Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (2024)

Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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A Hot Toddy is great on any cold night, but I especially love this tasty co*cktail recipe to soothe a cold. This warm hot toddy recipe is my go-to recipe when I’m under the weather with a nasty cough. It’s a homemade cure for a common cold that’s easy to make and much tastier than cough syrup!

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Table of Contents

Hot Toddy Recipe

This classic winter drink recipe is the perfect warm sip to soothe a sore throat, cough, or cold. Forget the usual hot lemon water–this drink adds whiskey, honey, and ginger into the mix for a co*cktail you can enjoy on sick days. I love sitting with this co*cktail under a cozy blanket on a chilly night.

  • Easy. Just heat up your liquids, mix in the other ingredients, and you’ll have a warm drink ready to sip. 5 ingredients, 5 minutes, and a microwave are all you need!
  • Soothing. Whiskey is a great decongestant, honey has antimicrobial properties, lemon juice boosts immunity, and ginger reduces inflammation.
  • Tasty. This adult bevvy is a little sweet, a little zesty, and a whole lot delicious.

Variations on a Hot Toddy

If I don’t have any whiskey on hand, or want to make this tasty cold remedy for someone under 21, I still love to make a version of this drink without alcohol. I simply leave it out, and combine the rest of the ingredients as directed.

A nice glass of hot lemon honey water will still do wonders when you’re feeling under the weather. You can also try using hot tea in place of the whiskey, which many readers have recommended!

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How to Store

This recipe is for one hot toddy, but if you don’t finish the whole glass, you can store leftovers in the fridge. Just be sure to heat it up and give it a good stir before drinking the rest.

Serving Suggestions

If you need some other recipes to help you get through your sick day, I’ve got you covered. I’m known to make a pot of chicken noodle soup, turkey noodle soup, chicken broth, or a delicious bowl of ramen. If you prefer a different drink, try this detox lemonade for more health benefits.

What is a hot toddy?

A classic hot toddy is a warm drink made with whiskey, along with other ingredients like honey, water, and lemon. It’s commonly served as a cold remedy to help relieve symptoms, like coughs, congestion, sore or scratchy throats, and inflammation.

Is a hot toddy a good cold remedy?

It’s the best (non-medical) cold remedy I know! The warmth of the drink plus the health benefits of the ingredients (as listed above) can really soothe your sore throat & cough symptoms. There is some research that says hot drinks help the common cold or flu by increasing air flow.

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More Hot Toddy Recipes to Try

  • Apple Cider Hot Toddy
  • Caramel Apple Hot Toddy co*cktail

Pro tip: We do not claim that this cold remedy hot toddy is in any way actual medicine for a cold. It can be comforting, but always see a doctor if you are sick in order to get medical advice. I find that it’s a great supplement to traditional meds when I’m feeling under the weather.

5-Star Review

“The tastiest, easiest and most effective hot toddy yet!” – Tracy

Recipe

Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cold

4.60 from 462 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

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Your winter cold calls for a warm and comforting Hot Toddy! Made with honey, lemon, ginger, and bourbon or whiskey if you please, this drink is sure to make you feel better.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon Get some pretty good quality. You’re sick! You deserve the best!
  • tablespoons honey
  • 4 ounces water
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 cube crystallized ginger optional
  • 1 slice fresh lemon for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix together whiskey, water, and lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl.

    2 ounces whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces water, 2 teaspoons lemon juice

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  • Microwave for 1 minute, or until it's piping hot.

  • Stir in the honey, and drop in the ginger if using.

    1½ tablespoons honey, 1 cube crystallized ginger

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  • Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy–you and your cold deserve it!

    1 slice fresh lemon

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 242kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 27g (9%) Sodium: 7mg Sugar: 26g (29%) Vitamin C: 3.9mg (5%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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How to Make A Hot Toddy Step by Step

Make the Drink: Mix together 2 ounces of whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces of water, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, or until it’s piping hot.

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Garnish the Drink: Stir in 1½ tablespoons of honey, and drop in 1 cube of crystallized ginger if using. Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy– you and your cold deserve it!

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Hot Toddy Recipe for Cold (How to Make a Hot Toddy VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

Does a hot toddy actually help a cold? ›

Can Hot Toddies Really Cure Colds? While Hot Toddies have been used for generations as a natural way to combat cold symptoms, there is no definite research to prove that they can replace that bottle of cold medicine once and for all. They do, however, certainly provide comfort.

What is the best whiskey for hot toddy? ›

Irish Whiskey: Known for its smoothness and light sweetness, brands like Jameson and Bushmills blend well without overpowering the other ingredients. Bourbon: With its rich, vanilla, and caramel notes, bourbon like Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve adds depth and complements the honey and lemon in the toddy.

Does honey and whiskey help a cough? ›

The bottom line. The ingredients in a hot toddy have been shown to have cough-suppressing properties. Alcohol isn't needed in the recipe to experience these benefits. Consuming warm water, lemon, and honey is the key to symptom relief.

What tea is best for a hot toddy? ›

You can use whatever tea you want for a hot toddy, and any full-bodied, flavorful tea that can stand up well to the strong flavors of spirits and lemon is a good option.

What alcohol is good for a cold and cough? ›

Brandy, with its warming properties, is often considered a traditional remedy for cold symptoms. When consumed in moderation, brandy can help relax the muscles, providing relief from the aches and pains associated with a cold. Yes, you should drink a lot of water.

Do doctors recommend a hot toddy? ›

Adding spices, such as ginger, to a hot toddy may also have benefits. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that alcohol can help with the symptoms. Doctors often recommend that people avoid drinking alcohol when they have a cold or flu.

Is whiskey or bourbon better for hot toddy? ›

But for many Americans, the Hot Toddy is primarily a bourbon drink, which makes sense given its generally sweeter character. Yet as with all things whiskey-related, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to which one is best in any given context.

How many hot toddies can you drink in a day? ›

While the alcohol in one drink is great for falling asleep and feeling rested, one too many and you may wake up the next morning with worse symptoms than you had before. So stick to one, and you should be good to go.

What does a spoonful of honey do for a cough? ›

Adding honey to warm water or tea, or just a spoonful of honey itself can help with coughs. "It has been shown to be more effective than over-the-counter cough medications," she says. Honey helps by soothing the throat and coating cough receptors. Here are her recommendations for children over age 1.

Can honey and lemon cure a cough? ›

Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime.

Does whiskey clear sinuses? ›

Whiskey can temporarily widen your blood vessels. In small amounts, this can help clear mucus congestion in your sinuses and chest, which lets your body better deal with sickness and infection. This effect may also relieve other symptoms of a cold or flu, like coughing or wheezing.

What are the contents in toddy? ›

It is obtained from Palm trees like date palm coconut palm. It is an alcoholic drink and mostly made in Asia , South Africa countries. The second one which we talk about Hot toddy of Scotland also known as hot whiskey or is made up of liquor ,water, honey, herbs spices and is served...

What do they mix in toddy? ›

A hot toddy is a mixed drink made with whiskey, water, spices, honey, and lemon. The cozy co*cktail originated in India (it comes from the Hindi word “taddy,” which is a drink made with fermented palm sap), but is most often associated with the United Kingdom.

What's the difference between a hot toddy and a hot whiskey? ›

A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, and occasionally called southern cough syrup within the Southern United States, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey (or in some recipes, sugar), lemon, herbs (such as tea) and spices, and served hot.

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