Instructions
Brew Tea:
- Brew a fresh glass of tea and fill a tall glass or mug about ¾ full with the hot tea.
Add Honey:
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey until it’s fully dissolved in the tea.
Add Brandy:
- Pour in 2 oz of brandy and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with Lemon:
- Add a slice of lemon on top for a touch of citrus flavor.
Serve:
- Enjoy the Hot Toddy warm!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Hot Toddy comes out of 18th-century Scotland and Ireland, where it was a way to make rough whisky drinkable in cold weather. The word 'toddy' itself comes from Hindi ('tari', fermented palm sap) via British soldiers in colonial India who brought back the term and applied it to hot spirit-and-water drinks back home.
The cold-remedy reputation followed because warm honey and lemon do soothe a sore throat, and the alcohol does (briefly) help you sleep. None of which actually fights the virus. It just makes the night more bearable.
What it tastes like
Warm whiskey, faint honey sweetness, fresh lemon brightness, and aromatic spice from cloves or cinnamon. Drinks like a hug from a barkeep in winter.
The exact flavour depends entirely on the whiskey. Scotch makes it smoky. Bourbon makes it sweet and oaky. Irish whiskey makes it soft and clean. Pick your poison.
The technique
60ml whiskey, 15ml honey, 15ml fresh lemon juice, 120ml hot (not boiling) water. Stir until the honey dissolves. Add a cinnamon stick and a couple of cloves stuck into a lemon wheel. Let it sit for a minute before drinking.
Hot water, not boiling. Boiling kills the lemon and burns off the alcohol. Aim for around 80 degrees Celsius (175F). Most kettles are too hot straight after boiling; let them sit for 60 seconds.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The whiskey
- Use
- Bourbon (Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 101) or Irish (Jameson)
- Try
- A peaty Scotch (Laphroaig) for a smoky, medicinal version
- Why
- Bourbon is sweet and warming. Irish is soft. Smoky scotch makes it taste like a fireside.
The honey
- Use
- Real honey, ideally a darker variety (manuka, buckwheat, eucalyptus)
- Skip
- Sugar or maple syrup (less complexity)
- Why
- Honey is the soothing element and brings floral and earthy notes that sugar can't.
The water
- Use
- Hot water, around 80C / 175F, not boiling
- Skip
- Boiling water (burns off alcohol and brightness)
- Why
- Below boiling preserves the lemon and the alcohol. Water that's too cold won't dissolve the honey.
Variations
Other warming whiskey drinks for cold months and wet evenings.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Brandy, rum (dark or spiced), or even gin all work. Each makes a different drink with a different name historically.
Maple syrup, brown sugar (1 teaspoon), or demerara syrup. Maple is the closest swap.
Bottled lemon juice is acceptable here because the heat masks oxidation. Use 10ml.
Add a slice of fresh ginger to the cup before you pour the hot water. Or add a cinnamon stick and let it steep.
Swap whiskey for ginger tea or strong black tea. Add an extra teaspoon of honey. Same warmth, no alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Hot Toddy?
Whiskey, hot water, honey, lemon juice, and a couple of cloves. Standard spec: 60ml whiskey, 120ml hot water, 15ml honey, 15ml fresh lemon, plus garnish.
How do you make a Hot Toddy?
Add 60ml whiskey, 15ml honey, and 15ml fresh lemon to a heat-safe mug. Top with 120ml hot (not boiling) water and stir until the honey dissolves. Garnish with a lemon wheel studded with cloves and a cinnamon stick.
Where did the Hot Toddy come from?
18th-century Scotland and Ireland. The word 'toddy' comes from a Hindi term ('tari') meaning fermented palm sap, brought back by British soldiers from colonial India and applied to hot spirit-and-water drinks in Britain.
Does a Hot Toddy actually cure a cold?
No. It soothes the symptoms (warm honey-and-lemon helps a sore throat, alcohol relaxes you for sleep) but doesn't fight the virus. It's a comfort, not a cure. Drink water alongside.
What whiskey is best in a Hot Toddy?
Bourbon for sweetness, Irish whiskey for softness, peaty Scotch for smoke and medicinal warmth. Avoid expensive single malts; the spice and lemon will mute them.
Can I make a Hot Toddy without alcohol?
Yes. Use ginger tea or strong black tea instead of whiskey, and add an extra teaspoon of honey. Same warmth, no booze. Sometimes called a Mock Toddy.
How hot should the water be?
Around 80 degrees Celsius (175F). Just below boiling. Boiling water burns off the alcohol and turns the lemon bitter. Let your kettle sit for a minute after it boils.
How strong is a Hot Toddy?
About 12 to 14 percent ABV in the mug. The hot water is dilution, but the alcohol per serving is roughly the same as a glass of wine.
Should a Hot Toddy be made in a glass mug?
Glass or ceramic, both fine. Glass shows off the colour. Ceramic holds heat better. Avoid metal mugs; the lemon reacts.
What spices go in a Hot Toddy?
Cloves, cinnamon, sometimes star anise. Stick a few cloves into a lemon wheel and float it in the drink. A cinnamon stick acts as a stirrer and infuses gently.
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