Hot Toddy Recipe
Hot water dissolves the honey completely and opens up the whiskey's aroma, while fresh lemon juice cuts the sweetness so the drink tastes warming rather than syrupy.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 3 min
- Total
- 8 min
- Servings
- 1
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or blended whiskey
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz hot water
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 2 whole whole cloves
- 1 slice lemon wheel, for garnish
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 204
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 21g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
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Instructions
- 1Bring water to a near-boil (around 200°F/93°C), just below a full rolling boil.
- 2Place the honey and lemon juice in a heatproof mug.
- 3Pour in about 1 ounce of the hot water and stir until the honey fully dissolves into a thin syrup.
- 4Add the whiskey, then top with the remaining hot water, leaving room for the garnish.
- 5Stir once, then drop in the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- 6Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve immediately while still steaming.
Tips & variations
- Swap the bourbon for aged rum, brandy, or Irish whiskey; each changes the character of the drink without changing the method.
- Use a dark, robust honey like buckwheat for a deeper flavor, or a mild clover honey for something lighter.
- For a spiced version, steep the cinnamon stick and cloves in the hot water for 5 minutes before building the drink, then strain them out.
- Add a small pat of butter for a richer, old-fashioned-style hot toddy sometimes called a 'hot buttered toddy.'
Storage & reheating
A hot toddy is meant to be mixed and served immediately; it doesn't hold or reheat well since the alcohol aroma fades and the lemon juice can turn bitter if it sits too long. If needed, the honey-lemon syrup base (steps 2-3) can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week, then combined with hot water and whiskey to order.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Warm the mug first by filling it with hot tap water for a minute, then dumping it out; a cold mug pulls heat out of the drink fast.
- A cinnamon stick used as a stirrer adds more flavor over the course of drinking than one just dropped in for looks.
FAQ
What alcohol is traditionally used in a hot toddy?
Whiskey (bourbon, rye, or Scotch) is the traditional base, though brandy and dark rum are common regional variations.
Can I make a hot toddy without alcohol?
Yes. Omit the whiskey and increase the hot water slightly; the honey, lemon, and spices still make a warm, flavorful drink on their own.
Is a hot toddy good for a cold?
It won't cure a cold, but the hot liquid, honey, and lemon can soothe a sore throat and ease congestion temporarily, and the warmth is comforting when you're sick.
What's the difference between a hot toddy and mulled wine?
A hot toddy is built on a spirit like whiskey with honey, lemon, and hot water, while mulled wine is wine simmered with spices and sweetener; they share warming spices but have entirely different bases.