A hot toddy is a warm, comforting drink often consumed before retiring for the night, especially in cold weather. But hey! It is not just a ‘drink.’ It is also a way to relieve symptoms of a cold and flu. Often passed down through generations, this classic drink is nourishing, balancing taste with wellness.
In today’s blog, we will be telling the story behind Hot Toddy, how to prepare it at home, and some other timeless honey-based alternatives to hot toddy for cold and flu. Let’s start.
What’s a Hot Toddy?
Hot Toddy is popular by different names. It is called Hot Whiskey in Ireland and Southern Cough Syrup in the Southern United States.
At the core, a Hot Toddy is a mix of a spirit, usually whiskey, hot water, and honey. You may add other ingredients to enhance its taste. For instance, maple syrup is an ingredient added to a hot toddy in Canada. Some other ingredients that you can add are:
Cloves
Cinnamon
Lemon slice
Although it is commonly enjoyed as a cocktail, the ingredients allow for a non-alcoholic version that is just as good!
What Makes Hot Toddy Medicinally Popular?
The power of this drink lies in its ingredients. More specifically, honey.
Raw honey overflows with antioxidants, enzymes, and antibacterial properties. The list of its benefits is too long. It is a natural immune booster, aids digestion, and soothes a sore throat. It pairs beautifully with the Vitamin C content of lemon, and strengthens your body’s defences.
Unlike regular honey, raw honey contains pollen. So if you’re allergic to pollen, it will help to opt for regular honey. Additionally, raw honey cannot be fed to infants under 1 year.
Other Benefits
The warm nature of the drink, along with lemon and spices like cinnamon, opens up congestion in the chest, while the steam opens up nasal congestion.
Lemon and hot water in the drink stimulate digestion, while honey helps to maintain gut health.
It helps to unwind after a long, tiring day. The gentle warmth relaxes your body and prepares it for restful sleep.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gather the following ingredients to make a cup of Hot Toddy!
1 cup hot water
1-2 tablespoons of raw honey
1-2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 shot (about 45 ml) of whiskey (you can skip it for a non-alcoholic drink)
1 cinnamon stick (you can also use ground cinnamon)
1-2 cloves
1 lemon slice
How to Prepare It
Follow the step-by-step process below to make yourself a cup of warm, comforting Hot Toddy with raw honey.
Start by boiling the water to your desired temperature.
Pour it into a cup and let it cool down a little.
Then add raw honey and stir it until it dissolves.
Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to add more flavor.
If you enjoy a cocktail version, now is the time to add the shot of whiskey. If you want a non-alcoholic drink, simply skip this step.
Drop the cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground cinnamon and clove into the drink. Let it steep for 2-3 minutes.
Add a slice of lemon for garnishing.
Sip on it slowly but quickly before it gets cold! Enjoy the warm, soothing, and healing blend.
Hot Toddy Variations To Explore
If you want to go further and switch the flavours a little, try these variations.
Ginger Hot Toddy
Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice, a ginger hot toddy requires a little ginger syrup and some Angostura bitters to make it fiery! If you don’t have ginger syrup, you can crush ginger, let it steep in the water, and strain it.
Marmalade Toddy
Blend the classic hot toddy with sweet, bitter orange marmalade. It will boost the presence of Vitamin C along with lemon in the drink. Furthermore, it will add a touch of zesty flavour to the warm drink.
Coffee Hot Toddy
Coffee and a hot toddy together? Well, yes! Add brewed coffee or coffee liqueur to whiskey, honey, and lemon. Skip the water!
Cold Honey Toddy Recipe
If you’re someone who prefers cold beverages and wants to try something new, the cold honey toddy drink may be a good option.
What you’ll need:
Black Tea Recipe
Boil 1 cup of water and let it simmer.
Remove the heat and add four black tea bags to the cup. If you have loose tea leaves, add one tablespoon.
Let it steep for 10 minutes.
Take out the bags and return to low heat.
Add 1 cup of sugar and mix it until dissolved.
The syrup will turn clear.
Pour it into a sealable container and let it cool down.
Cold Toddy Recipe
Mix all the ingredients – whiskey, black tea syrup, and lemon juice – in a shaker filled with ice.
Shake it vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
Strain it into a chilled glass filled with ice.
Add the lemon slice on top to garnish.
Sip and enjoy!
Conclusion
There are so many tasty variations when it comes to a Hot Toddy drink. If you don’t enjoy the classic version, there’s always a more citrusy or a bitter coffee variation to enjoy! But remember one thing – don’t skip on the raw honey. It makes all the difference and amplifies the taste as well as the nutrient profile of the drink.
If you are preparing a cup of Hot Toddy, especially for fighting a cold and cough, raw honey will play a big role in its impact.GeoHoney brings pure, organic raw honey, wild and monofloral, to your doorstep.
We harvest it from our tech-led farms across the globe sustainably and bring it to you. VisitGeoHoney today to order your jar of tasty, healthy raw honey!
