Hot Toddy

Here’s how to make a hot toddy! Make this drink recipe with whiskey, rum, or brandy, and it will warm you from the inside out.

There’s nothing better to lift your spirits on a gray day than a steaming hot drink. Here’s one that’s been around for centuries: the classic hot todd! This historic drink was once a cure for the common cold, and with one sip you’ll know why. A hint of hot bourbon, rum or brandy blends harmoniously with lemon and honey. Even the slight steam on your face when you inhale the aroma makes this drink a worthwhile concoction. Here’s how to make a hot toddy!

What is a hot toddy?

The hot todd is a mixed drink made from alcohol, hot water and honey, often with lemon, spices or tea. The drink originated in British-occupied India: “Taddy” was a Hindi word meaning a drink made from fermented palm sap. In 1786, the word “taddy” was defined in English as a drink containing alcohol, hot water, and sugar.

With the help of Scotch whiskey, the drink became popular in England and Scotland. It then spread to America where rum and brandy were the available spirits and were used in grog. In the mid-1800s, Americans prescribed toddy as a remedy for the common cold!

Ingredients for a grog recipe

Many toddy recipes use tea as the base, but the easiest and tastiest form of this drink uses hot water. Here are the ingredients you will need for this toddy recipe:

• whiskey, rum or brandy (see below)
• Honey (or plain maple syrup)
• lemon
• Hot water

How to make grog

You don’t have to have a cold to drink hot toddy these days. But once you take that first sip, you’ll understand why it’s said to have a strengthening effect. The way hot water opens up the flavors of whiskey, brandy or rum makes it deliciously easy to sip. Here’s what to do:

• To mix together: In a serving glass, mix 3 tablespoons of whiskey, rum, or brandy with 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Add hot water: Pour in ½ cup hot water (substitute hot tea if desired).
• Add lemon: Squeeze a slice of lemon.
• Garnish: Add whole spices like cloves, cinnamon stick, and star anise. These are optional but add a nice aromatic kick.

Use any type of whiskey, rum, or brandy

The grog is infinitely customizable depending on the type of alcohol used. You can use any type of whiskey, rum or brandy to slightly change the flavor.

• Whiskey: Use bourbon for sweet oak and vanilla notes, scotch for a peaty spiciness, rye for a tangy finish, or Irish whiskey for a gentle sweetness. Go to Bourbon Hot Toddy.
• Rum: Try white rum, aged rum, or dark rum instead of whiskey for a smoother taste. Aged rum and dark rum add even more nuance to the taste. Go to Hot Toddy Rum.
• Brandy: Brandy adds notes of dried fruit and citrus, with woody notes in the finish. Go to Brandy Hot Toddy.

A hot toddy with tea

Making grog with tea is a common twist on this drink! However, we prefer it with hot water. Here’s what you need to know about making a Hot Toddy:

• You may need to add more sweetener. The drink tastes more bitter with tea, so you may need to add a bit more sweetener to balance the taste. For this reason we prefer to use hot water.
• What types of tea work best? Black tea or herbal tea are good in terms of taste. Our favorite tea is the Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice, which brings a warm and spicy taste. Here’s how to make tea.

More flavor variations

Aside from the type of liquor, there are many other ways to vary this hot toddy recipe! Here are some creative flavor variations:

• cider: Try this Apple Cider Hot Toddy: The sweet tangy cider makes the drink great
• Cranberry: Substitute unsweetened cranberry juice for hot water (heat on stovetop or in microwave).
• Orange: Replace hot water with orange juice.
• Maple: Use maple syrup instead of honey.

More hot drinks

There are many more hot drinks for the cool weather! Here are some of the best hot cocktails to warm you up: