Well hello there my little hot toddy friend.
No, I’m not talking to you, don’t be silly.
I’m talking to this lovely 7 ingredient hot toddy. My true love during the winter months.
I have been enjoying a hot toddy as an occasional way to wind down after dinner for the past few winters. Over time I have perfected my recipe and just had to share.
A hot toddy is a warm drink with fresh squeeze of lemon, honey, cinnamon (or other spices), and a good glug of whiskey, bourbon, or even spiced rum.
It’s simple.
It’s comforting.
It’s delicious.
And it’s relaxing!
Some people go so far as to say a hot toddy is a healthy drink. They swear by the warm alcohol, honey, and lemon to help with a cold. I wouldn’t call it unhealthy – I mean it’s naturally sweetened and contains good-for-you spices – but it’s certainly not my go-to drink for when I have a cold.
But maybe that’s because I like my hot toddy on the stronger side. 4 ounces of Jameson whiskey, if you please.
And when alcohol is served warm the alcohol tends to burn a little stronger going down. The last thing my soar throat needs.
However, I find a big mug of hot toddy my preferred winter cocktail on a Friday night while cuddling up on the couch to watch a movie with Paul – or when reading a good book.
It’s drinks like this hot toddy that help make long winters in Iowa a little more fun.
A Hot Toddy is super easy to make (10 minutes)! Here’s how:
- Boil some hot water
- Add your spices/flavors to a big mug- for me that’s cinnamon, cloves, fresh ginger, a big lemon wedge, and honey.
- Steep – allow the spices to steep in the hot water for 5 minutes
- Pour in the booze!!! Stir in your spirit of choice: bourbon, whiskey, or spiced rum.
- Sip away and enjoy.
That’s it!
I hope you love this super easy hot toddy as much as I do.
It just so happens to be Friday, look at that! Perfect timing to try it out!
P.S. It’s snowing as I type this post. I fully plan on making myself a hot toddy tonight. Nothing calls for a warm alcoholic drink like a snowy evening in January.
Never mind that it’s also a Tuesday! HA!
Easy 7 Ingredient Hot Toddy
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks, Easy
- Cuisine: Vegetarian, Vegan
Description
7 Ingredient hot toddy that’s infused with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon, honey and served warm with whiskey or bourbon. A simple and comforting winter cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups filtered water
- 1 large lemon wedge
- 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 to 5 cloves
- optional: 1 inch peeled ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon honey (sub maple syrup for vegans)
- 2 to 4 ounces whiskey or bourbon of choice (spiced rum is also great)
Instructions
- Prepare: Bring hot water to boil either in a tea kettle, microwave, or in a sauce pot. While the water is coming to a boil squeeze your lemon wedge over a large mug, add the lemon wedge to the mug along with the cinnamon sticks, cloves, sliced ginger, and honey.
- Steep: Pour the freshly boiled water into the mug, give it a good stir to mix in the honey. Allow the spices to steep for 5 minutes.
- Add the alcohol: Once the spices have steeped and are fragrant stir in your choice of whiskey, bourbon, or even spiced rum. Taste and add more honey for more sweetness or another small slice of lemon for more tartness. Enjoy immediately while it’s warm.
Notes
I personally use Jameson Irish whiskey because that’s what we love to keep on hand. I have also found a nice spiced rum enhances the flavors of the spices.
You can easily scale the recipe up if serving to a few guests.
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