I love enjoying a nice hot beverage before bed, but sometimes I want something with a little less sugar and caffeine than my hot chocolate.
Redditor u/Basicallydirt asked r/EatCheapAndHealthy for suggestions of “warm drinks that don't have caffeine. I am looking for some warm/hot drinks that I can drink at night that don't have caffeine.”
Here are some of the best responses to help you wind down and relax after a long day.
1. Herbal Tea
There are almost unlimited options out there for herbal caffeine-free teas to try at bedtime. You could go for fruity teas, with flavors like pomegranate, orange-mango, raspberry, spiced apple, and many many more.
If you're not a fan of fruity teas, you can try other herbal teas like chamomile, mint, rooibos, or other spice-based herbal teas. There are even specific Sleepytime tea blends you can buy at the grocery store to help you get ready for bed.
“I like Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice. It's basically chai without the actual tea,” shared u/SoullessNewsie.
2. Hearty Broths
If you're looking for a savory option, you could try heating up some chicken, beef, veggie, or mushroom broth to drink before bed.
Not only are these delicious and relaxing, but they can also give you a little burst of protein before bed. Broths can helps fight off late night hunger as well.
3. Miso Soup
Another great savory option is miso soup. You can either make this salty soup at home or buy it in bulk at your local Asian grocery store. Miso soup is simple to make and even more delicious to eat. It can really hit the spot when you're craving something warm and salty.
4. Decaf Coffee
If you're a coffee lover through and through, you may want to enjoy a cup of decaf coffee at bedtime. While there is still a small amount of caffeine in decaf drinks, they won't keep you up all night like a normal cup of coffee would.
You can also find decaf black teas like chai and earl grey to help you relax at night.
5. Hot Water
Drinking plain hot water may not be your first choice, but it may end up growing on you. Add a bit of lemon for a little flavor.
“I ran out of hot chocolate while I was sick and congested so I started drinking hot water and just never stopped,” wrote u/rainnbowskyy_. “It grows on you if you let it. And it is the cheapest drink I know of.”
6. Golden Milk
A glass of warm milk relaxes many kids before bed, so why not adults too? You can really up your warm milk game when you opt for Golden Milk.
“Golden Milk is my go-to no-caffeine hot drink and relatively easy to make at home. Turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cashew butter, dates, etc. Super good for you too,” said u/tstonesohard.
That sounds delicious.
7. Warm Apple Cider
I'm from New England, which is famous for its apples in the fall. That means I grew up drinking non-alcoholic apple cider, which is delicious both cold and hot.
So next time you’re craving something warm before bed but want to avoid caffeine, try one of these drinks. From herbal teas to decaf coffee and broths, plenty of options can help you wind down at the end of the day without keeping you up all hours of the night.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Maya (she/they) is a queer entertainment and culture journalist. They cover interviews, reviews, roundups, news, and more. She loves horror, history, and creativity. They hope their writing both entertains readers and inspires them to think critically. Her favorite pastimes include needle felting, gaming, and drawing.