Classic Cocktails & Drinks With A Funky Twist

Hot Toddy

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Posted: 12/29/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Warm up with a classic Hot Toddy! Made with boiling water, bourbon, fresh lemon, some spice, and little sugar, this cozy cocktail is known to be hydrating, soothing, and easy to sip.

two mugs of hot toddy cocktail with a lemon slice with cloves and a cinnamon stick

Enjoy a hot toddy to treat a cough or just as a cozy drink by the fireplace on a chilly evening. This light cocktail has been around for ages and the simplicity of making one at home is part of its beauty. It conveniently comes together with simple ingredients and is customizable to suit your taste. Grab your favorite mug and warm right up!

What is a Hot Toddy

A Hot Toddy is a warm cocktail made with hot water, a spirit, a sweetener, and lemon. This classic cocktail can have different variations, including the addition of spices and other liquors, but we love the traditional whiskey drink recipe as written below.

You may have heard of someone drinking a hot toddy for a cold or cough. This is because it has been known to be soothing for a sore throat due to the hot liquid of the drink, the lemon, and the decongestant properties of whiskey. While we are not medical professionals to give advice on its effectiveness, it will definitely warm you up.

man's hand pouring jigger of bourbon into a mug with a lemon slice and cloves to make a hot toddy cocktail. Extra lemon slices with cloves and cinnamon sticks sitting beside, mug of hot toddy ingredients sitting in background

Hot Toddy Ingredients

  • Lemon slice. No substitute for the real deal here.
  • Cloves. This cozy spice also makes an appearance in Crockpot Spiced Apple Cider. Placing them in the lemon slice prevents them from floating in your drink.
  • Sugar. See other options to sweeten your cocktail below.
  • Bourbon. See below for the recommendation for the best whiskey for a hot toddy.
  • Boiling water
  • Cinnamon stick

Best Whiskey for Hot Toddy

The warm notes of bourbon shine through so nicely with the other ingredients. Bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels and contains notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel flavor. You will want to use a good quality whiskey or bourbon that you prefer the flavor of.

Measuring cup of hot water pouring into a mug of hot toddy ingredients. Lemon slices with cloves and cinnamon sticks sitting beside

How to Make a Hot Toddy

Here is a brief overview of how to make hot toddies with bourbon. For the full recipe including the measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Push the cloves into the rind of the lemon slice and place it in the bottom of a mug. This will prevent the cloves from floating in the drink.
  2. Top the lemon slice with sugar.
  3. Pour the bourbon and the hot water over the lemon and sugar. Stir to combine.
  4. Add a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

Variations

  • Sweeten it up. Add honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness instead of sugar. Honey is also soothing for a cough and sore throat.
  • Change up the spirit. Bourbon is the most common liquor featured, but rum, Irish whiskey, or brandy could also be used. Use your favorite spirit.
  • Add Tea. Some hot toddy recipes use tea instead of hot water. Prepare the tea and add to the mug instead of hot water.
two mugs of hot toddy cocktail with a lemon slice with cloves and a cinnamon stick

Other Whiskey Cocktails

If you try this Hot Toddy recipe or any of my other cocktails, leave a comment telling me what you think!

two mugs of hot toddy cocktail with a lemon slice with cloves and a cinnamon stick
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Hot Toddy

(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Warm up with a classic Hot Toddy! This cozy cocktail is made with bourbon, fresh lemon, clove, cinnamon, and little sugar..

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon slice
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 6 ounces boiling water
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

  • Push the cloves into the rind of the lemon slice and place it in the bottom of a mug. Top with the sugar.
  • Pour the bourbon and the hot water over the lemon and sugar. Stir to combine.
  • Add the cinnamon stick and enjoy.
Author: Lisa Longley
two mugs of hot toddy cocktail with a lemon slice with cloves and a cinnamon stick

Did You Make This

Hot Toddy

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

Lisa Longley has been creating great recipes for more than a decade. While it is too hard for her to pick her favorite cocktail, she is known to love our dirty martini.

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