How to Make a Hot Toddy: The Ultimate Cold Weather Cure
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When the temperature drops, the rain starts to fall, or you feel that first tickle in your throat, there is only one answer: The Hot Toddy. This isn't just a cocktail; it's a warm hug in a mug. It’s the original comfort drink, a folk remedy that has survived for centuries for one simple reason: it just works.
At Pour Man's Proof, we believe some of the best things in life are the simplest. The Hot Toddy is the peak of that philosophy. It's not a strict recipe—it's a ratio that you adjust to your own taste.
A Fuzzy, Comforting History
The Hot Toddy is ancient. Its true origin is lost to time, but most stories trace it to 18th-century Scotland or Ireland. It was a way to make the (often harsh) local whisky more palatable in the cold, wet winters. The name "toddy" may even come from a Hindi word for a fermented palm sap drink, brought back by the British.
Whatever its true story, it was quickly adopted as a "cure-all" for the common cold, and that's the cozy, medicinal reputation it holds today.
When to Make a Hot Toddy
The Moment You Feel a Cold: The combination of hot water, steam, honey, lemon, and (of course) whiskey is a time-honored remedy. We're not doctors, but it sure makes you feel better.
After a Long, Cold Day: Apres-ski, after raking leaves, or just getting home from work in the dark.
The "One Last Drink" by the Fire: It’s the perfect, soothing nightcap before bed.
How to Make a Hot Toddy
The "secret" to a great Hot Toddy is to taste and adjust. This is your drink. You're not trying to impress a judge.
The "Proof" Pro-Tip: Never, ever add your whiskey to boiling water. You'll boil off the alcohol and scald the delicate flavors. Let your hot water cool for a minute first.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye, or Irish)
1 tbsp Honey (or to taste)
½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice (or to taste)
4-5 oz Hot Water (not boiling)
Garnish (Optional): Cinnamon stick, star anise, or a few cloves.
Instructions:
Warm your mug first by filling it with hot water and dumping it out. This keeps your drink hotter, longer.
Add the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice to the empty, warmed mug.
Top with the hot (not boiling) water.
Stir until the honey is completely dissolved.
Add your garnish, if using.
Taste it. Need more honey? Add it. More lemon? Squeeze it. Make it yours.
Pour Man's Proof (Whiskey Picks): You want something with enough flavor to stand up to the hot water.
Spicy: A high-rye bourbon like Bulleit or a classic Rye like Rittenhouse.
Smooth: A classic Irish whiskey like Jameson or Bushmills.
Bold: A higher-proof bourbon like Wild Turkey 101.
