Bourbon whiskey, lemon, honey, and hot tea!!! Yum! When I was a kid and had a cold or a bad cough the Bourbon Hot Toddy was my mom’s go-to medicine. Today, sick or not, when it’s cold outside, a Hot Toddy is my go-to cocktail. A simple cocktail, I usually make it with a non-caffeinated herbal tea rather than black tea. For me, the caffeine in black tea is more intense than a cup of coffee. So if I’m sipping a Hot Toddy or two at home, I don’t want a high-voltage caffeinated cocktail. It would have me bouncing off the walls like I’m at a rave. Lol, yes, I remember raves.
I have a couple of Hot Toddy variations that I like to make. Along with the Bourbon, a splash of peppermint schnapps, Limoncello, or orange liquor is something that I enjoy. Peppermint is particularly fun around the holidays when candy canes are easy to find in every store.
I usually use Bourbon or Rye whiskey in my Hot Toddy’s, I’m a big fan of Bourbon and honey. However, Scotch Whisky and Irish whiskey are very nice as well.
Honey, Bourbon, lemon, and hot tea. Is there anything more comforting than a Bourbon hot toddy?
Bourbon Hot Toddy Ingredients
- Whiskey (or Whisky): 2-Ounces of a smooth smoky Bourbon or an even smoother Scotch are my preferred choice. I love the smell of the steamy Bourbon Hot Toddy.
- Tea: My mom used English Breakfast tea, but to me that gives me more of a caffeine buzz than a cup of coffee, so I like herbal non-caffeinated tea. My favorite types of tea for a Hot Toddy are ginger, chamomile, and peppermint.
- Honey: A little sweetener to mellow the Bourbon whiskey and lemon. It helps soothe the throat if you’re actually drinking the Hot Toddy for medicinal reasons.
- Lemon: Many cocktails have a similar formula: alcohol, sweet, and sour.
Hot Toddy Variations
- Peppermint Schnapps Hot Toddy: It doesn’t take much to give the Hot Toddy a nice little peppermint kick. About ½-ounce is perfect.
- Grand Marnier and Bourbon Hot Toddy: Orange liqueur is a great compliment to the Bourbon. Particularly good with an orange-flavored herbal tea.
- Absinthe Hot Toddy: The anise flavor is a nice addition. We use the absinthe and whiskey in the Sazerac cocktail, and a ½-ounce in a Hot Toddy is an interesting and delicious flavor.
- Limoncello Hot Toddy: Sweet and lemony, Limoncello highlights the citrus and gives it a pleasant little kick of flavor.
- Galliano Hot Toddy: Galliano and Bourbon are one of my favorite combinations and the herbal qualities of Galliano are magnified smelling the steaming hot, hot toddy.
Here is my recipe for the Hot Toddy
Bourbon Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 2 Ounces Bourbon
- 1 Teaspoon Honey A heaping teaspoon
- 1 Bag Herbal Tea
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice Fresh
Instructions
- In a heatproof mug, combine honey, lemon, and Bourbon
- Add hot water and a teabag. Let steep. Serve hot
- Garnish with a wedge of lemon
