Rum Hot Toddy

A hot rum grog is the best warm-up drink! Use white, aged, or dark rum for this easy recipe that have existed for centuries.

Here’s a drink to cheer you up: Hot Rum Toddy! This hot drink has been around for centuries and with just one sip you’ll know why. It warms you from head to toe (imagine that in times without central heating!). The rum mixes perfectly with hot water and honey, which opens and enhances its aromas. You can prepare this drink with white, old or dark rum: each adds different aromatic components.

Ingredients in a hot rum swirl

The hot todd is a mixed drink made from alcohol, hot water and honey, often with lemon or tea. Originally from India, it was standard in Britain as early as the 1780s! In the mid-19th century, Americans prescribed it as a remedy for the common cold.

The original toddy was made with whiskey like scotch. But when it caught on in America, it was made with rum or brandy, which were the easiest spirits to find at the time. (It’s not like today when you can get a bottle of just about any type of spirit at your local liquor store!) Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a Hot Toddy with Rum:

• rum of any kind
• maple syrup or honey
• Hot water
• lemon

rums

You can use any type of rum in a Hot Rum Toddy, and each will add unique flavors to the drink. You might think of white rum for daiquiris and mojitos, but it works great in a hot rum tody. Even better paired are aged rum and dark rum, which add intriguing flavor notes. Here’s how everyone changes tastes:

• white rum has a simple taste with a characteristic fruity finish
• old rum, also known Angel Rum, has hints of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus or caramel
• Dark rum has a deep caramel flavor and hints of cinnamon and spices

How to make hot rum toddy

A hot toddy is a soothing and invigorating drink to sip by the fire (it was once considered a cure for the common cold). Because of this, it’s less of a fancy cocktail and more of a tea concoction. Here’s what to do:

• To mix together: In a serving glass, mix 3 rums with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. We love the blend of pure maple syrup and rum (honey can taste slightly medicinal, but it’s still delicious!).
• Add hot water: Pour ½ cup hot water.
• Add lemon: Squeeze a slice of lemon.
• Garnish: Add a cinnamon stick if you like.

Serve it to a crowd

Are you entertaining and want to make this hot rum toddy recipe for a crowd? You can certainly do it: and it’s very easy to get confused. Simply heat the following ingredients on the stovetop until hot, but not boiling:

• 4 cups of hot water
• 1 ½ cups of rum
• ¼ cup maple syrup or honey

Once reheated, garnish in the same manner as the individual serving. Squeeze the juice from a slice of lemon and add a cinnamon stick if you like. That’s it!

More toddy recipes

Do you like good toddy? Here are many variations on the theme! Here are some other toddy recipes we love: