This Hot Toddy recipe can be mixed up at home with simple ingredients like lemon, honey, whiskey, and tea. It’s a comforting hot cocktail that can soothe a sore throat, reduce congestion, and aid sleep.
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!
We all have home remedies that our family has passed down for generations and I know that one that always helps get me through 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 sick, along with my heating pad.
And while there likely isn’t a wrong way to make a toddy, there is definitely a GOOD way that makes it taste great!
What Is It?
It is an alcoholic warm 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! A classic hot toddy 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.
Do not drink a hot toddy while also taking cold medicine.
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 bottled stuff. The lemon juice added to hot water or tea can help 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 a 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!
- Prepare your tea and let it steep for the directed amount of time on the packaging.
- Add the honey.
- Pour in the lemon juice.
- Top off with the whiskey or other alcohol of choice and stir with a cinnamon stick. Serve with a lemon slice.
Ok my husband usually makes me the hot toddy but he was outside working and I have a bad sore throat so I Pinterested of course. I just messaged my husband and said “Sorry if I hurt your feelings Babe, but I’ve trumped your Hot Toddy. Lol This was awesome and I’m not a fan of Hot Toddy’s. Tea is a brilliant idea and the lemon makes it even better.
– Candace
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. And a gift basket with all the ingredients to make them is a great get well gift for a friend.
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
Ingredients
- 6 ounces hot water
- 1 tea bag1 flavor of choice
- 1 tablespoon honey2
- 1½ 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 bottled stuff. The lemon juice added to hot water or tea can help to reduce congestion.
- 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.
- I personally like the taste of my hot toddies, but some people like them to really pack a 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.
Eden says
This hot toddy was amazing!! used it all winter and it was great for cold days.
Jen says
This is the perfect way to end a long, stressful day. So relaxing to sip on when it’s cold outside.
Beth says
I’m definitely saving this post! This drink looks amazing and so delicious! So excited to give this a try!
Martina says
Amazing!!! Made with Twinings Lady Grey and Woodford Reserve Bourbon! This is our new favorite wind down drink!
Ellen Hogan says
I haven’t tried it yet but am excited to share it with my family
Lorena says
I made this tonight and it’s amazing! Tea? Who would have thought? I used an apple cinnamon tea bag, and it was perfection!
Candace says
Ok my husband usually makes me the hot toddy but he was outside working and I have a bad sore throat so I Pinterested of course. I just messaged my husband and said “Sorry if I hurt your feelings Babe, but I’ve trumped your Hot Toddy. Lol This was awesome and I’m not a fan of Hot Toddy’s. Tea is a brilliant idea and the lemon makes it even better.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yay, so glad you loved it! Now you’ll have to make him one 😉
Lori Bell says
I swear Hot Toddies can make even the grumpiest of sickies better! First one I ever had knocked my socks off (thanks to my ex-MIL’s Lithuanian whisky) and I’ve since used it whenever the throat acts up.
Cold season is upon us folks… try it when needed, you’ll love it!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I totally agree! And I bet the Lithuanian whisky meant business! 😉
Darlene says
Looks like a good recipe to me. My family, with Smoky Mountain location and Scotch-Irish heritage, has always used a Hot Toddy to treat upper respiratory discomforts and lady cramps. It does work, even if not scientifically proven. Thanks for the reminder not to mix with cold drugs also.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Oooh, I never thought to try it for that “time of the month”, such a great suggestion!
Kimberly Jackson says
Just made this with Maker’s, tea, honey, and lemon and it’s delicious! Hoping this turns the raspy voice I have right now into the lady like voice it was before yesterday.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I love Maker’s, such a great choice! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I hope you feel better and this helps!
Denise says
Delicious and perfect for a sore throat!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hope it helps!
Lorry Young says
Tea! That is a brilliant idea. I will try it. Always used just water. Thank you for the great recipe!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I mean, why not, right? It seems like a natural addition! Enjoy!
Albert Bevia says
Homemade remedies are always the best, and this one sounds fantastic! my wife has a sore throat right now so I´m going to give this a try right now!!! thank you for the recipe 🙂
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope she feels better soon, Albert, you’re so sweet for making it for her!
Lynn says
Thanks for the recipe and history! My grandfather always drank hot toddies before going to bed when he had a cold. I have a humdinger of a cold but I couldn’t remember how he made his. Your recipe sounds like the ticket to a good nights’ rest??. Looking forward to trying it tonight! Thanks again!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope it makes you feel better, Lynn! Enjoy!