You can’t go wrong with a classic Hot Toddy recipe. It is the perfect warm drink for a nightcap or to serve at a holiday party. It’s also soothing and easy enough to make when you are sick. The combination of simple ingredients is packed with warming flavors that are instantly comforting. Rich, smooth whiskey is paired with bright citrus, luscious honey, and spicy-sweet cinnamon for an irresistible mixed drink.
You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this easy recipe! And it only takes a few minutes to put together, and you can stir it up right in the mug. Grab your favorite mug, put the kettle on, and you’ll be sipping on a comforting hot toddy in no time! If you’re looking for more cocktail recipes, try my Irish coffee, eggnog, or wassail.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Whiskey – Irish whiskey is the gold standard for hot toddies, but any type of whiskey or bourbon will work in this recipe.
Honey – raw honey is packed with antioxidants and adds a rich caramel flavor, although any style of honey will do. Alternatively, you can swap the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar if preferred.
Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor. Bring the lemon to room temperature and roll it back and forth on a hard surface to release the juices before cutting and juicing.
Cinnamon Stick – adds a sweet, warming flavor to the drink and acts as a stir stick. You can also swap the cinnamon for whole cloves that float on top, or use a mix of both!
How to Make a Hot Toddy
1. Juice a lemon using a citrus press or hand-squeeze the lemon over a fine-mesh strainer to filter out the seeds.
2. Fill an 8- to 10-ounce mug with hot water until the mug is warm. Then pour out the water.
3. Bring 2/3 cup of fresh water to a boil. Fill the warmed, empty mug with the hot water. Add the honey and stir until dissolved.
4. Stir in the lemon juice.
5. Stir in the whiskey.
6. Garnish the mug with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Use a glass mug. Glass warms quickly when you preheat the mug, which will keep the hot toddy recipe warm, and it makes for a pretty presentation. But really, you can use any mug you prefer!
- Add sweetness. Feel free to add more honey or sweetener to taste! Tinker with the amount until it’s right for you.
- Enhance the citrus. Add more lemon juice for a brighter taste. You can also swap the lemon juice for orange juice, meyer lemon, or lime juice, or stir in a mix of two for a zesty twist!
- Choose a different brown spirit. If whiskey isn’t your favorite, swap it out for an aged or spiced rum or brandy.
Frequently Asked Questions
A classic hot toddy recipe uses whiskey, but you can also use a dark rum if you prefer. If you want more flavor, use a spiced rum, flavored whiskey, brandy or applejack. You can also make this recipe alcohol-free by omitting the liquor or using a non-alcoholic liquor or apple cider and enjoying it as a tasty mocktail!
Sipping on a hot whiskey cocktail for a cold is known to help soothe a sore throat and can even help alleviate a stuffy nose. Many people drink a hot toddy for a cough as a natural home remedy. However, it is important to consult with your doctor or medical provider if you are sick to ensure it is safe to drink hot toddies. You can also skip the alcohol when you’re not feeling well to get the healing benefits of the other hot toddy ingredients.
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or other cocktail shrub to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors of the hot drink. Additionally, use brewed tea like ginger tea, chamomile, or black tea instead of hot water for extra soothing flavor.
I recommend making hot toddies when you want to drink them so they are fresh and warm. However, you can multiply this recipe to make a bigger batch of pre-mixed water, honey, and lemon juice to enjoy throughout the week or to serve a larger group for easier prep. Heat your desired amount of water, honey, and lemon juice on the stovetop until the honey is dissolved. Cool to room temperature, then store the mixture in a pitcher in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use. Reheat the mixture on the stovetop then add the whiskey. Pour into mugs and add the garnishes!
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If you’ve tried this Hot Toddy recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Hot Toddy
Equipment
- Mug
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1½ ounces whiskey
- 1½ teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon slice
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Fill an 8- to 10-ounce mug with hot water to warm it up.
- Bring 2/3 cup water to a boil. Empty the mug and fill it with the freshly boiled water. Add the honey and stir until dissolved. Stir in the whiskey and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a glass mug. Glass warms quickly when you preheat the mug, which will keep the hot toddy recipe warm, and it makes for a pretty presentation. But really, you can use any mug you prefer!
- Add sweetness. Feel free to add more honey or sweetener to taste! Tinker with the amount until it’s right for you.
- Enhance the citrus. Add more lemon juice for a brighter taste. You can also swap the lemon juice for orange juice, meyer lemon, or lime juice, or stir in a mix of two for a zesty twist!
- Choose a different brown spirit. If whiskey isn’t your favorite, swap it out for an aged or spiced rum or brandy.
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