Hot Toddy Cold Remedy

This Hot Toddy recipe is a cold remedy you can mix up at home with simple ingredients that will soothe a sore throat, reduce congestion, and aid sleep. A mixed drink recipe made with lemon, honey, whiskey, and tea.

A mug of hot whiskey, honey, and lemon is sure to help you feel better when you get a common cold! So keep this recipe handy when cold and flu season hits!

Luckily, I haven’t been sick yet this winter, but I know that one cold remedy that always helps get me through the symptoms of a cold is a good, strong Hot Toddy.

This concoction always seems to help me sleep as well as soothe my throat, two things I usually really need and are hard to come when fighting a cold, along with my heating pad.

And while there likely isn’t a wrong way to make a toddy, there is definitely a GOOD way!

What Is It?

It is an alcoholic hot drink used to aid sleep and soothe sore throats. Usually, the drink is made with hot water, liquor, lemon, honey, and spice. It’s great to fight off cold and flu or enjoy on a cold winter night.

Here are the basic ingredients and all you need is a mug and boiling water once you have these things and you’ll be ready when cold symptoms hit!

What Ingredients Are In It?

Tea – Yes, tea! Traditionally, this drink is made with just hot water. But why let that water go to waste when you can add a tea bag to it!

If rest is your goal, I’d use an herbal tea or white tea like chamomile or jasmine.

However, If you just want to lay on the couch and watch Netflix all afternoon, my favorite flavors are this Peaches and Ginger tea and this African Autumn tea.

Liquor – You can choose whichever liquor, some of the more popular options include whiskey, brandy, white or dark rum, scotch, and gin. I personally prefer either Bourbon or Irish Whiskey.

Studies have shown that whiskey can aid sleep, however, don’t turn hot toddies into regular nightcaps because your body will build up a tolerance and they won’t be as effective.

I only drink them when I’m sick, and it’s VERY important that you don’t mix hot toddies with cold medicine or cough syrup. 

Honey – A long time natural cough suppressant, your throat will thank you for this thick amber sweetener! It’s best to use local honey, one from the same county you live in, but in a pinch, good store-bought honey will do.

Lemon – This vibrant citrus is a key component of a cold-busting toddy no matter how you mix the other ingredients. It’s important that you use fresh lemon juice and not the bottle stuff. The lemon juice added to hot water or tea helps to reduce congestion.

Spice – Now, this is truly up to you, for me, I use tea, while those who use just straight up hot water may decide to add a cinnamon stick or whole cloves to their toddies for additional spice.

Vinegar – Now, I personally like the taste of my hot toddies, but some people like them to really pack that cold killing punch and they add Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to them, about 1 to 2 tablespoons should be plenty if you decide to try it out.

How Do You Make It?

As I said, there are a million ways to make one, there are just so many ingredients and so many ratios to choose from! However, this is my favorite way to make them! Get the full printable recipe at the bottom of the post!

So there you have it, tons of options and ways to customize this drink to fit your style and taste. Just use the recipe below for measurements and instructions and you’ll be sipping this homemade cold remedy in no time!

Do you have a favorite way to make hot toddies, maybe something I didn’t mention that I should try? Tell me in the comments!

The hot toddy is a classic recipe and it’s changed over the years as it’s come down through generations and families. But one thing remains, they make you feel better, and people love them.

Or at least I do. And a gift basket with all the ingredients to make them is a great get well gift for a friend, just make sure to include a fun coffee mug!

More Delicious Drink Recipes!

• Cranberry Orange Mimosa
• Maine Maple Lemonade
• Kahlua Hot Chocolate
• Crockpot Hot Chocolate
• Jelly Donut Shot

Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review, I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos! You can also Subscribe to my Newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

Hot Toddy

Rebecca Hubbell

This Hot Toddy recipe is a cold remedy you can mix up at home with simple ingredients that will soothe a sore throat, reduce congestion, and aid sleep. A mixed drink recipe made with lemon, honey, whiskey, and tea.

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 7 mins

Total Time 7 mins

Course Cocktail, Drink, Drinks

Cuisine American, English

Servings 1

Calories 165 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 ounces hot water
• 1 bag tea¹
• 1 tablespoon honey²
• 1 1/2 ounces liquor³
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice⁴
• 1 lemon slice⁴
• 1 cinnamon stick⁵ optional
• 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar⁶ optional

Instructions

 

• In a mug, add the hot water and tea bag. Steep the tea based on the recommended time on the package. 
• Remove the tea bag (if you’d like) and add in the honey, give it a quick stir to help it dissolve. 
• Top off with the liquor and lemon juice, stir to combine and finish with a fresh slice of lemon.

Video

Notes

1. Traditionally, this drink is made with just hot water. But why let that water go to waste when you can add a tea bag to it! If rest is your goal, I’d use an herbal tea or white tea like chamomile or jasmine. However, If you just want to lay on the couch and watch Netflix all afternoon, my favorite flavors are this Peaches and Ginger tea and this African Autumn tea.
2. A long time natural cough suppressant, your throat will thank you for this thick amber sweetener! It’s best to use local honey, one from the same county you live in, but in a pinch, good store-bought honey will do.
3. You can choose whichever liquor, some of the more popular options include whiskey, brandy, white or dark rum, scotch, and gin. I personally prefer either Bourbon or Irish Whiskey. Studies have shown that whiskey can aid sleep, however, don’t turn hot toddies into regular nightcaps because your body will build up a tolerance and they won’t be as effective. I only drink them when I’m sick, and it’s VERY important that you don’t mix hot toddies with cold medicine or cough syrup. 
4. This vibrant citrus is a key component of a cold-busting toddy no matter how you mix the other ingredients. It’s important that you use fresh lemon juice and not the bottle stuff. The lemon juice added to hot water or tea helps to reduce congestion.
5. This is truly up to you, for me, I use tea, while those who use just straight up hot water may decide to add a cinnamon stick or whole cloves to their toddies for additional spice.
6. I personally like the taste of my hot toddies, but some people like them to really pack that cold killing punch and they add Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to them, about 1 to 2 tablespoons should be plenty if you decide to try it out.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 18gSodium: 9mgSugar: 17gVitamin C: 5.8mg

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