I love a good hot toddy. A classic version usually has just four ingredients: hot water, whiskey or bourbon, lemon, and honey.
It’s a fairly light cocktail that you can sip slowly and warm up with. A great option for the cold winter months.
A hot toddy tastes like a slightly sweeter version of the spirit you use to make it. So use a whiskey, bourbon or rum that you enjoy drinking as the flavor will come through.
Since hot water is a big part of this cocktail, I like to use filtered water. Basically, if you don’t like the taste of your tap water, you should find an alternative (like a filter) since you’ll likely taste it in a hot toddy.
I have a specific order in which I like to add the Hot Toddy ingredients as it makes the process a little bit easier. First I put whiskey and honey in a mug, then I pour in hot water (and stir a few times to make sure the honey dissolves), then I add lemon. That’s it!
You can heat your water to a boil if you want (or use a tea kettle), but my kettle has a temp gauge and I tend to use water that’s around 140°F to 150°F. That’s hot, but not boiling hot.
I like being able to slurp my Hot Toddy almost immediately after making it.
What are the ingredients of a hot toddy?
Hot water, whiskey, honey and lemon.
Since it’s that simple, use great-tasting water and a whiskey (or bourbon or rum) that you enjoy drinking. I like Maker’s Mark, but there are many options.
Maybe you want to spice things up? Here are some things I sometimes mix into a plain hot toddy:
- Tea – any flavor that goes well with the spirit used (I like things like lemon, ginger, or cinnamon)
- Apple Cider Mixture
- Oranges or any citrus fruit other than lemon
- cinnamon sticks
- Spices like nutmeg or turmeric
Need more Hot Toddy Recipes?
After a cold day I love a hot toddy! Cheers. xo. Emma.
Classic honey toddy
a simple hot cocktail with only four ingredients
-
1½
ounces
whiskey
or bourbon -
1
a cup
hot water -
2
teaspoon
honey - lemon
-
Pour whiskey and honey into a mug.
-
Add the hot water. I like to heat the water to 140°F to 150°F, but whatever hot tea you typically make is fine.
-
Stir to dissolve the honey.
You can swap out the lemon for any citrus fruit including orange. Squeeze to release some juice, or you can peel the rind and add as a garnish, too.
Here are a few things you can add to spice up a plain hot toddy: cinnamon sticks, spices like nutmeg or turmeric, cider mix, tea that goes well with the spirits you’re using.
You can use whiskey, bourbon, or rum – just use whatever you would drink (not white rum or anything that should be mixed with stronger tasting ingredients).
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