It’s the season for sick kids. UGH! My kids have been sick off and on for about a week now. They are both in elementary school so I know viruses go around but I want to help them feel better too!

They’ll have a fever for a day, be fine the next, then have a fever again and coughing & runny noses for a couple days. It seems like kids colds are never ending.

When my kids have sore throats, don’t feel like eating and are coughing a lot, warm drinks can help them feel more comfortable. I didn’t have my usual “kid friendly” tea and I didn’t want a drink with a lot of added sugar like sports drinks. So I was on the hunt for some alternate kid friendly warm drinks.

Whether you’re looking for warm drinks for toddler coughs or for older kids, this is a good starter list with 7 delicious warm drinks for sick kids. Add or subtract ingredients/flavors you know they’ll like.

1.Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup water

• 3/4 cup lemonade

• 1 citrus mint tea bag

• 1 peach-flavored tea bag

• 1 tablespoon honey

• Lemon slices, for serving

• 1 drop peppermint extract (optional)

  
  

  INSTRUCTIONS:

• Bring water and lemonade to a simmer in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover and steep for 3 minutes.

• Discard tea bags, add honey and stir until everything is dissolved. Add peppermint extract here, if using. Divide the tea into 2 mugs and serve immediately. Add a slice of lemon to each cup.

*This is my kid’s favorite warm drink when they are sick!*

2.Sore Throat Hot Cider

INGREDIENTS:

1 ¼ CUP ORANGE JUICE

1 ¼ CUP APPLE JUICE

1 TBS LEMON JUICE

1 TBS HONEY

⅛ TSP GROUND CINNAMON 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Using a glass cup, mix orange juice, apple juice and lemon juice.

2. Carefully heat in the microwave for 1 ½ to 2 minutes.

3. Stir honey into the hot juice mixture.

4. Whisk ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon and taste. If you want a stronger cinnamon flavor add an additional ⅛ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

5. Serve hot immediately.

*This is their next favorite warm drink when they aren’t feeling well. Seriously tastes like a warm orange apple cider*

3.Hot Spiced Lemonade

Ingredients:

9 cups water

1 cup lemon juice

2 cups orange juice

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon cloves

Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a simmer. Serve immediately.

4.Chamomile Tea

Ingredients:

Chamomile Tea Bag

Lemon slice

Honey

Instructions:

Boil water and pour over 1 tea bag. Steep for 4-6 minutes then remove tea bag. Add honey to sweeten and lemon slice for extra vitamin C.

* Chamomile may trigger an allergic reaction if child is sensitive to ragweed. So make sure to try a small amount or consult pediatrician before use if concerned.

5.Hot Spiced Cider

• Ingredients:

• 1/2 gallon (8 cups) apple cider or cloudy apple juice

• 3 cinnamon sticks

• 1 tsp whole cloves

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/2–1 orange peel (try to avoid the white pith)

Instructions:

1. Pour apple cider into a Dutch oven or large soup pot.

2. Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, ground nutmeg and orange peel.

3. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer on medium-low (or low heat) for at least 20-60 minutes, up to 2-3 hours. (The longer it simmers, the stronger it will taste. Water will start to evaporate, so keep the pot covered to help the cider from reducing too much.)

4. Skim off the whole spices and orange peel, if desired and pour into heat-safe cups or mugs.

5. Serve with additional cinnamon sticks, sliced apples or sliced oranges for garnish.

6.Babyccino

Ingredients:

• 4 fl. oz milk

• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder or cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Pour milk into a saucepan and place over medium heat.

2. Allow the milk to heat up gently for 2 minutes. If you have a thermometer - aim for 104°F to 113°F for milk temperature.

3. Froth milk with a drink mixer.

4. Pour the milk into a cup.

5. Sprinkle with cocoa powder or cinnamon.

7.Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)

• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder

• 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Warm almond milk in a small saucepan, then whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract. Whisk well to remove any lumps from the cocoa.

2. Optional: mix in your blender (make sure cocoa isn’t too hot – you don’t want to get burned) and blend until frothy.

3. Serve warm.

Although this is not a hot drink, I also wanted to mention smoothies! I always forget about smoothies!

You can pack a lot of ingredients and nutrients into smoothies that can help kids get nourishment and feel better if they don't want to eat. Think fruit, greens, protein and yogurt. Probably a good idea to stay away from milk & sugary juices but water & ice for the liquid would be great!

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- Amanda @valuemindedmama