ThirstyforKnowledge

An encyclopedia of drinks — mixed, poured, brewed and whisked

No. 012 Cocktails · Whisky & whiskey

Hot Toddy

Whisky, honey and lemon topped with hot water and lightly spiced. A house recipe for a cold evening.

A hot toddy in a glass mug with a cinnamon stick and lemon
A hot toddy Photo: Patrick Truby, CC BY-SA 2.0

Recipe card

ml oz

Makes 1 drink · about 4 min to make

Ingredients

Ounces are US fluid ounces (29.57 ml), rounded.

Method

  1. Warm a heatproof glass or mug with hot water, then empty it.
  2. Add the honey and a splash of hot water and stir until dissolved.
  3. Add the whisky and lemon juice, then top up with the hot water.
  4. Add the cloves (pressed into a lemon slice) or a cinnamon stick, if using, and stir.
Glass
Heatproof glass mug
Garnish
Lemon slice studded with cloves, or a cinnamon stick
Technique
Built
Difficulty
Easy

Printable recipe card

About the Hot Toddy

Recipes vary; this is our house version. Dissolve the honey in a little hot water first, then add the whisky and lemon and top up. Keep it warm, not boiling.

Background

A hot toddy is typically a mix of a spirit (usually whisky), hot water and honey or sugar, often with lemon and spices such as cloves or cinnamon. It is traditionally drunk as a nightcap or in wet or cold weather.

Tags: hot whisky winter

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — Hot toddy

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