Warm up with a classic hot toddy. This simple cocktail requires just hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon. Compared with mulled wine, wassail, or warm cider, a hot toddy is lighter and more refreshing rather than cloyingly sweet.
Hot toddies make excellent slow sippers or nightcaps. They’re cozy for playing cards with family or for offering as part of a hot toddy bar at a holiday gathering.
How to Make the Best Hot Toddy
The key is balance: adjust the lemon and honey to taste. Small changes—an extra teaspoon of lemon or honey—can noticeably shift the drink’s profile. Use the recipe amounts below as a starting point, then tweak until it suits you.
If you order a hot toddy at a bar, it will most likely be made with whiskey. Any good whiskey works well; rye and Irish whiskies are popular choices. If you prefer, substitute dark rum or brandy. See the notes for more variation ideas.
Watch How to Make Hot Toddies
Hot Toddies for Coughs & Colds
Many people find a hot toddy soothing when they have a cold. The warm liquid, honey, and lemon can provide comfort and hydration. However, avoid consuming alcohol if you’re on prescription or over-the-counter medications that interact with it—when in doubt, omit the whiskey and enjoy a soothing honey-lemon infusion instead.
More Cocktails to Love
If you enjoy warm whiskey drinks, try an Irish Coffee. For other holiday-friendly whiskey cocktails, consider variations like a Maple New York Sour or a Cinnamon-Maple Whiskey Sour. Classic favorites to explore include Moscow Mules, French 75s, red sangria, mimosas, and fresh margaritas.
Please share how this hot toddy turns out for you in the comments—your feedback is welcome.
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Classic Hot Toddy
- Author: Kathryne Taylor
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 135 reviews
Warm up with this classic hot toddy cocktail recipe. It’s easy to make with hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon. Recipe yields one cocktail.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 1 ½ ounces whiskey
- 2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste
- 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
- 1 lemon round
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a simmer in a tea kettle or small saucepan. Pour the hot water into a mug.
- Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Stir until the honey dissolves. Taste and adjust: add 1 teaspoon more honey for sweetness or 1 teaspoon more lemon for extra brightness.
- Garnish with a lemon round and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Make it vegan: Substitute maple syrup for honey.
Variations: Swap whiskey for brandy or dark/spiced rum. For added depth, steep a black or green tea bag in the hot water for 2–3 minutes, or add a splash of apple cider. Garnish options include apple slices, peeled fresh ginger, whole cloves, or star anise.
Nutrition
The nutritional information shown is an estimate from an online calculator and is not a substitute for professional advice.
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: Scottish