Whether you’re sick in bed or fresh off the slopes, a hot toddy warms everything up. The classic formula of whiskey, sugar and hot water is like the steamy cousin of an old-fashioned, but these days, a lot of other ingredients (citrus juice, apple cider, various spices) get added in the name of innovation, with mixed results. This version cozies up to the original, with a few optional additions based on preference. First, warm the mug with hot water, which primes the vessel to hold heat longer, yielding a truly hot toddy to the last sip. Then add scotch or bourbon, or for a modern twist, rum, cognac or amaro. Stir in a little honey, maple syrup or Demerara sugar, add hot water and stir to dissolve. Garnish with lemon peel and spices, if you like.
Classic Hot Toddy
Warm up with this classic hot toddy cocktail recipe! Hot toddies are so easy to make. You’ll just need hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon. Recipe yields 1 cocktail.
Prep: 10min
Total: 10min
Yield: 1
Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 cocktail, calories 149 calories, Sugar 11.8 g, Sodium 10.1 mg, Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 12.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 ounces whiskey
- 2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste
- 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
- 1 lemon round
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
Instruction:
- In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug.
- Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing.
- Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick (if using). Enjoy!
Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is a classic and warming whiskey cocktail.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1 drink
Nutrition Facts: servingSize , calories , Fat , Carbohydrate , Protein , Saturated Fat , unSaturated Fat , Sugar , Fiber , Sodium , Cholesterol
Ingredients:
- 2 oz (¼ cup) bourbon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Boiling water, to fill a mug (6 to 8 oz)
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
- 3 to 4 cloves for garnish
- 1 star anise pod for garnish
Instruction:
- Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and honey in a mug and add the boiling water (use more or less, depending on how strong you’d like the drink to be). Stir until the honey is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined, 10 to 15 seconds. Garnish with the cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise pod.
- Note: When serving, I recommend warming up some heavy mugs by first filling them with boiling water. Once they’re nice and toasty, spill out the water and fill with the cocktail. This will help the drinks maintain their cozy warmth a bit longer.
Hot Toddy
As far as easy cocktails go, there’s nothing quite as cozy and comforting as a hot toddy on a cold winter night. This toddy comes together in mere minutes. Plus, it’s lighter and less sweet.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1 serving(s)
Ingredients:
- 3/4 c. hot water
- 1 1/2 oz. whisky or bourbon
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Lemon wedge and/or cinnamon stick, optional
Instruction:
- Place the water in a mug and microwave on high for 1 minute until very hot (but not boiling). Mix in the whiskey, honey and lemon juice. Drop in a lemon wedge and cinnamon stick, if you like.
Easy Hot Toddy with Honey and Lemon
Try dark rum or bourbon for this. Brandy or your favorite whisky will work, but dark rum and bourbon are our favorite. Hot toddies are best warm so you might want to think about warming your mug just before making the drink. Simply fill your mug with hot water then empty it.
Total: 5min
Yield: Makes 1 drink
Serving Size: 1 drink
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 drink, calories 129, Protein 0 g, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 17 g, Fat 0 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce dark rum or bourbon
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pure honey
- 1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, optional
- 1/4 cup hot water or brewed tea
- Lemon slice
Instruction:
- Put honey, lemon juice and the apple cider vinegar in a warmed mug. Add hot water or hot tea and stir until the honey has dissolved. Add the rum or bourbon, stir then finish with a lemon slice.
