The Classic Hot Toddy Recipe is a drink that’ll warm you up, and keep you happy. It may even help ward off colds and sore throats.
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What is a Hot Toddy?
It’s a mixed drink that’s served hot, and enjoyed as a night-cap or slow sipper.
And, Wikipedia says that the word toddy comes from the toddy drink in India. So, literally, it means Hot Drink.
But, what exactly goes into it, well, there are many variations. For my version of this classic cocktail, you’ll only need 4 ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice, hot water, and honey.
Apparently, National Hot Toddy Day is January 11th! Let’s celebrate!
Can I mix it up?
Yes, any good whiskey will be great in this drink. Feel free to use your favorite, or just whatever’s in the booze closet.
You can also make your hot toddy with dark rum, whisky, bourbon, or brandy.
Want to read more about whisky vs. whiskey? Take a look here.
Some people like to add herbal tea, ginger, and cinnamon to the drink. It’s all good. Feel free to make it your own.
Oh, and traditionally, you’d serve the hot toddy in a glass mug. However, I don’t have a glass mug, and love my little tea cups. So, I serve it in a tea cup. Just like the drink itself, I feel that you can mix up the serving cup.
Help soothe my cold and get some rest
The Hot Toddy drink is a great relaxer when you need something to help relieve an irritating cold or sore throat. While a Hot Toddy can’t necessarily cure the cold, the warm beverage’s ingredients are known to ease cold symptoms.
For decades people have used the hot toddy as a natural remedy for easing aches and pains associated with the common cold.
A hot toddy will help you fall asleep. And, sleep is important to recovery. There is, however, such a thing as too many hot toddies. While the alcohol in one drink is great for falling asleep and feeling refreshed, too many and the sleep you get won’t be refreshing, and could cause you to wake up the next morning with a hangover. So stick to one, and you’re good to go.
Looking for other warming cocktails?
The Rob Roy: A Classic Cocktail
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Classic Hot Toddy Recipe
Classic Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce whiskey
- 2-3 ounces lemon juice
- 1 ounce honey
- 3 ounces hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Combine whiskey, lemon juice, and honey in a cup. Pour hot water over, and stir. Use the cinnamon stick as stir stick.
Julie Menghini says
This recipe would definitely warm my cold winter bones and sounds so relaxing! It’s the perfect nightcap!
Stephanie says
I could totally use this today! Nothing beats a Hot Toddy when you are feeling under the weather.
Deb says
I could use one of those cocktails, it’s been so cold and rainy here! It looks like the perfect way to push away all the chill!