These Are The Winter Drinks Giving Hot Chocolate A Run For Its Money

As temperatures take a serious hit in Melbourne, a craving for hot, comforting drinks creeps its way in. Something to cosy up with—to warm you from the inside out.

The humble hot chocolate is of course a no-brainer, and will always be a rainy, windy, chilly-day staple. But, in classic Melbourne style, we’re always on the lookout for something with a twist, or a seasonal upgrade.

So, with that in mind, these are some of our favourite non-hot chocolate hot drinks, each made for warm winter sipping.

Red Velvet Latte

Heebi, 127 Pelham Street, Carlton

Image: Heebi | Supplied

This naturally indulgent drink just hits the spot on chilly days. Heebi’s Red Velvet Latte brings together organically sourced French premium beetroot grind and raw cocoa from the Ivory Coast in West Africa, and is lightly sweetened with coconut sugar for a smooth, balanced flavour profile.

It pours a naturally vibrant pinky-red, with an earthy sweetness and subtle richness. This one is best enjoyed with soy, oat, or almond milk, each enhancing the cocoa and beetroot in its own way.

Honey Jujube Tea

TRBL Coffee, 10 Presgrave Place, Melbourne

Image: TRBL Coffee | Supplied

TRBL Coffee's Honey Jujube Tea is a seasonal special that'll have you feeling soothed from the inside out. A Korean winter staple, it’s made with a comforting combination of with jujube jam, ginger and honey.

Topped with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and a whole jujube, it's got a little texture in every sip. Sweet, slightly earthy, and deeply soothing.

Hojicha Mixed Berry Chocolate Latte

Nana's Green Tea, 165A Bourke Street, Melbourne and 487 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Image: Nana's Green Tea | Supplied

A drink often found in Japanese cafes during the colder months, Nana's Green Tea’s Hojicha Mixed Berry Chocolate Latte is a comforting blend that combines the deep, roasted aroma of premium Japanese hojicha with rich chocolate and sweet-tart seasonal mixed berries, finished with a creamy whipped topping.

Available for a limited time this winter season, it's especially popular with customers looking for something warming yet unique, balancing earthy tea notes with dessert-like flavours. 

Hot Cross Bun Latte, Gochujang Latte & Almond Croissant Latte

In.Btwn, 11 Dhanga Djeembana Walk, Melbourne

Image: In.Btwn | Supplied

Easter may have come and gone, but our craving for hot cross buns is a little harder to shake. Thankfully, In.Btwn is keeping the flavour alive until the end of June with its Hot Cross Bun Latte from the autumn menu (although we still think its a perfect match for winter).

The drink starts with a house-made spiced syrup inspired by the classic bun, made with brown sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and sultanas. The spices are slowly infused and reduced into a rich, concentrated syrup. It’s a surprisingly seamless match—the syrup is blended with espresso and milk to create a comforting latte reminiscent of a freshly baked hot cross bun. 

Once the hot cross bun latte wraps up for the season, a new winter menu will follow, featuring the gochujang latte—made with gochujang paste, honey, rice milk, and espresso (also available decaf), with flavour notes reminiscent of tteokbokki, balancing sweet heat and spice. 

Alongside it is the almond croissant latte, made with burnt butter, almond syrup, and croissant-infused milk steamed together for a rich, buttery indulgence.

Turkish DeLatte

Shanklin Cafe, 500 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn East

Image: Shanklin Cafe | Instagram

Inspired by the much-loved Turkish delight dessert, Shanklin Cafe's Turkish DeLatte is a fragrant, rose-flavoured milk drink that offers something a little different from the usual winter warmers.

Made with a blend of secret spices, rose, your choice of milk, and topped with chocolate mousse, it captures the floral sweetness and indulgent character of the classic confection. There's no coffee involved, making it a comforting option for those after a caffeine-free treat. 

Gingerbread Latte

Bottari, 600 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 3000

Image: Bottari | Supplied

Bottari is bringing a little festive nostalgia to winter with its Gingerbread Latte. Combining a house-made Korean ginger cheong (ginger syrup) with a warming gingerbread spice blend, the drink is finished with steamed milk and topped with a house-made gingerbread cookie.

The result is sweet, spiced, and cosy—about as close as you can get to Christmas in July in a cup. Available with a shot of espresso for those chasing a caffeine hit, or enjoyed on its own as a comforting seasonal treat, this one is only available through winter. 

Honey Spiced Almond Latte

Titch, 199 Park Street, South Melbourne

Image: Titch | Supplied

Titch owner Lily Duttine drew inspiration for this warming winter drink from the spiced honey drizzle cake a friend baked for her Blessingway ceremony. The comforting flavours felt perfectly suited to chilly mornings, so she transformed them into a latte.

This new menu addition combines a house-made honey syrup infused with cardamom, fennel and coriander seeds with orange blossom water and almond butter, creating a fragrant blend that balances warming spice with subtle sweetness. Served with your choice of steamed milk, it can also be paired with espresso or chai for an extra kick.