If you enjoyed the Soothing Honey-Lemon and Ginger Tea Mixture, sit back and relax.. It’s time to step it up with our Honey-Lemon and Ginger Hot Toddy. This drink is beautiful, comforting, and will make you feel all warm and bubbly inside. It comes together in seconds and is the ultimate crowd pleasing adult beverage on a cold and blistery night.
Don’t worry, this will be a short post. Actually, skip to the recipe, make your Honey-Lemon and Ginger Hot Toddy and then continue reading.
Toddy Time!
With your warm & relaxing adult beverage in hand, let’s move forward. Hillary, the author and creator of the Soothing Honey-Lemon and Ginger Tea Mixture, told me what she was planning, and it gave me pause. We’re not the soothing tea type! But again and again she persisted that this tea has been a staple during the wintertime in her household. I still wasn’t totally onboard, until realizing she didn’t really make a tea mixture, she made the perfect base for a Hot Toddy!
Initially she thought I’m crazy and disagreed vehemently, until I dared her to try it! The next thing you know, I’m getting a call from Hillary that evening saying, “Oh man, this Honey-Lemon and Ginger Hot Toddy is delicious! I’m bringing a batch to a friend’s party!” I think you could all agree, that I was the winner… actually I think it’s safer to say that with this drink in hand, we are ALL winners.
So, here we are with a soothing Honey-Lemon and Ginger Tea Mixture that in my opinion is absolutely splendid, for Hot Toddies. Keeping with tradition, the one item I included is cinnamon. Any classic hot toddy recipe contains cinnamon, but (according to Hillary) it’s also great without it.
In the midst of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and a potentially “colder than average” winter, this is a wonderfully easy and beautiful fireside cocktail. If you followed my initial suggestion, you’re well aware of this. Take a sip and continue.
Honey-Lemon and Ginger Hot Toddy: The Cold Cure
Pun intended, but according to Master Class hot toddies were originally thought to help cure colds. My very basic research suggests that toddies originated in British ruled India. Taddy meaning fermented palm, eventually became official referring to a beverage of water, liquor, and spices. Considering the tiny little industry of the Indian Spice Trade, this seems like the most practical origin. Another story lays claim to an Irish doctor (Robert Bentley Todd) who’d prescribe toddies of brandy, water, cinnamon, and sugar, while others accredit Scotland sometime in the 1800s. Whichever the origin, these deliciously warm beverages have become a winter tradition and staple across the UK.
Hot toddies generally utilize either Whiskey or Rum as their main liquor. Breaking from the tradition (or maybe not according to Dr. Robert Bentley Todd), I opted for brandy. Brandy being a liquor distilled from grapes is a gluten free, full bodies, dark, yet subtle liquor. Realistically, whiskey being distilled from wheat and my lack of spiced rum made the decision for me!
Don’t Be a Toddy Totaller
I am sure there are traditionalists, but realistically, there is an abundance of ways to alter this drink. In accordance with the stories of origin, you can use Whiskey, Brandy, or Rum! Some people like it boozy, while others like it sweet, there are so many variations to fit nearly everyone’s taste! Spices are the most exciting aspect. The traditional hot toddy is just cinnamon, but variations contain ginger (like ours), Star Anise, Cloves, Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cardamom. Go ahead and have some RESPONSIBLE fun! And as the Brazilians say, Saude! (To Health!)
Tips and Tricks
- With a twist: Try using orange slices instead of lemon. And as described above, there is a plethora of spice combinations to fit your taste!
- Make the base in advance and leave it in the fridge. Your base will stay good refrigerated for weeks on end. You can whip out a warm seasonal cocktail for guests as quickly as your microwave will heat up a half mug of water.
- Do not combine with sleepy tea! You’ll be out like a light, trust me on this one!
- Brandy is the alcohol of choice because it’s SUPER DELICIOUS and gluten free. You can also use dark rum, bourbon, or whisky. Bourbon and whiskey are technically gluten free due to the distilling process, but if you have someone with celiacs, it may be safer to stay away from them.
- Share our blog with friends! They’ll thank you with amazing food and you won’t have to cook everything yourself!
Honey-Lemon and Ginger Hot Toddy
Course: Drinks1
servingsWith our Soothing Lemon Ginger Tea Mixture, making a hot toddy is a breeze!
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1.5 Ounces 1.5 Brandy
1 1 Cinnamon Stick
1 Cup 1 Hot Water
Directions
- Place hot water in a mug, add 2 Tbsp of Soothing honey-lemon and ginger tea mixture from the top of the mix and 2 Tbsp from the bottom (sweeter portion). Add Brandy and stir well. Top off with cinnamon stick. Enjoy!
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