Classic Hot Toddy Recipe (2024)

The Classic Hot Toddy Recipe is a whiskey drink that’ll warm you up, and keep you happy. It may even help ward off colds and sore throats.

This mixed drink is served hot, and enjoyed as a night-cap or slow sipper. It’s a perfect evening drink all fall and winter long!

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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

What is a Hot Toddy?

Wikipedia says that the word toddy comes from the toddy drink in India.

So, literally, it means Hot Drink.

But, what exactly goes into it, well, there are many variations.

For my version of this classic co*cktail, you’ll only need 4 ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice, hot water, and honey.

Apparently, National Hot Toddy Day is January 11^th! Let’s celebrate!

Can I mix it up?

Yes, any good whiskey will be great in this drink.

Feel free to use your favorite, or just whatever’s in the booze closet.

You can also make your hot toddy with dark rum, whisky, bourbon, or brandy.

Learn more about whisky vs. whiskey.

Some people like to add herbal tea, ginger, and cinnamon to the drink. It’s all good. Feel free to make it your own.

Oh, and traditionally, you’d serve the hot toddy in a glass mug. However, I don’t have a glass mug, and love my little tea cups. So, I serve it in a tea cup.

Just like the drink itself, I feel that you can mix up the serving cup.

Help soothe my cold and get some rest

The Hot Toddy drink is a great relaxer when you need something to help relieve an irritating cold or sore throat.

While a Hot Toddy can’t necessarily cure the cold, the warm beverage’s ingredients are known to ease cold symptoms.

For decades people have used the hot toddy as a natural remedy for easing aches and pains associated with the common cold.

A hot toddy will help you fall asleep. And, sleep is important to recovery.

There is, however, such a thing as too many hot toddies. Want to read more on How food affects sleep and how to get better sleep, check out my article.

While the alcohol in one drink is great for falling asleep and feeling refreshed, too many and the sleep you get won’t be refreshing, and could cause you to wake up the next morning with a hangover. So stick to one, and you’re good to go.

Looking for other warming co*cktails?

Try these delicious libations: The Rob Roy: A Classic co*cktail , Cherry Scotch Sipper , and the Espresso Martini.

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Classic Hot Toddy Recipe