Spiced Hot Toddies

The perfect cozy beverage for chilly evenings, especially around the holidays, these spiced hot toddies are made with lemon, honey and whiskey. 

Theories abound regarding the invention of the hot toddy, a comforting drink made of lemon, honey or sugar, whisky and hot water. The most likely one is that they originated in India and were brought to Great Britain during the time that the British controlled that country. 

According to dictionary.com notes, in the 1610s, the Hindi word “taddy” meant “beverage made from fermented palm sap.” By 1786, taddy was officially written down and defined as “beverage made of alcoholic liquor with hot water, sugar, and spices.”

The hot toddy made its way north and west and gained appeal not only as a warming drink but also as a cure or at least reliever of the common cold, especially in cold climates. 

Historically a hot toddy is made with whisky but nowadays you can find recipes with rum, brandy and other liquors. You’ll notice that I spelled whiskey with an e in the title of this post. That’s because whisky without one comes from Scotland and whiskey with one is made in the US, which is my preference.

Spiced Hot Toddies

Yep, bourbon whiskey, specifically Bulleit, is what I used in these drinks but feel free to choose your favorite tipple for your own hot toddy! The amounts below make one drink but they are easily doubled for two.

Ingredients

¾ cup or 180ml water

1 ½ oz or 45ml whiskey

2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste

2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste

1 lemon slice

1 cinnamon stick

Method

In a kettle or a small pot, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug.

Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir with the cinnamon stick until the honey has dissolved into the hot water. 

Taste and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing, if needed.

Add the lemon slice and leave the cinnamon stick in the mug. 

Enjoy!

It’s Sunday FunDay and today we are sharing recipes to spread Christmas cheer! Many thanks to our host, Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm. Check out the links below.

• Amy's Cooking Adventures: Gingerbread Mule 
• Mayuri's Jikoni: Homemade Pear Cider 
• Sneha's Recip: Homemade Rice Wine 
• Food Lust People Love: Spiced Hot Toddies 
• Karen's Kitchen Stories: The Sugar Plum Cocktail 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Winter White Cosmopolitan

 

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