January 10, 2024
Review RecipeThe Best Hot Toddy
This lemon and honey hot toddy recipe makes a warm alcoholic beverage that is the perfect drink for a cold winter night.
Jump to Recipe
Table of Contents
- Hot Toddy Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Additions for an Old Fashioned Hot Toddy
- How To Make A Hot Toddy
- How To Serve A Hot Toddy Drink
- How To Make A Hot Toddy For A Cold
- Can You Make A Hot Toddy In Advance?
- Why We Love This Recipe
- Hot Toddy FAQs
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- JUMP TO RECIPE
- Even More Easy Recipes
It’s getting cold outside, so it’s the perfect time to warm up with a classic old-fashioned hot toddy. This lemony, honey-sweetened drink is a delicious nightcap or after-dinner treat with a bourbon kick.
Hot Toddy Recipe Ingredients
The key to a great hot toddy is balance. Start with the basic recipe, then adjust the amount of honey for sweetness and lemon juice for acidity to suit your taste.
Remember, it’s easier to add more of an ingredient than to take it away, so add these components gradually.
For this old-fashioned hot toddy recipe, you’ll need:
- ½ cup of boiling water
- 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons of bourbon
- 2 to 3 drops (shakes) of aromatic bitters
- 2 to 3 teaspoons of honey
- About 1 teaspoon whole cloves, optional for garnish
- Slice of lemon, optional
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
- 1-star anise, optional
Substitutions and Additions for an Old Fashioned Hot Toddy
HONEY: You can use either maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey in this comforting cocktail.
It’ll give it the same sweetness but each sweetener will bring a slightly different flavor.
If you’re looking for a hot toddy recipe for a cold, sore throat, or cough, try using agave nectar instead of syrup.
LEMON JUICE: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal for a hot toddy, but if you don’t have fresh lemons, you can substitute it with bottled lemon juice.
ADD TEA: While hot water is the standard liquid used to dilute and heat the drink, you could also use hot tea for an added layer of flavor.
Herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint can add a soothing element, while black or green tea could provide a pleasant bitterness.
ADD SPICES: For an elevated version of the hot toddy, consider adding spices.
Cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, or a slice of fresh ginger can add a wonderful depth of flavor. Simply add your chosen spice to the hot water as it heats.
BOURBON: Instead of bourbon, you can substitute it with dark rum or apple-flavored brandy for a more apple cider twist.
You can also make a hot toddy with other spirits like rum, brandy, or even tequila. Each spirit will give the drink a different character, so feel free to experiment.
How To Make A Hot Toddy
It’s easy to make this warm drink by just adding hot water to your mug followed by the remaining ingredients.
STEP ONE: Pour a half cup of boiling water into a mug.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Glass mugs are a beautiful way to show off the beautiful amber color of this drink, but regular mugs work just as well.
STEP TWO: Add fresh lemon juice, bourbon, bitters, and honey to the half cup of hot water. Stir until honey is dissolved.
STEP THREE: Poke whole cloves into the peel of a thick slice of lemon. Drop a lemon slice into the mug.
STEP FOUR: For an extra touch, garnish with a lemon slice, cinnamon stick or star anise pods.
If serving to guests, consider using glass mugs so they can appreciate the warm, inviting color of the drink.
PRO TIP:
The cinnamon stick or star anise will add additional flavor to your drink, if you want it only lightly spiced, you can remove these after allowing them to infuse your drink for a short time.
How To Serve A Hot Toddy Drink
Cold days just got better with this classic hot toddy recipe. Serve this warm cocktail if you are feeling under the weather or just want a warm-up on a cold day.
Known for its soothing and warming qualities, an old-fashioned hot toddy can be the star of your evening, whether cozying up by the fire or hosting a winter gathering.
The sweetness of the honey and the tang of the lemon in the hot toddy blend beautifully with the rich, warm spices found in gingerbread or cinnamon cookies.
The robust flavors of aged cheeses, such as cheddar or gouda, can stand up to the strong, spirited nature of the hot toddy.
The zesty and spirited nature of the hot toddy cuts through the richness of creamy desserts like cheesecake or custard, providing a balanced end to your meal.
A rich beef stew, with its complex flavors and hearty ingredients, pairs wonderfully with the soothing warmth of a hot drink.
MORE ALCOHOLIC DRINK RECIPES
If you are looking for more “food to pick you up”home remedies”, make a cozy pot of our chicken and rice soup or crack chicken noodle soup.
More of a cold-cocktail lover? Try our strawberry champagne floats and wine slushies for two easy cocktails.
How To Make A Hot Toddy For A Cold
To make an old-fashioned hot toddy to help a cold, heat water to boiling, pour it into a mug, add the honey, lemon, and whiskey, and stir.
Can You Make A Hot Toddy In Advance?
We recommend preparing this hot toddy cocktail right before serving it. A hot toddy is best enjoyed freshly made, as the warmth is a key part of its comforting appeal.
However, if you wish to prepare in advance, you can mix the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice ahead of time.
Store this mixture in a sealed container at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat your water and add it to your pre-mixed ingredients.
Don’t leave your drink sitting with the lemon in it too long because it’ll make the drink bitter after about an hour.
The spices should be removed as well since they will change the flavor of the drink.
To reheat a hot toddy, pour it into a microwave-safe mug and heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until it’s warm enough for your liking.
We don’t recommend freezing this drink.
Why We Love This Recipe
COZY COMFORT: This hot toddy is the ultimate comfort drink, perfect for warming up on chilly evenings. Its soothing warmth and aromatic spices create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
COLD REMEDY: The combination of hot water, honey, lemon, and a splash of whiskey is known for its potential to relieve cold symptoms and provide comfort during illness.
EASY TO MAKE: This hot toddy recipe is incredibly simple and quick to prepare, making it accessible for both beginner and experienced home bartenders.
This hot toddy, with its warm spice palate and rich flavor, will be the perfect thing to warm up on a cold night. It can also help soothe a cold or cough. The combination of bourbon, honey, and lemon will help soothe your throat and sore muscles, and even help you sleep better.
Hot Toddy FAQs
Can I make a non-alcoholic hot toddy?
If you’d like to make a non-alcoholic hot toddy, simply omit the bitters and bourbon and use tea instead of boiling water in your drink.
What Whisky is best for hot toddy?
It depends on your personal preference, but any type of whiskey, bourbon, or dark rum is delicious in this drink.
Does a hot toddy actually help a cold?
While a hot toddy is soothing and can help you feel better, it doesn’t have any more healing powers than a bowl of soup or a steaming cup of tea.
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Hot Toddy
This lemon and honey hot toddy recipe makes a warm alcoholic beverage that is the perfect drink for a cold winter night.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 1
Ingredients
- ½ cup water, boiling
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 4 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 to 3 drops aromatic bitters
- 2 to 3 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves, optional for garnish
- 1 slice lemon, optional
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
- 1 star anise, optional
Instructions
- Pour ½ cup of boiling water into a mug.
- Add lemon juice, bourbon, bitters, and honey into the ½ cup of water. Stir until honey is dissolved.
- Poke whole cloves into the peel of a thick slice of lemon. Drop lemon slice into the mug.
- Add a cinnamon stick and/or star anise for garnish.
Notes
- Glass mugs are a beautiful way to show off the beautiful amber color of this drink, but regular mugs work just as well.
- The cinnamon stick or star anise will add additional flavor to your drink, if you want it only lightly spiced, you can remove these after allowing them to infuse your drink for a short time.
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Gloria says
Love this classic hot toddy!
Mary says
A cold-weather classic, especially during the holidays.