Hot Toddy Winter

You’ve heard of Hot Girl Summer? It’s time for Hot Toddy Winter.

A comforting boozy classic that will warm you from the inside out. It’s just what the (severely overworked) doctor ordered for a cold and flu season that’s both more intense (is it just us or are the colds of 2023 are lasting forever?).

 

 

The Toddy’s origins are in the mid-18th century, and the drink traditionally comprises a spirit, sugar and hot water, perhaps with a lemon peel or assorted spices. In Ireland, they used Irish whiskey. In Scotland, they used scotch. In the United States, well, they used whatever was on hand—often brandy or rum. Today, whiskey usually wins out. – Liquor.com

This is booze as medicine so there’s no need to wait for cocktail hour. Whip one of these up and get back under the covers, any time of day or night.

 

 

There is a non-alcoholic version of this drink, but it’s essentially just tea, so I guess brew some tea if you want? But perhaps consider topping it up with warmed apple cider for added complexity. You can also make a Hot Negroni (!) or a Hot Old Fashioned, but we like this take on the toddy by San Francisco bartender Jacques Bezuidenhout:

Ingredients

• Boiling water, to fill a mug
• 4 cloves
• 1 lemon peel or wheel
• 2 teaspoons demerara sugar or brown sugar
• 1/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 ounces whiskey (bourbon, rye, Irish or scotch)

Steps

1. Fill a mug with boiling water and let stand for a minute or two to warm.

2. Meanwhile, stick the cloves into the lemon peel or wheel and set aside.

3. Empty the mug and fill about halfway with fresh boiling water.

4. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.

5. Add the prepared lemon peel or wheel and stir.

6. Add the lemon juice and whiskey, and stir again.