• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Drinks/Cocktails
4.8 from 5 votes

Hot Toddy

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •12/31/22 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for hot toddy.

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!

two mugs with hot toddy in them garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
Table of Contents Open
  • Classic Hot Toddy Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make The Perfect Hot Toddy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What Is A Hot Toddy?
    • Do Hot Toddies Actually Work When You’re Sick?
    • How To Serve
  • Expert Tips
  • More Great Recipes To Try
  • Hot Toddy
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Classic Hot Toddy Recipe

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!

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.

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients needed for making a hot toddy.
  • 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

  1. 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.

two mugs with hot toddy in them garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Hot Toddy?

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.

Do Hot Toddies Actually Work When You’re Sick?

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!

How To Serve

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?

Expert Tips

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Try out different spices, herbs and citrus to find your favorite flavor combination.
  4. 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!
two mugs with hot toddy in them garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Whiskey Sour
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Hot Mulled Cider
  • Old Fashioned
  • Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

two mugs with hot toddy in them garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.
Print
4.80 from 5 votes

Hot Toddy

Prep 5 minutes
Cook 5 minutes
Total 10 minutes
Rate Recipe
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!
1

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce whiskey
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ¾ cup hot water (boiling)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 lemon round

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Pour the whiskey, honey, lemon juice in a mug then top of with hot water. Garnish with cinnamon stick and a lemon round.

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Try out different spices, herbs and citrus to find your favorite flavor combination.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 146kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 21g (7%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 10mgFiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 18g (20%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 35mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

two mugs with hot toddy in them garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 154
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Colin
Colin
Posted: 1 month ago

We use hot orange juice for a hot toddy.

0
Reply
Denise Stetler
Denise Stetler
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
My Mom used to make this for us kids when we where sick. Best home remedy ever!!

3
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hr 15 mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

shepherd's pie in a skillet with a serving taken out of it.
1 hr 25 mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hrs 30 mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz