• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content

Preppy Kitchen logo

  • About
    • Meet John
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Hot Toddy

    Hot Toddy

    Published: November 8, 2021 · Modified: Nov 8, 2021 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This Hot Toddy is a classic whiskey cocktail that comes together quickly at home with a few simple ingredients like lemon, honey, and whiskey. This warm cocktail is perfect for soothing a cold or for warming yourself up on a chilly night. It is beyond easy to make with no special equipment.

    A glass of hot toddy in front of a second on and a jar of honey.
    91 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic of two glasses of hot toddies with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks inside.
    Pinterest graphic of hot toddy in two glasses with lemon and cinnamon.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of hot toddy with a cinnamon slice added to the rim.
    Pinterest graphic of an overhead view of two glasses of hot toddies.
    Pinterest graphic of two glasses of hot toddies with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.

    Warm and toasty, this hot toddy recipe, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, is perfect for the cold winter months. Touted by some as a home cold and flu home remedy, this hot toddy is smooth, warming, and light. ​​People say this drink might soothe a sore throat, reduce congestion, and keep you feeling toasty but I do not profess to be an expert. For another cozy slow sipper, try my Irish Coffee or Homemade Eggnog.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients to make a hot toddy.

    Honey — considered to be a natural cough suppressant, honey makes this cocktail soothing. Local honey is ideal, but store-bought honey is great as well.

    Whisky — I use Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky to make this hot cocktail. It has a dry smokiness with hints of chocolate and vanilla sweetness, making it perfect for a toddy.

    Lemon juice — always use freshly squeezed lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice. You want a vibrant flavor.

    How to Make a Hot Toddy

    Set of two photos showing a lemon juices and hot water added to the glass.

    1. Juice a lemon with a citrus press or over a fine-mesh sieve to catch the seeds.

    2. Fill an 8- to 10-ounce mug with hot water to warm it up.

    Set of two photos showing honey and lemon juice added to a glass.

    3. Empty the mug and fill it with freshly boiled water. Add the honey and stir until dissolved.

    4. Stir in the lemon juice.

    Set of two photos showing whisky added to the glass before garnished with cinnamon and lemon.

    5. Stir in the whiskey.

    6. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick and serve immediately.

    Two cups of hot toddies with lemon and cinnamon stick in the cups.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • This hot toddy recipe is also great with amber or spiced rum, brandy, or applejack.
    • Do not mix over-the-counter and prescription medications with alcohol! Skip the drink if you’re taking cough medicine.
    • Agave nectar and maple syrup are great alternatives if you cannot have honey.
    • Preheating the glass ensures that your drink says hot longer. You can also simply use a travel mug or a cup sleeve.
    • Add more honey if you prefer a sweeter cocktail or more lemon for a brighter taste.

    Overhead view of two glasses of hot toddies with cut lemon and honey on the side.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this without alcohol?

    You sure can. Feel free to skip the whisky and make this recipe as is. Alternatively, you can steep some tea in hot water as well. Try chamomile, ginger, or black tea.

    Does this work when you’re sick?

    Hot toddies have been known to help reduce cold symptoms (source), but it’s a home remedy at the end of the day, and this should not be taken as medical advice.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    It’s best to serve this cocktail warm, so it’s difficult to make it ahead of time. You can always make it and store it in an insulated thermos if you want to transport it but try to enjoy it as soon as you can.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • Two glasses of old fashioned with the ingredients in the background, out of focus.

      Old Fashioned

    • Two glasses of whiskey sour with cocktail picks with lemon peel and maraschino cherry as garnish on top.

      Whiskey Sour

    • A Manhattan cocktail with a maraschino cherry in the middle in front of a pink linen napkin and the ingredients out of focus in the background.

      Manhattan Recipe

    • Two glasses of pomegranate martinis with lemon peel garnish.

      Pomegranate Martini

    • Two White Russian cocktails on a marble surface

      White Russian

    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!

    Two glasses containing hot toddy with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick as garnish.
    Print
    5 from 5 votes

    Hot Toddy

    Warm and toasty, this Hot Toddy is the perfect way to end off a chilly evening. Perfect for when you've got the sniffles as well.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 182kcal
    Author John Kanell

    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

    • This hot toddy recipe is also great with amber or spiced rum, brandy, or applejack.
    • Do not mix over-the-counter and prescription medications with alcohol! Skip the drink if you’re taking cough medicine.
    • Agave nectar and maple syrup are great alternatives if you cannot have honey.
    • Preheating the glass ensures that your drink says hot longer. You can also simply use a travel mug or a cup sleeve.
    • Add more honey if you prefer a sweeter cocktail or more lemon for a brighter taste.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
    « Crumb Cake
    Popovers »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    Buy My Book

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top recipes This Month

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • An Espresso martini on a gray surface with coffee beans scattered around

      Espresso Martini

    • A cake stand with a slice of red velvet cake cut out and placed on a plate in front.

      Red Velvet Cake

    • A group of shortbread cookies. some are stacked while others are on crumpled paper.

      Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • photo of moist Vanilla Cupcakes in pink paper wrappers

      Moist Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015 - 2020 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    91 shares