Hot Toddy Cocktail Recipe

warm

whiskey, honey, lemon, water, lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, clove

History

A hot toddy is the Scots hot whiskey punch. The word is in print by the late 1700s for whiskey, hot water, sugar, and spice, served warm instead of as a cold punch. British and American home bars kept that shape and started using lemon and honey once both were already in the kitchen. This spec is 2 oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, ½ oz fresh lemon juice, and about 4 oz water that is hot but not boiling. Boiling water flattens the aroma. Bourbon, Irish whiskey, or a blend all count: the pantry treats a generic whiskey requirement as any whiskey bottle you already own. Irish Coffee is the other hot whiskey drink here — coffee, demerara sugar, and a cream float, not water and lemon.

Ingredients

whiskey 2 oz

Buy
honey 1 tbsp

Buy
lemon 0.5 oz juice

Buy
water 4 oz hot
lemon wheel for garnish
cinnamon stick for garnish
clove for garnish

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Details on Privacy.

Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.

How to make

Warm a mug with hot water, then dump it so the toddy stays hot.
Add 2 oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, and ½ oz fresh lemon juice — bourbon, Irish, or a blend if that bottle is already open.
Pour in 4 oz hot water that has come off the boil, and stir until the honey dissolves.
Add a lemon wheel, a cinnamon stick, or a clove if you want a garnish.

Glassware

Mug

A heat-safe mug with a handle so you can hold whiskey, honey, and lemon while it is still hot. An Irish coffee glass does the same job if that is what is in the cupboard.

Buy on Amazon

Hot Toddy FAQ

What ingredients are in a Hot Toddy?

A Hot Toddy is made with whiskey, honey, lemon, water, lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, and clove. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make a Hot Toddy?

Warm a mug with hot water, then dump it so the toddy stays hot. Add 2 oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, and ½ oz fresh lemon juice — bourbon, Irish, or a blend if that bottle is already open. Pour in 4 oz hot water that has come off the boil, and stir until the honey dissolves. Add a lemon wheel, a cinnamon stick, or a clove if you want a garnish.

What glass do you serve a Hot Toddy in?

Serve a Hot Toddy in a Mug. A heat-safe mug with a handle so you can hold whiskey, honey, and lemon while it is still hot. An Irish coffee glass does the same job if that is what is in the cupboard.