Classic Hot Toddy

I love a classic hot toddy. In this post we will teach you to make the best hot toddy and customize it to your taste. This recipe is usually made of just four ingredients- hot water, whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and honey.

As soon as the cold weather starts to set in I feel in the mood for this drink. A great option for the cold winter months and anytime you have a sore throat or the flu. As soon as you feel the cold symptoms coming on, make yourself a nice hot toddy. Of course, no need to be ill to try a hot toddy- these are delicious and cozy all winter long.

More hot cocktails + drinks: Irish Coffee, Mulled Wine, Hot Buttered Rum, Glühwein (German Mulled Wine), Medicine Ball, Turmeric Latte.

What does it taste like?

A hot toddy is a sweet, warm whiskey cocktail. The top flavors are whiskey and honey. It tastes like a hot tea with honey and whiskey added. If you don’t like whiskey you can make this recipe using dark rum, scotch or flavored whiskey like Fireball, which is cinnamon flavored whisky. You can taste the liquor, so choose one you enjoy the flavor of.

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Ingredients in a Hot Toddy

• Hot Water We recommend using filtered water if your water at home has any taste to it at all.
• Whiskey Our favorite is Tennessee Whiskey. You can also use Bourbon, Irish Whiskey, Japanese Whiskey, Scotch or Dark Rum. The flavor does come through, so choose your personal favorite.
• Lemon Juice freshly squeezed is a must for this recipe.
• Honey A generous squeeze of honey will help soothe your throat and sweeten this drink.

The best glassware to serve a hot toddy in is a clear mug. Here’s the exact ridged mug we used in these photos.

How To Make

First, add whiskey and honey to a mug.

Next, pour in the hot water on top (and give that a couple stirs to make sure the honey dissolves).

Add lemon to garnish.

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Tips for Making

• If you want to be able to sip your drink right away use water around 140°F to 150°F. This is warm, but not boiling hot.
• Rub the outside rim of your mug with lemon before serving.
• My favorite secret ingredient to add to a hot toddy is a handful of fresh mint leaves. It creates the best sensory experience ever.

Hot Toddy Variation Ideas

• Flavored Tea Any flavor that goes well with the spirit you are using (I like to use lemon, ginger, or cinnamon)
• Apple Flavor Make an apple hot toddy by adding half a packet of apple cider mix to your drink. Or use a full packet and replace the tea entirely.
• Add Ins Add a star anise, an orange slice, a clove-studded orange wedge, a whole cinnamon stick, or a lemon peel. These are all great garnish ideas that add flavor to your drink.
• Maple Syrup Replace honey with maple syrup for a nice cozy variation. You can also use agave nectar as a substitution for honey.

Need more hot toddy recipes?

• Sweet Tea Hot Toddy
• Cranberry Spiced Hot Toddy
• Apple Cinnamon Hot Toddy
• If you enjoy scotch try a Rusty Nail cocktail.
• Best alcohol-free drink when you are sick is Medicine Ball Tea

After a cold day, I love a hot toddy! Cheers.

P.S. Check out 40 Fun Cocktails to Make at Home for more recipes!

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5 from 5 votes

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Get the Recipe

A simple hot cocktail with only four ingredients

Yield 1 serving

Prep 3 minutes mins

Total 3 minutes mins

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ ounces whiskey (or bourbon)
• ▢ 1 cup hot water
• ▢ 2 teaspoons honey
• ▢ lemon

Equipment

• ▢
  1 Hot water kettle
• ▢
  1 mug

Instructions

• Add the whiskey and honey to a mug.
• Add the hot water. I like to heat the water to between 140°F to 150°F, but whatever you usually make hot tea at is fine.
• Stir so the honey dissolves.
• Add a lemon slice.

Notes

You can swap out the lemon for any citrus including orange. Squeeze to release some juice, or you can peel the rind and add that as garnish too.

Here are a few things you can add to spice a simple hot toddy up: cinnamon sticks, spices like nutmeg or turmeric, apple cider mix, tea that goes well with the spirits you are using. 

You can use whiskey, bourbon, or rum—just use one you would sip (not a white rum or something that should be mixed in with stronger tasting ingredients). 

© Author Emma Chapman

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keywords cocktails, hot toddy

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Classic Honey Toddy

Amount per Serving

Calories

149

% Daily Value*

Sodium

 

12

mg

1

%

Potassium

 

8

mg

0

%

Carbohydrates

 

12

g

4

%

Fiber

 

0.03

g

0

%

Sugar

 

12

g

13

%

Protein

 

0.04

g

0

%

Vitamin C

 

0.1

mg

0

%

Calcium

 

8

mg

1

%

Iron

 

0.1

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.