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Easy Hot toddy recipe! A classic alcoholic hot beverage perfect to combat cold, cough and sore throat or just to sip on a cold evening. My simple hot toddy for cold is made from whiskey (bourbon), honey, hot water, lemon and two other ingredients.
Stay with me and I will show you how to make the perfect hot toddy recipe for the common cold.
Easy Hot Toddy for Cold and Cough
At this time of the year, it is very easy to pick up a cough or common cold anywhere you turn to, I make sure I have 2 things in my fridge and cabinet. A bottle of whiskey or brandy, then homemade cough mixture in the fridge for my girls (like this honey and lemon drink). Both have similar ingredients apart from the alcohol added to ours.
Hot toddy drink is for the other adult human (wink) and I, while the non-alcoholic cough mixture is for the girls. There are so many variations to this easy hot toddy recipes, but I tend to stick with the classic and easy to find ingredients.
What is Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is a hot beverage made with hot water, liquor and honey and it is usually served hot. It is classed as a Scottish drink and also called hot whiskey. If you are looking for a nightcap drink on a cold winter night, hot toddies have got your back.
Is Hot Toddy Truly Good For Sore Throat, Cough and Cold
The simple answer is yes. Honey will soothe the back of your throat, hot water to help with cold and the lemon acts as the Vitamin C. The addition of whiskey, brandy or rum is just for pleasure; Although, there is a claim that whiskey is a great decongestant.
That being said, you should drink it in moderation when using to cure a common cold and keep yourself well hydrated too.
Honey, lemon and hot water work well for cold without the liquor… Just saying before you start getting ideas. More importantly, get some rest and a glass of this easy hot toddy recipe, you are guaranteed a good night’s sleep.
What Makes A Classic, Easy Hot Toddy Recipe
To make this warm and comforting cold remedy hot beverage, you would need these four main ingredients.
Hot water
Whiskey or bourbon or brandy if that is what you have at hand.
Fresh lemon juice
Honey
Other Hot Toddy Variation Includes
To make this winter cocktail perfect for the cold weather, you need to add some woody spices for perfect warmth. Not only do these spices have their own health benefits but they also say Christmas and holiday too.
Cinnamon sticks: I didn’t add to this recipe, but it is a great addition.
Cloves
Star anise
Lemon slices
Orange slices
Apple cider vinegar
Black tea or green tea: swap hot water for any black tea of choice.
Swap honey for maple syrup, agave nectar or any other natural sweetener of choice
Use rye whiskey if having this drink cold
Whiskey is the most popular to use but you may also use brandy or rum
These above ingredients are optional but highly recommended for a full healing effect. You can have your cake and eat it with a hot toddy drink. The hot beverage heals your body and you enjoy the drink at the same time. Win-Win!
How to make the Best Easy Hot Toddy For Cold
Truth be told, there are no rules on how to make hot toddy cocktail but for the purpose of this post, I will provide a simple guide on how to make this classic drink.
First, you need hot boiling water, about a glass or depending on how many people you are brewing for.
To a mug, add few cloves and star anise then pour the hot boiling water in a mug. Add honey, lemon juice, whiskey (bourbon, brandy or rum) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the honey and lemon to suit your taste.
Enjoy hot!!
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Easy Hot Toddy Recipe (For Cold and Cough)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of boiling water about 150ml to 200ml
- 1 shot of whiskey about 45ml sub with brandy, rum or bourbon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 star anise
- 4 cloves or use as desired
- Lemon slice to garnish
- 1 cinnamon stick to garnish
Instructions
- To a mug, add the cloves and star anise then pour the hot boiling water. Add honey, lemon juice, whiskey (bourbon, brandy or rum) to the hot water and stir to combine until the honey completely dissolved. Taste and adjust the honey and lemon to suit your taste. Add a cinnamon stick to garnish the drink if using
- Enjoy hot!!
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You can also add 10-12 leaves of Tulsi (Holy Basil) per serving while boiling water.
Thank you, Rupa, I will surely try that out.