Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (2024)

Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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A Hot Toddy is great on any cold night, but I especially love this tasty co*cktail recipe to soothe a cold. This warm hot toddy recipe is my go-to recipe when I’m under the weather with a nasty cough. It’s a homemade cure for a common cold that’s easy to make and much tastier than cough syrup!

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Table of Contents

Hot Toddy Recipe

This classic winter drink recipe is the perfect warm sip to soothe a sore throat, cough, or cold. Forget the usual hot lemon water–this drink adds whiskey, honey, and ginger into the mix for a co*cktail you can enjoy on sick days. I love sitting with this co*cktail under a cozy blanket on a chilly night.

  • Easy. Just heat up your liquids, mix in the other ingredients, and you’ll have a warm drink ready to sip. 5 ingredients, 5 minutes, and a microwave are all you need!
  • Soothing. Whiskey is a great decongestant, honey has antimicrobial properties, lemon juice boosts immunity, and ginger reduces inflammation.
  • Tasty. This adult bevvy is a little sweet, a little zesty, and a whole lot delicious.

Variations on a Hot Toddy

If I don’t have any whiskey on hand, or want to make this tasty cold remedy for someone under 21, I still love to make a version of this drink without alcohol. I simply leave it out, and combine the rest of the ingredients as directed.

A nice glass of hot lemon honey water will still do wonders when you’re feeling under the weather. You can also try using hot tea in place of the whiskey, which many readers have recommended!

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How to Store

This recipe is for one hot toddy, but if you don’t finish the whole glass, you can store leftovers in the fridge. Just be sure to heat it up and give it a good stir before drinking the rest.

Serving Suggestions

If you need some other recipes to help you get through your sick day, I’ve got you covered. I’m known to make a pot of chicken noodle soup, turkey noodle soup, chicken broth, or a delicious bowl of ramen. If you prefer a different drink, try this detox lemonade for more health benefits.

What is a hot toddy?

A classic hot toddy is a warm drink made with whiskey, along with other ingredients like honey, water, and lemon. It’s commonly served as a cold remedy to help relieve symptoms, like coughs, congestion, sore or scratchy throats, and inflammation.

Is a hot toddy a good cold remedy?

It’s the best (non-medical) cold remedy I know! The warmth of the drink plus the health benefits of the ingredients (as listed above) can really soothe your sore throat & cough symptoms. There is some research that says hot drinks help the common cold or flu by increasing air flow.

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More Hot Toddy Recipes to Try

  • Apple Cider Hot Toddy
  • Caramel Apple Hot Toddy co*cktail

Pro tip: We do not claim that this cold remedy hot toddy is in any way actual medicine for a cold. It can be comforting, but always see a doctor if you are sick in order to get medical advice. I find that it’s a great supplement to traditional meds when I’m feeling under the weather.

5-Star Review

“The tastiest, easiest and most effective hot toddy yet!” – Tracy

Recipe

Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cold

4.60 from 463 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

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Your winter cold calls for a warm and comforting Hot Toddy! Made with honey, lemon, ginger, and bourbon or whiskey if you please, this drink is sure to make you feel better.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon Get some pretty good quality. You’re sick! You deserve the best!
  • tablespoons honey
  • 4 ounces water
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 cube crystallized ginger optional
  • 1 slice fresh lemon for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix together whiskey, water, and lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl.

    2 ounces whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces water, 2 teaspoons lemon juice

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  • Microwave for 1 minute, or until it's piping hot.

  • Stir in the honey, and drop in the ginger if using.

    1½ tablespoons honey, 1 cube crystallized ginger

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  • Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy–you and your cold deserve it!

    1 slice fresh lemon

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 242kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 27g (9%) Sodium: 7mg Sugar: 26g (29%) Vitamin C: 3.9mg (5%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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How to Make A Hot Toddy Step by Step

Make the Drink: Mix together 2 ounces of whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces of water, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, or until it’s piping hot.

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Garnish the Drink: Stir in 1½ tablespoons of honey, and drop in 1 cube of crystallized ginger if using. Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy– you and your cold deserve it!

