Hot Toddy

A classic hot toddy begins with only 4 ingredients – water, whiskey, lemon juice, and honey. This cozy drink warms your belly, and may even pick you up when you are feeling under the weather!

Why this recipe works

Many people swear by a hot toddy as a cure-all when they’re feeling sick. The soothing properties of honey help ease a sore throat along with the whiskey which aids in numbing the area. And of course, a hot cup of warm fluids works to decongest and provides temporary relief to the common cold. While there’s no scientific proof that a hot toddy cures anything, who are we to say what you can and can’t do to help yourself feel better?

It never hurts to have a handy hot toddy recipe in your back pocket, whether you’re sick or not. You can easily jazz up this drink with warm spices like we do in our hot buttered rum recipe or stick to the classic four ingredients to get you started.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

WHISKEY – Whiskey is the main ingredient in a hot toddy recipe, so use your favorite kind! You can substitute with brandy if needed.

WATER – Water can optionally be substituted with hot tea.

LEMON JUICE – Fresh is best.

HONEY – Honey is the star component that helps alleviate cold and flu symptoms (if that’s why you’re here!).

ADDITIONS – Star anise, cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, ginger, or whole cloves are popular additions to a hot toddy. Feel free to pop some in as garnish.

How to Make Hot Toddy

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add whiskey, lemon juice, and honey to a mug.
3. Pour in hot water and stir until honey has dissolved.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

While a hot toddy can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms, there is no evidence to support that it can cure your ailments. Honey, hot water, and lemon is a popular combination to help combat a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. The whiskey addition is debatable, but I’ll leave that up to you to judge!

Sure, simply omit the whiskey from the ingredients or substitute it with more water. However, you’ll be left with just hot water, lemon juice, and honey in your cup. Spice it up with star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, or cloves for additional flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you stumbled across this recipe to help ease a pesky cold, or you simply enjoy the comforting taste of a good ole’ hot toddy – we hope you understand the basics now. Hot toddies are fantastic for warming up on a chilling day or as an after-dinner cocktail. Enjoy warm.

More Cocktail Recipes

• Irish Coffee
• Mulled Wine
• Hot Buttered Rum
• Cinnamon Applesauce Cocktail

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