Hot Toddies are perfect to make when you’re feeling a little under the weather or if you feel like your body is fighting off some bug or other. Hot Toddies are however considered a cocktail, you can ask for one at a bar! This is because a traditional Hot Toddy contains whiskey. You can easily omit the whiskey altogether or substitute the whiskey for a little extra hot water and an inch or so of sliced ginger pieces. The ginger gives the “burn” that the whiskey would give, except in an alcohol-free manner.
When I think of a Hot Toddy I think of a light, soothing drink for colds and flu, definitely not a cocktail! The ingredients of honey, lemon and cinnamon provide a number of medicinal properties. The alcohol on the other hand can help promote relaxation and sleep although there are no recommendations that alcohol will help with symptoms of colds and flu. So, do what feels best for your body!
The recipe below is a suggested recipe. You may enjoy less or more of any one ingredient or you may decide to omit an ingredient completely such as the cinnamon stick or even the whiskey.
You can substitute the whiskey for brandy or rum. You do not need to go out and buy an expensive bottle of whiskey/rum/brandy as even the most basic will do.
If you are looking for other lovely ingredients to “spice” up your Hot toddy, you can try things like cloves and star anise which also impart a good dose of antioxidants.
I have also included a suggested Hot Toddy Recipe for kids which you can find below.
I first made a Hot Toddy for my husband when his throat was feeling a little scratchy. I accidentally added about 4 tablespoons of whiskey as I got the conversion wrong and it tasted VERY strong as you can imagine. In fact, it tasted terrible and I thought, seriously, people drink this?
Thankfully, I re-visited the recipe and realised my mistake. It tastes way better now with just 1 ½ tablespoons of whiskey and feels like a soothing drink rather than something to reluctantly slug back!
A Hot Toddy is really easy to make! Choose a large heatproof glass or ceramic mug and add the hot water. Then add the whiskey, honey and lemon juice and give it a swirl to mix everything together. You may find that the honey sits on the bottom which you can leave as is or you can stir it some more to dissolve it. Add a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick to your Hot Toddy to finish it off.
The cinnamon and slice of lemon are optional but they do impart beneficial antioxidants and general health-giving properties, and it looks good too!
How to Make a Hot Toddy for Colds and Flu
Prep Time: 5 mins- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
Yield: 1 glass 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
A classic Hot Toddy Recipe for Colds and Flu made with just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients
Hot Toddy for Adults:
- ¾ cup hot water (it doesn’t need to be boiling water)
- 1 ½ tablespoons whiskey
- 1–2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 lemon round (optional)
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 inch ginger sliced (optional)
Hot Toddy for Kids
- ¾ cup hot water (it doesn’t need to be boiling water)
- 1–2 teaspoons honey
- 1 –2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 Rooibos Tea Bag (optional)
Instructions
- In a large heatproof glass or ceramic mug, add the hot water.
- Then add the whiskey, honey and lemon juice and give it a swirl to mix everything together.* (See Note)
- Add a slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick to your Hot Toddy to finish it off** (See Note)
Notes
*Notes: You may find that the honey sits on the bottom which you can leave as is or you can stir it some more to dissolve it.
**The cinnamon and slice of lemon are optional but they do impart beneficial antioxidants and general health-giving properties.
For more health-affirming recipes! Try these:
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