from Gastronom

This is a bourbon and coffee cocktail from Gastronom – I so love the name of it.  And you’ll love the combination of toasted marshmallow and cold brew coffee.  Gastronom even shows you how to make your own amazing marshmallows for this.

photo from Gastronom

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CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER PUNCH from Diethood

This is a great cranberry apple cider punch from Diethood — perfect for a crowd, which you can make either alcohol-free or with sparkling wine.  It’s a fantastic refreshing fall drink to savor in your hygge moment.

photo from Diethood

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POMEGRANATE GIN FIZZ from Elephantastic Vegan

While this may not be your traditional fall drink, the flavor of pomegranate to me always evokes fall.  This beautiful  pomegranate gin fizz from Elephantastic Vegan is also a great way to get some antioxidants from those fresh pomegranate seeds!

photo from Elephantastic Vegan

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GRAPEFRUIT AND SAGE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL from Floating Kitchen

A fresh and festive grapefruit and sage champagne cocktail from Floating Kitchen, which combines the freshness of grapefruit with the warmth and aromatics of sage, plus champagne — whats not to like?!

photo from Floating Kitchen

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REFRESHING FIG SIDECAR from Sugar and Charm

Figs are a classic fall ingredient, and when paired with cognac makes for a very special and delicious fig sidecar from Sugar and Charm.  Sophisticated sipping in your hygge fall moment.

photo from Sugar and Charm

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HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER from Catching Seeds

What would a fall drink list be without spiced apple cider?  The epitome of a warm, cozy, and fragrant drink that has the added benefit of making your house smell amazing as you simmer it.  Get ready to curl up under a blanket with this hot spiced apple cider from Catching Seeds in hand and enjoy.

photo from Catching Seeds

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SLOW COOKER CRANBERRY APPLE CIDER from The Recipe Rebel

Apples, cranberry, and orange juice cook together into this slow cooker cranberry apple cider from The Recipe Rebel = it will soothe your soul.

photo from The Recipe Rebel

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ROOIBOS CARDAMOM BLENDER LATTE from Nyssa’s Kitchen

A fancy and delicious tea-based Rooibos Cardamom Blender Latte from Nyssa’s Kitchen that won’t cost you a fortune, and you can whip up in no time.  Cardamom is also a heavenly calming spice, often known as the ‘queen of spices’ — it’s one of my favorites.

photo from Nyssa’s Kitchen

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SWEET CINNAMON MILK TEA from Hello Little Home

Sometimes you just need a big hug to get through your day.  This Sweet Cinnamon Milk Tea from Hello Little Home is like a big hug in a mug.  Treat yourself to a cup and feel your worries and stress melt away.

photo from Hello Little Home

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HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE FRENCH PRESS LATTE from Brewing Happiness

This Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Coffee combination from Brewing Happiness is a delicious way to warm you inside and get you back on track to whatever you need to get going on.

photo from Brewing Happiness

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CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE from With Salt and Wit

This Cinnamon Dolce Latte from With Salt and Wit is just like your favorite coffee-house drink, but made with homemade delicious cinnamon syrup and ready to contribute to your moment of peace at home.

photo from With Salt and Wit

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WHITE CHOCOLATE LATTE from Julie’s Eats and Treats

 Homemade White Chocolate Latte from Julie’s Eats and Treats anytime, anywhere – now that’s what i’m talking about!

 

photo from Julie’s Eats and Treats

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SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE from The Busy Baker

Pumpkin spice anything is classic fall.  This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte from The Busy Baker cooks slowly in your crockpot, while it diffuses its heavenly aroma throughout your home — so invite some friends to share in the delicousness, or just enjoy in your pjs with a great book.

photo from The Busy Baker

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LONDON FOG from Dreams Factory

Doesn’t the name “London Fog” just instantly make you want to get cozy and unwind?  This London Fog from Dreams Factory (aka Earl Gray Tea Latte) has an amazing secret ingredient that takes it over the top.  

photo from Dreams Factory

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GINGER PEAR CIDER WITH VANILLA BEAN from The First Mess

Pears and Ginger combine with other delicious fall flavors in this warm and blended Ginger Pear Cider with Vanilla Bean from The First Mess, perfect for sipping next to the fireplace.

photo from The First Mess

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Hygge moments call for a beautiful atmosphere — check out these mugs, coffee, teapots, and other accessories to kick up your fall hygge game.

 

Coffee

Many of these drinks call for coffee, and there’s nothing better than a delicious cup of coffee to make you feel ready to face the world.  My absolute favorite coffee is Cafe Du Monde from New Orleans (Amazon aff. link) — the original version in the yellow can, and a french roast version in the blue can.  Absolutely delicious — we always have guests asking about our coffee. Cafe du Monde for the win!

French Press

I like to make my coffee in a French Press like this beautiful one (Amazon aff. link) – it’s the one I use and it keeps my coffee hot pretty much all day, I love it.  This one (Amazon aff. link) is slightly less pricey, but still beautiful.  The french press method is no fuss, quick, and makes the smoothest cup of coffee you’ll ever taste.  Plus, I love the european flair of a french press — makes for great hygge!

Coffee and Tea Mugs

Having a hygge moment means indulging in something you absolutely love, that makes you feel happy inside.  A warm cozy drink without the appropriate, beautiful mug to drink it out of just doesn’t cut it. Treat yourself to a beautiful mug to enhance your fall hygge moments!  The below are a few of my favorites from World Market:

• Color Block Knotted Handle Belly Mugs Set of 4 (aff. link)
• Blush and Icy Blue Jolly Hearts Mugs Set of 2 (aff. link)
• Scandi Folklore Animal Mugs Set of 4 (aff. link)
• Pad Print Mugs Set of 3 (aff. link)
• Gnome Infuser Mugs Set of 2 (aff. link)
• Fuji Tea Cups Set of 4 (aff. link)

 

Tea Infusers

• Copper Ball Tea Infuser with Handle (aff. link)
• Owl Gold Mesh Tea Infuser (aff. link)

 

Cocktail Glasses

• Grant Double Old Fashioned Glasses Set of 4 (aff. link)
• Moscow Mule mug (aff. link)
• Metallic Confetti Stemless Wine Glasses Set of 4 (aff. link)

 

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De-stressing is important for your overall health — read about some additional super-easy destressing tips as you hygge your fall.

I hope you find some inspiration to slow down, enjoy your fall, and create some relaxing hygge moments to make this beautiful season last just a bit longer for you!

Cheers,