Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter night? This hot toddy recipe has got you covered.

A hot toddy is a warm drink made with dark rum (or swap in whiskey or bourbon if you prefer), honey, lemon, and a blend of spices.

Mix up a mug and snuggle up by the fireplace. You won’t be disappointed!

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (1)

What is a Hot Toddy?

A hot toddy is a traditional co*cktail that has been enjoyed for centuries and has its roots in India where a fermented palm sap called “taddy” was popular. Over time, the hot toddy has evolved and is now made with a base of hot water, rum or whiskey, honey, and lemon juice and often flavored with spices like cinnamon and cloves.

It’s not only a delicious drink, but some people even believe it can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold or sore throat. So next time you’re in need of a comforting warm drink, give a hot toddy a try!

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (2)

Ingredients in a Hot Toddy

Spirits – Dark rum is the traditional spirit of choice in a hot toddy, but also delicious are whiskey, bourbon, or brandy.

Mixer – All you really need is boiling water to mix with the spirits and spices, but for more depth of flavor, steep a teabag in a pot before adding it in. Citrusy Earl Grey is an excellent choice, or try your favorite lemony herb tea.

Spices and Flavorings – A hot toddy wouldn’t be the same without cinnamon and clove. Or, give it a bigger kick with pumpkin pie spice mix that has ginger and allspice it too! Substitute a slice of orange for the lemon, or use both!

Sweetener – Honey is customary here, but white demerara sugar, or even brown sugar will work, especially with dark rum! Or, make this simple syrup recipe and keep it on hand for all your holiday co*cktails!

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How to Make a Hot Toddy

Making a hot toddy is so easy with these simple steps!

  1. Fill mugs with boiling water and steep cinnamon sticks and cloves (as per recipe below).
  2. Stir in honey, rum, and lemon juice.
  3. Add a slice of lemon and serve.

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5 from 6 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a Hot Toddy to warm you up when the weather gets chilly!

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (9)

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 12 minutes minutes

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (10)

Servings 2 co*cktails

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (11)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 2 cups boiling water or hot tea
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 ounces dark rum or whiskey or bourbon
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 slices lemon

Instructions

  • Add cinnamon sticks and cloves to two mugs.

  • Pour boiling water and let steep 2-3 minutes.

  • Stir in honey, rum and lemon juice. Add lemon slices and serve.

Notes

Optional: Tea bags can be added to each mug along with the cinnamon sticks if desired. Allow to steep about 3 minutes, remove and discard tea bags.
Rum can be replaced with whisky or bourbon.

5 from 6 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 142 | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (12) Course Beverage, Drink

Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (13) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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Cozy Hot Toddy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best whiskey for a hot toddy? ›

Irish Whiskey: Known for its smoothness and light sweetness, brands like Jameson and Bushmills blend well without overpowering the other ingredients. Bourbon: With its rich, vanilla, and caramel notes, bourbon like Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve adds depth and complements the honey and lemon in the toddy.

Is a hot toddy good for a bad cough? ›

The ingredients in a hot toddy have been shown to have cough-suppressing properties. Alcohol isn't needed in the recipe to experience these benefits. Consuming warm water, lemon, and honey is the key to symptom relief. Additional items can be added to taste, such as tea, clove, and ginger.

Can you drink hot toddy every day? ›

Best consumed in small doses and infrequently, Hot Toddies can only be served as as medicine to those 21 and over, should not replace a medical professional's advice, and are best followed by a tall glass of water, some herbal tea, and plenty of rest and TLC.

What alcohol is good for a cold and cough? ›

Mulled wine ranks among the best drinks for soothing sore throat and cough. Red wine with oranges or lemons, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, cardamom, or honey is warmed to serve as a remedy against cold.

What does a hot toddy do to your body? ›

The alcohol can help clear mucus by dilating blood vessels in the upper body. The steam from the hot water might also help to clear congestion. Whiskey might also cause drowsiness, helping you to get more rest.

Can hot toddies get you drunk? ›

The hot toddy is not one of those drinks that you down simply to get drunk. It is more of an experience and a way to relax, so its alcohol content may be irrelevant for the most part. However, for the curious drinker, you can expect it to weigh in around 6 percent ABV (12 proof).

What's the difference between a hot toddy and a hot whiskey? ›

A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, and occasionally called southern cough syrup within the Southern United States, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey (or in some recipes, sugar), lemon, herbs (such as tea) and spices, and served hot.

What tea is best for hot toddy? ›

You can use whatever tea you want for a hot toddy, and any full-bodied, flavorful tea that can stand up well to the strong flavors of spirits and lemon is a good option.

Does hot toddy break up mucus? ›

From a hot toddy, lemon and honey coat the throat and cut through the unpleasant mucus lingering in the head; cinnamon offers sweet warmth to the beverage, and the bourbon takes a more aggressive approach in combatting congestion.

Why do people drink hot toddies when they're sick? ›

"Hot toddies, as the name implies, are served hot. Heat does wonders for someone when sick. A hot beverage can soothe the throat and can provide someone who has shaking (with) chills the feeling and comfort of a warm hug," Ascher said. The heat also helps to break down and thin out mucus to help clear it from the body.

What is the best whiskey for a cough? ›

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey

Perhaps you're new to whiskey and are not yet ready for something overly bold that will linger on the back of your throat. Don't worry, you'll get there. But, for now, if you want a smooth and slightly sweet whiskey to kick things off, Jack Daniel's is your best bet.

Does the alcohol boil off in hot toddy? ›

But fear not, hot cider, hot toddy, and mulled wine lovers: Around 85 percent of your beloved alcohol will survive the heating process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did a study in 2007 that nailed down the numbers with the magic of the scientific method.

Does a hot toddy help you sleep at night? ›

Spirits combined with hot water (or herbal tea) honey and lemon is a beverage that helps clear up your cold symptoms and makes you feel toasty and cozy. According to folklore, by the time you finish the drink you will be breathing better, and the alcohol will start to make you drowsy so you can rest easy.

Does hot toddy help you sleep? ›

The addition of cinnamon, cloves and ginger may have benefits it and of themselves but such a warm and comforting warm winter drink can reduce stress levels and improve your ability to sleep.

What hot drinks are good for a cold? ›

For boosted immunity and/or sickness relief, try making lemon-ginger-cinnamon tea or a hot toddy. To make the immune-boosting tea, simply squeeze half a lemon into a mug and add the lemon rind. Add one or two cinnamon sticks and five slices of peeled ginger root.

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