Hot Toddy recipe
Whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water — the original cold remedy.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Heat-proof glass or mug ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon or Scotch
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 4 oz Hot Water
How to make a Hot Toddy
- Add honey to a heat-proof glass or mug.
- Pour in hot water and stir until honey dissolves.
- Add whiskey and fresh lemon juice.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
Garnish
Lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
Pro tip
The water should be hot but not boiling — boiling water will cook off the alcohol and make the drink taste flat. Around 170°F is perfect. And use real honey, not that squeeze-bottle stuff.
History of the Hot Toddy
The Hot Toddy dates back to at least the 1700s in Scotland and Ireland. Originally prescribed as a medicinal drink for colds and flu, it became a staple of cold-weather drinking. The name may come from 'toddy,' a drink made from fermented palm sap in India.
Flavour profile
Warm, Sweet, Citrus, Soothing
Variations
- Apple Cider Toddy — Replace water with hot apple cider
- Rum Toddy — Use dark rum instead of whiskey
- Green Tea Toddy — Replace water with hot green tea for antioxidants
Practise making the Hot Toddy in the free Virtual Bar game.