What Is a Hot Toddy?
Historically, hot toddies seemed to first appear in Scotland in the 1700s, where publicans added a splash of boiling water to their drams of whiskey to ward off the brutal northern winters. They added sweeteners and spices to the drink to make it more palatable to the ladies.
Alternate explanations are an Irish physician named Todd who prescribed a hot brandy-based drink, and a hot medicinal drink from India, called a tari, made with fermented tree sap.
With a combination of lemon and honey or spices, it’s easy to see why toddies are perceived as a cure for sniffles and scratchy throats. Whiskey in some toddies also has a warming effect, as well as encouraging drowsiness, so a hot toddy may be just the thing when you’re feeling a little under the weather.
A word of caution— mixing alcohol with actual medicine is not a great idea. If you’re taking prescription drugs or stronger over-the-counter medications, check with your health professional before adding any alcohol content in your toddy.
Hot Toddy Mocktail
If you find yourself under the weather or in need of a cozy warming drink, this nonalcoholic toddy is just right.
Ingredients
2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
4 ounces herbal tea, freshly brewed
¾ ounce honey simple syrup
¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug.
- In the warm mug, add nonalcoholic bourbon, herbal tea, honey simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Stir carefully to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Hot Not Toddy
To make this toddy, simply choose your favorite hot tea and watch it transform it into a delightful winter mocktail by adding the sweetener, citrus, and spices of the traditional toddy. Not only is it a great option for nondrinkers but it’s one that you can share with the kids. It is also a soothing relief for cold symptoms—kind of like chicken soup.
7 ounces hot tea
Try naturally decaffeinated Rooibos tea whose red in color and sweet, woodsy, earthy flavor goes well in a toddy.
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or a cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Lemon wedge, for garnish
To use ground spice instead of whole spice, the most straightforward conversion is to use about three-quarters as much ground as you would whole. If a recipe calls for a teaspoon of whole coriander, use ¾ teaspoon of ground coriander. Larger, more irregular whole spices may not fill your measuring spoon, so when substituting ground spice, it is a good idea to use less than you might think, you can always add more to adjust the taste.
Chai-Spiced Apple Cider Toddy
This delightful chai-spiced apple cider recipe combines the wintertime comfort of mulled apple cider and the bold flavor of masala chai. It combines the warming whole spices of traditional Indian drink with the sweet, comforting flavor of apple cider for a wonderfully wintery taste. It’s the ideal blend of apple cider and chai in one irresistible beverage.
The warming spices in this chai-cider make it ideal for the holidays. It pairs well with many traditional holiday foods. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to drink it!
Ingredients
4 whole allspice
4 whole cloves
3 cardamom pods
2 teaspoons cinnamon chips
1/2 teaspoon dried ginger root
1/2 vanilla bean pod, seeds removed
1/2 small apple, such as Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or McIntosh
4 cups apple cider, preferably fresh-pressed
2 tablespoons Assam loose-leaf black tea
1/2 cup almond milk, if desired, you can omit this or use other dairy alternatives.
- Gather the ingredients.
- If using whole spices, lightly crush the allspice, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon, and ginger with a mortar and pestle.
- In a small saucepan, add the apple cider, crushed spices, vanilla bean, and sliced apples.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove the pan from heat.
- Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes.
- Return the spiced cider to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Add the tea and almond milk. Cover and let steep for 4 minutes.
- Stir well, then strain into a teapot.
- Serve and enjoy!
Feel free to experiment. Use your favorite herbal tea. Add milk, a milk substitute or flavored creamer to the tea-based toddies. Find a mixture that makes you feel cozy and relaxed and share it with friends and family.