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Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO)? ›

Irish Whiskey: Known for its smoothness and light sweetness, brands like Jameson and Bushmills blend well without overpowering the other ingredients. Bourbon: With its rich, vanilla, and caramel notes, bourbon like Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve adds depth and complements the honey and lemon in the toddy.

What whiskey is best for hot toddy? ›

Irish Whiskey: Known for its smoothness and light sweetness, brands like Jameson and Bushmills blend well without overpowering the other ingredients. Bourbon: With its rich, vanilla, and caramel notes, bourbon like Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve adds depth and complements the honey and lemon in the toddy.

What is a hot toddy made of? ›

Hot toddy is a warming drink combining water, whiskey, honey and lemon juice. It is often drunken as a nightcap and traditionally taken as a remedy to help ease the symptoms of colds and flu.

Does a hot toddy actually help a cold? ›

Can Hot Toddies Really Cure Colds? While Hot Toddies have been used for generations as a natural way to combat cold symptoms, there is no definite research to prove that they can replace that bottle of cold medicine once and for all. They do, however, certainly provide comfort.

What tea is best for hot toddy? ›

You can use whatever tea you want for a hot toddy, and any full-bodied, flavorful tea that can stand up well to the strong flavors of spirits and lemon is a good option.

Does whiskey really help a sore throat? ›

Whisky's key ingredients, namely alcohol and phenols, boast natural antiseptic properties that may help soothe your ailing throat. While we're not suggesting gargling with a tumbler full of whisky, indulging in a moderate sip or two could provide temporary relief.

Is Crown Royal a whiskey? ›

Crown Royal was released in the United States in the 1960s and has since become the top selling Canadian whisky. To this day, every drop of Crown Royal is crafted to meet the same uncompromising standards, making it, to many discerning palates, the finest whisky of all.

Can you drink hot toddy everyday? ›

Best consumed in small doses and infrequently, Hot Toddies can only be served as as medicine to those 21 and over, should not replace a medical professional's advice, and are best followed by a tall glass of water, some herbal tea, and plenty of rest and TLC.

Can Hot Toddies get you drunk? ›

The hot toddy is not one of those drinks that you down simply to get drunk. It is more of an experience and a way to relax, so its alcohol content may be irrelevant for the most part. However, for the curious drinker, you can expect it to weigh in around 6 percent ABV (12 proof).

Does hot toddy break up mucus? ›

Is a Hot Toddy Good for a Cough? Yes. The alcohol can help clear mucus by dilating blood vessels in the upper body. The steam from the hot water might also help to clear congestion.

Does the alcohol boil off in hot toddy? ›

We like to add the liquor to our hot toddies last. The reason is if we added it first, the boiling water would start to evaporate away some of the alcohol. We have no idea how much, but we paid for full-strength whiskey and we're not prepared to lose any of it to the atmosphere!

Why does a hot toddy make you sleep? ›

Spirits combined with hot water (or herbal tea) honey and lemon is a beverage that helps clear up your cold symptoms and makes you feel toasty and cozy. According to folklore, by the time you finish the drink you will be breathing better, and the alcohol will start to make you drowsy so you can rest easy.

How many hot toddies should you drink? ›

Furthermore, there's evidence that suggests drinking two hot toddies per day can help relieve cold symptoms such as sore throats and congestion when paired with restful sleep.

What food pairs well with a hot toddy? ›

Buttery, flaky pastries like our Ham, Swiss & Apricot Pinwheels are a nice, light complement to the hot toddy. Our savory ham and swiss provide some much-needed contrast while apricot preserves enhance the sweet notes.

What's another name for hot toddy? ›

A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, and occasionally called southern cough syrup within the Southern United States, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey (or in some recipes, sugar), lemon, herbs (such as tea) and spices, and served hot.

Is Jim Beam good for a hot toddy? ›

Jim Beam® Black Hot Toddy

Extra-aged bourbon adds full-bodied richness, with flavors of vanilla, toasted oak, and baking spice. Perfect for cozy holiday celebrations or quiet nights by the fire.

What's the difference between a hot toddy and a hot whiskey? ›

A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, and occasionally called southern cough syrup within the Southern United States, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey (or in some recipes, sugar), lemon, herbs (such as tea) and spices, and served hot.

Is Crown Royal a whiskey or bourbon? ›

Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name 'Bourbon Mash'.

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