December 15, 2022
Review RecipeHot Toddy Drink

Table of Contents
It’s getting cold outside, so it’s the perfect time to warm up with a classic hot toddy. This lemony, honey-sweetened drink is a delicious nightcap or after-dinner treat with a bourbon kick.

HOT TODDY RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need:
- ½ cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 to 3 drops (shakes) of aromatic bitters
- 2 to 3 teaspoons honey
- About 1 teaspoon whole cloves, optional for garnish
- Slice of lemon, optional
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
- 1-star anise, optional
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
HONEY: You can use either maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey in this comforting cocktail. It’ll give it the same sweetness. If you’re looking for a hot toddy recipe for a cold, sore throat, or cough, we recommend using agave nectar instead of syrup.
ADD TEA: If you want, you can begin with spiced or black tea instead of boiling water for this warm drink.
BOURBON: Instead of bourbon, you can substitute it with dark rum or apple-flavored brandy for a more apple cider twist.
HOT TO MAKE A HOT TODDY
STEP ONE: Pour ½ cup of boiling water into a mug.
PRO TIP:
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 ½ 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: Add a cinnamon stick and/or star anise pods for garnish in your hot 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.
If you are looking for more home remedies, make a cozy pot of our chicken and rice soup or crack chicken noodle soup.
MORE ALCOHOLIC DRINK RECIPES
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 a 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. However, it can be reheated. 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.
We don’t recommend freezing this drink.

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 DRINK RECIPE FAQ
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.
It depends on your personal preference, but any type of whiskey, bourbon, or dark rum is delicious in this drink.
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.
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Raspberry Iced Tea
- Bailey’s and Coffee Ice Cubes
- Sweet Peach Iced Tea
- Spiked Hot Chocolate
- Christmas Morning Punch
- Bourbon Chicken
- Hot Chocolate on a Stick
- Coffee Cake in a Mug
- Drunk Bunny

Hot Toddy
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.
Comments
Gloria says
Love this classic hot toddy!
Mary says
A cold-weather classic, especially during the holidays.