Apple Cider Hot Toddy

This cider toddy is the epitome of a cozy drink! Add bourbon for a delicious, fortified hot beverage.

Looking for a drink to warm you up on a chilly evening? A toddy is one thing, but even better? Try one Cider toddy! Apple cider is the perfect balance in a tog, adding just the right amount of sweet and sour undertones to the taste. Mix one up in a single serving or make a large batch for your guests, like a fortified cider. Either way, you’ll love this warming drink!

Ingredients for a cider grog

A hot todd is a mixed drink made from alcohol, hot water and honey, often with lemon, spices or tea. It has a long history: originally from India, it was common in Britain as early as the 1780s. By the mid-19th century, it had spread: Americans prescribed it as a remedy for colds.

Some toddy recipes use water as the base, like our Classic Hot Toddy. Others use tea, but the best idea we’ve come up with? cider. It adds a huge amount of flavor and complements the liqueur perfectly. Here are the ingredients you need for this apple cider toddy recipe:

• cider
• bourbon
• Honey (or plain maple syrup)
• lemon

Use bourbon or one of these alternatives

Bourbon and cider are a classic pairing: in fact, we have several cider cocktails that feature this pairing (such as cider bourbon cocktail, spiked cider and whiskey and cider).

But you don’t want to use whiskey? Hot toddy has traditionally been made with one of these liqueurs:

• Any kind of whiskeyincluding Scotch or Irish whiskey (you can also use rye)
• rumcommonly used in America in the 1800s (try a rum hot toddy)
• brandyanother American version (try a Brandy Hot Toddy)

Either way, the cider blends seamlessly with the liqueur, making this drink incredibly easy to drink.

How to make apple cider toddy

Hot toddy in its purest form is more of a fireside fortifying drink than a cocktail to serve at parties (although you can make that too!). To make cider toddy:

• To mix together: In a serving glass, mix 3 tablespoons of bourbon with 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Add hot apple cider: Pour in ½ cup hot apple cider.
• Add lemon: Squeeze a slice of lemon.

Or do it for a crowd!

Want to make a cider toddy recipe for a crowd? You can do that too. Here’s how to make a batch that serves 8 at a time! Heat the following items on the stovetop until hot, but not boiling:

• 4 cups of cider
• 1 1/2 cups of bourbon
• 4 tablespoons of honey

Then garnish the glass and serve! Speaking of…

Toppings for a cider tog

A hot toddy doesn’t need to be garnished, especially since it’s not intended as a fancy drink. But you can if you want! This makes it more festive and interesting and adds some flair to the taste. You can add:

• orange slice (this really adds to the flavor)
• The cinnamon stick
• star anise
• cloves

More hot drinks

Do you like a good warming drink in autumn or winter? Here are some of our best hot drinks to try: