Hot Toddy Recipes: 4 Cozy Variations to Try

Mom always said, for as far back as she could remember, the hot toddy was one of “nature’s natural cures”, for easing all those horrible aches and pains that are associated with the winter season and the common cold. She compared it to “Jewish penicillin”, aka. chicken soup, which works because your brain thinks it works, not because there is actual science behind it. To be clear, a hot toddy is a comfort drink, not a cure. Let’s face it, generally speaking, a hot toddy is basically just a shot or two of any [brown] potent spirit added to a cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon–mother nature doesn’t want to make it too difficult!

Whiskey / whisky, brandy or rum combined with the herbal tea, a squeeze of honey, lemon, and the warm steam emanating from the drink (perhaps even with a stick of cinnamon and star anise to feel fancy!) is what makes the hot toddy such a cozy winter classic.

How to Make a Basic Hot Toddy

There are many variations to the Hot Toddy on how this classic is concocted, but the bottom line is that in a large cup or glass, pour any [brown] potent spirit, honey, lemon juice, 1/2 lemon rind, and nutmeg. Stand cinnamon stick in the cup.

1. Pour the boiling water and stir well to blend.
2. Adjust honey to suit your sweetness.
3. Adjust lemon juice to suit your taste.
4. Stir, sip slowly and enjoy.

As with any drink that incorporates booze as a main ingredient, there is such a thing as too many hot toddies. One or two too many and you could wake up the next morning feeling worse than you did before.  

We’re not a doctor, but like our Mom always said, “stick to one and you should be good to go!”

HOT TODDY RECIPE(S)

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The Hot Toddy

8oz Hot Water

1 Bag Herbal Tea

1oz Bourbon

1 Tablespoon Honey

1 Lemon Wedge

Pour hot water into mug and steep tea for 2-3 minutes. Remove tea bag and add honey, stirring to dissolve. Pour in whiskey, add squeeze of lemon, stir, sip, and enjoy!

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Apple-Brandy Hot Toddy *

At Paley’s Place in Portland, Oregon, bartender Suzanne Bozarth puts a French spin on this warming drink with apple brandy. 

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons honey

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups apple brandy, Suzanne prefers Calvados

Eight 3-inch cinnamon sticks

In small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey until dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice and apple brandy. Set a cinnamon stick in each of 8 mugs or heatproof glasses, pour in the hot liquid and serve.*
*This recipe’s serving size is definitely for a family or fRamily affair.

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The Rum Hot Toddy

3 ounces dark rum

(or to suit taste)

4 tablespoons liquid honey

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1⁄2 piece lemon rind

1⁄16 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 -4inch cinnamon stick  (whole)

6 – 8 ounces boiling water

Using a large heavy duty cup or glass, add rum, honey, lemon juice, 1/2 lemon rind, and nutmeg.  Stand cinnamon stick in the cup.  Pour the boiling water and stir well to blend.  Adjust honey to suit your sweetness and adjust lemon juice to suit your taste.  Sip slowly and enjoy.

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The Classic Hot Toddy

1½ ounce brown liquor such as brandy, whiskey / whisky or rum


1 tablespoon honey


½ ounce lemon juice


1 cup hot water


Lemon wedge, cinnamon stick and star anise, for garnish (optional)

Combine the first 4 ingredients into the bottom of a warmed mug. If desired, garnish with the lemon, cinnamon stick or star anise. Sip & enjoy!

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*Making hot toddies for a family or fRamily affair? If you need 5-8 servings of a hot toddy you can reference the Apple-Brandy Hot Toddy and use any base you like to get the party started!  Please drink responsibly!  

Cheers,

The Cellar Dwellers of Holiday Wine Cellar

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Recipe source(s):

WineMag

Food.com

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