A hot toddy is a warm drink made with hot water, honey, lemon and a little whisky. It is simple and it is kind. The only real trick is to keep the water hot but not boiling, so the whisky stays gentle and does not turn harsh.
The hot toddy
- You need (one glass): 50 to 60 ml whisky, 1 tablespoon honey, 15 ml fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon), 120 to 180 ml hot water, 1 cinnamon stick and 2 or 3 cloves.
- Make it: put the honey, lemon juice and whisky in a heatproof glass. Wait a minute after the kettle boils, then add the hot water and stir until the honey melts. Add the cinnamon, cloves and a lemon wheel, and let it steep for two minutes.
Three more warmers
Hot buttered rum. Stir 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a small knob of butter into 50 ml of dark rum, add 150 ml of hot water and finish with a pinch of nutmeg.
Irish coffee. Stir 1 teaspoon of brown sugar into 120 ml of hot coffee, add 40 ml of Irish whiskey, and float lightly whipped cream on top. Do not stir it in: drink the coffee through the cream.
Spiced apple, no alcohol. Warm 200 ml of apple juice with a cinnamon stick, 2 cloves and a slice of lemon for five minutes. Do not boil it. Pour into a mug and serve hot.
A note on colds
A toddy will not cure a cold. A warm drink with honey can feel soothing, and that is the honest limit of it. If you are unwell or taking medicine, the spiced apple is the better choice.
A few small rules
- Never boil the whisky. Add it to the glass, not to the pan.
- Use a simple, smooth whisky. Save the expensive bottle for sipping.
- Put the honey in first so it dissolves fully.
- Use a heatproof glass with a handle.
A warm mug needs no skill. It needs a kettle and a quiet ten minutes.
General information, not medical advice. Please drink responsibly.
