You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this easy recipe! And it only takes a few minutes to put together, and you can stir it up right in the mug. Grab your favorite mug, put the kettle on, and you’ll be sipping on a comforting hot toddy in no time! If you’re looking for more cocktail recipes, try my Irish coffee, eggnog, or wassail.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Whiskey – Irish whiskey is the gold standard for hot toddies, but any type of whiskey or bourbon will work in this recipe. Honey – raw honey is packed with antioxidants and adds a rich caramel flavor, although any style of honey will do. Alternatively, you can swap the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar if preferred. Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor. Bring the lemon to room temperature and roll it back and forth on a hard surface to release the juices before cutting and juicing. Cinnamon Stick – adds a sweet, warming flavor to the drink and acts as a stir stick. You can also swap the cinnamon for whole cloves that float on top, or use a mix of both!
How to Make a Hot Toddy
- Juice a lemon using a citrus press or hand-squeeze the lemon over a fine-mesh strainer to filter out the seeds.
- Fill an 8- to 10-ounce mug with hot water until the mug is warm. Then pour out the water.
- Bring 2/3 cup of fresh water to a boil. Fill the warmed, empty mug with the hot water. Add the honey and stir until dissolved.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
- Stir in the whiskey.
- Garnish the mug with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
Use a glass mug. Glass warms quickly when you preheat the mug, which will keep the hot toddy recipe warm, and it makes for a pretty presentation. But really, you can use any mug you prefer! Add sweetness. Feel free to add more honey or sweetener to taste! Tinker with the amount until it’s right for you. Enhance the citrus. Add more lemon juice for a brighter taste. You can also swap the lemon juice for orange juice, meyer lemon, or lime juice, or stir in a mix of two for a zesty twist! Choose a different brown spirit. If whiskey isn’t your favorite, swap it out for an aged or spiced rum or brandy.
If you’ve tried this Hot Toddy recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
