Warm, delicious and boozy, the classic hot toddy is a favourite winter drink. With honey, lemon and whiskey, what’s not to love? It’s proven effective against coughs and colds too.
We’ve had one heck of a start to 2018 weather-wise. With the windchill averaging at -30C/-22F, we’ve been hibernating and I’m sure we’re not the only ones!
Happily, we have a short break from all that arctic air – it only feels like -12C/10F as I’m writing this – but the brutal cold is expected to return sooner rather than later (of course it will).
With all that cold comes the sniffles. Which I just always happen to get. And as you guys might remember, I’m allergic to most medicines so I rely on home remedies to get me through.
This classic hot toddy is a favourite. Not only is it quick and easy to make, it’s delicious too.
Oh and did I mention it’s boozy? With a shot of whisky (or bourbon or rum or brandy), a glass (or two, you decide) of hot toddy on a cold winter night won’t only warm you up.
It will also help with those colds and give you a good night’s sleep.
What does a hot toddy cure?
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor.
I wish I was some kind of doctor. A famous surgeon maybe. The kind that TV shows are based on.
But I’m deathly afraid of blood. And needles. I’m just a girl who’s been allergic to medicine all her life so I’ve tried my fair share of herbal and alternative medicine.
The hot toddy is one of them.
While there’s no real cure for the common cold, the whiskey, honey and lemon in a hot toddy offer great relief with the sniffles. Think of it as a bowl of chicken noodle soup. But whiskey.
Not a fan of whiskey? These other alcohol-free drinks work wonders for me too: turmeric golden milk, fresh lemon ginger tea and hot apple cider.
How to make a classic hot toddy
Like turmeric golden milk and fresh lemon ginger tea, it’s super simple to make and tastes delicious.
If you have tea, whiskey (or booze of choice), honey, lemon, cinnamon (we deserve a little treat when we’re not feeling well!) and 5 short minutes, you can make yourself a nice cup of hot toddy to drive those winter blues away.
Simply pour hot tea into a mug with whiskey. Add lemon juice and a pinch of cinnamon. Stir and you’re done.
Favourite winter drink
Not sick? Much better! You can enjoy this lovely little cocktail by the fire (or space heater) while grudgingly lovingly watching the snow fall (try not to think about all the shovelling you’ll need to do tomorrow).
A fan of whiskey? Try this Irish coffee recipe. It’s also warm and boozy and only needs 4 ingredients!
Enjoy and keep warm!
Related: Best Hot Drinks for Winter You’ll Love
Classic Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tea bag Earl Grey or any tea of your choice see note 1
- 2 oz whiskey see note 2
- 2 tbsp honey see note 3
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Steep your tea in 1 cup hot water for 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, put 2 oz whiskey and 2 tbsp honey in a mug or a cup.
- Pour the tea into your mug. Add 2 tsp lemon juice and a pinch of cinnamon. Stir and enjoy while warm.
Video
Notes
- Don’t have tea? No problem. You can make hot toddy with just hot water.
- Apart from whiskey, you can also use bourbon, rum or brandy. You can also adjust the quantity depending on how strong you like your drink.
- You may need more (or less) honey; again, it depends on how you sweet you like your drink.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Cheers!
Did you make classic hot toddy? What’s your favourite home remedy for colds and flu? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Msddah
You got me at Boozy and I am sold. It is also surprisingly easy to make. Cant wait to try this boozy drink. Thank you!
Katrina
I am not a big whiskey fan but this actually seems delicious and perfect for these cold winter months. I know what I’m drinking this weekend!
Jessica Bradshaw
My husband loves these! I am sending him this recipe. This will probably help his throat/cough.
Jolina
Hope it does! Being sick in the wintertime (or any time) is no fun.
MJ
a tea with whiskey? My first time to have heard of it. I’m into herbs too and tea but with whiskey I think its only good for adults.
Kapila
Amazing recipe to try this winter. Looks super easy. I will try it for sure.
Chinedu
Great post! I find that these herbal/natural drinks work wonders when i’m sick. It’s always nice to get more ideas for natural remedies so thank you for sharing! 🙂
Laura Dove
Ooh I’ve never tried a hot toddy ever! My dad swears by it when he’s not well, I thought it was just an excuse to drink some whiskey! Haha!
Jolina
LOL it’s possible, hot toddy is delicious! 🙂
David Elliott
I know this drink was used for many different ailments when we used more home medicines and not all the antibiotics of today. Given the flu I suffered through, this does sound like a great thing.
Sarmistha Goswami
I know how -12C feels, experienced it when we were living in Germany few years back. No wonder you are hibernating! A hot cocktail with lemon and honey sounds like a wonderful drink to beat the chill. Enjoy! 🙂
Marielle Altenor
Hot lemon tea in the winter is my jam! I tend to get a sore throat and this is what always helps me.
Stephanie
I’ve never made one of these, but it sounds great! It’s been unseasonably cold winter in south Texas as well, we had ice and snow today!
Marjie Mare
I have all the ingredients at home, I am going to try this drink as soon as I am done with the posts. Thanks for sharing
Jolina
Nice! Hope you enjoy it. Keep warm!
April
I need this for the bitter cold we’re having! Sounds so warm and cozy.
Ali Rost
Despite living in Iowa, winter isn’t my favorite time of year. But there are many little things that make it bearable and hot toddies are one of them. Because when I’m wrapped up in a blanket and sipping one from a warm mug, the biting wind and brisk temperature outside suddenly seem tolerable. x
Jolina
Winter isn’t my favourite either…but what you just described, I like that! 🙂
Destany
I have friends who swear by Hot Toddys! I’ve never actually tried one myself. However, the past 3 weeks I have been so sick with congestion and sinus issues that I’ve been living on hot tea!
Jolina
Sorry to hear you’ve been sick! Fresh lemon ginger tea always helps me, and hot toddy too, especially at night when I want a good night’s sleep. Hope you feel better soon!