Cozy up by the fire with a classic Hot Toddy! This warm lemon and honey drink is spiked with whiskey and finished off with a spicy cinnamon stick. It’s a cure-all cocktail that’s sure to warm you from the inside out!
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING beats a hot toddy on a chilly day! If you’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing this warm, spiced, whiskey cocktail classic, you’re in for a treat! A drink that ails all your chills, and warms you from the inside out. Sounds perfect to me!
Classic Hot Toddy
When you’re sick, do you ever make a warm lemon tea with honey? Well this is exactly that, but with whiskey! It’s a cure-all, comforting cocktail. Made with only 5 simple ingredients, this hot toddy is just as easy as making yourself a cup of tea! So if you’re ever feeling a little under the weather or you just need a warm pick me up – the whiskey works, trust me.
Ingredient Notes
- Whiskey – Use your preference. If you’re not a fan of whiskey, you can you can try it out with white, dark, or spiced rum, bourbon, cognac, or brandy.
- Honey – Use as much or as little as you like. This is going to add sweetness to our drink. Honey helps soothe the throat!
- Lemon – You’ll want fresh lemons because we need both the juice and a round for garnish.
- Hot Water – You want boiling water, just as you would for tea!
- Cinnamon – I like to use fresh cinnamon sticks, but ground cinnamon will work as well. You can again, use as much or as little as you’d like.
- Star Anise – This ingredient is optional, but I like to add one in my hot toddy because it looks pretty.
How To Make The Perfect Hot Toddy
- Pour the whiskey, honey, lemon juice in a mug then top of with hot water. Garnish with cinnamon stick and a lemon round.
The secret here is playing with the amounts of honey and lemon juice. Taste and adjust as necessary. I like mine a bit sweeter so I tend to add more honey than in the recipe, but make it as you like.
FAQs & Expert Tips
FAQs
A hot toddy, also known as “hot whiskey” in Ireland, is a mixed drink that is served HOT (hence the name), made up of whiskey, hot water, lemon, honey, this cocktail can also host different herbs and spices. Hot toddy recipes vary, and you can find a ton of different combinations, but I kept mine simple and delicious.
Hot toddies have been known to help reduce cold symptoms, although you really don’t want to overdo it on the whiskey. Keep in mind, if you are extremely sick, this is not going to instantly cure you. I know, I know, fun-killer over here. Your body needs to heal, but the simple combination of warm water, honey and lemon combined can work wonders. We all know, maybe from experience.. that alcohol doesn’t mix well with medications, so don’t over do it!
This whiskey cocktail is traditionally served just before bed time as a little night cap, or in wet or cold weather or to relieve the symptoms of the cold and flu, but you can have it anytime you’d like, even in the morning! Who am I to tell you when you can or can’t drink whiskey?
Tips
- I like using fresh cinnamon sticks! It definitely adds flavor, but also makes the drink look so much more presentable. It isn’t necessary, but it definitely adds to the wow factor.
- You don’t have to use whiskey for this recipe! Just like eggnog, you can substitute rum, brandy, bourbon, cognac etc depending on your preference.
- Try out different spices, herbs and citrus to find your favorite flavor combination.
- If you are TRULY very sick, keep an eye on how much alcohol you consume. You can also leave the whiskey out and use this recipe for a warm lemon tea. Let your body heal!
More Great Recipes To Try
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Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 1 oz whiskey
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¾ cup hot water boiling
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon round
Instructions
- Pour the whiskey, honey, lemon juice in a mug then top of with hot water. Garnish with cinnamon stick and a lemon round.
Recipe Notes
- I like using fresh cinnamon sticks! It definitely adds flavor, but also makes the drink look so much more presentable. It isn’t necessary, but it definitely adds to the wow factor.
- You don’t have to use whiskey for this recipe! Just like eggnog, you can substitute rum, brandy, bourbon, cognac etc depending on your preference.
- Try out different spices, herbs and citrus to find your favorite flavor combination.
My Mom used to make this for us kids when we where sick. Best home remedy ever!!