Here’s how to create a traditional **hot toddy** using whiskey, rum, or brandy, combined with honey and lemon. This comforting drink is ready in just 5 minutes!
There’s little that can brighten one’s mood on a dreary day like a piping hot drink. Here’s one that has stood the test of time: the classic Hot Toddy! This age-old beverage was once recommended as a remedy for the common cold, and after the first sip, you’ll understand why.
A wave of warm bourbon, rum, or brandy flawlessly blends with the lemon and honey. Simply feeling the gentle steam on your face while inhaling the aroma makes this drink worth preparing. Here’s how to craft a hot toddy!
## 5 Star Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I haven’t made it in a few years, so had to revisit the base recipe, and yours is fantastic! Honey, a squeeze of lemon, and the whole spices mentioned, perfect for this chilly day by the fire. Thanks for the recipe!” -J
## What Is a Hot Toddy?
The **hot toddy** is a cocktail made from liquor, hot water, and honey, frequently enhanced with lemon, spices, or tea. Its name traces back to British colonial India, resembling a local term for a drink created from fermented palm sap. By the late 1700s, English dictionaries noted “toddy” as a concoction made with spirits, hot water, and sugar.
The drink gained popularity in England and Scotland with Scotch whisky, later making its way to America, where rum and brandy were the spirits of choice for the hot toddy. By the mid-1800s, Americans were recommending the hot toddy as a remedy for the common cold!
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Many hot toddy recipes call for tea as the base, but the simplest and most delightful version of this drink employs hot water. Here are the components you’ll require for this hot toddy recipe:
– **Whiskey**, **rum, or brandy**: Each spirit contributes its unique character to this drink. I prefer bourbon or brandy.
– **Honey**: This adds a delicate sweetness.
– **Lemon**: The fresh citrus introduces brightness to each sip.
– **Hot water**: You’ll only need hot water to allow the flavors to develop.
## How To Make a Hot Toddy
Nowadays, you don’t need to have a cold to enjoy a hot toddy. But once you take that initial sip, you’ll realize why it was believed to possess healing properties. The way that hot water enhances the flavors of the [whiskey](https://www.acouplecooks.com/bourbon-hot-toddy/), [brandy](https://www.acouplecooks.com/hot-toddy-brandy/) or [rum](https://www.acouplecooks.com/hot-toddy-rum/) makes it incredibly enjoyable to sip. Here’s how to prepare it:
– **Mix:** In the serving glass, combine 3 tablespoons whiskey, rum, or brandy with 1 tablespoon honey.
– **Add hot water:** Pour in ½ cup hot water (substitute [hot tea](https://www.acouplecooks.com/how-to-make-tea/) if preferred).
– **Add lemon:** Squeeze in a lemon wedge.
– **Garnish:** Incorporate whole spices such as cloves, cinnamon stick, and star anise. These are optional but add a lovely aromatic element.
## Best Whiskey, Rum, or Brandy for Hot Toddies
The hot toddy is infinitely adaptable, depending on the type of liquor you choose. You can select any type of whiskey, rum, or brandy to subtly alter the flavor.
– **Whiskey:** Choose bourbon for sweet oak and vanilla notes, Scotch for a peaty sharpness, rye for a spicy finish, or Irish whiskey for a smooth sweetness. I personally favor bourbon here and typically opt for something mid-range like Bulleit Bourbon or Elijah Craig Small Batch. See my [guide to types of whiskey](https://www.acouplecooks.com/types-of-whiskey/) or visit [Bourbon Hot Toddy](https://www.acouplecooks.com/bourbon-hot-toddy/).
– **Rum:** Use white rum, aged rum, or dark rum instead of whiskey for a sweeter taste. Aged and dark rum impart even more flavor complexity. Go to [Rum Hot Toddy](https://www.acouplecooks.com/hot-toddy-rum/).
– **Brandy:** Brandy infuses notes of dried fruit and citrus, along with oaky undertones in the finish. Go to [Brandy Hot Toddy](https://www.acouplecooks.com/hot-toddy-brandy/).
## Hot Toddy With Tea or Ginger
Crafting a hot toddy with tea