4 Hot Toddy Recipes That Will Warm Your Nights and Boost Your Health
For hundreds of years, people have been mixing up their own version of a warm, alcohol-infused drink called the hot toddy. There’s some debate as to where exactly the hot toddy got its name, but it dates back to the 1700s when doctors prescribed it to patients trying to get relief from the common cold.
Today, the hot toddy is a popular drink in bars and with at-home mixologists. It’s also a favorite with health advocates because there are so many great ways to make a hot toddy with ingredients that can boost your health.
It’s often recommended with a shot of whiskey in it, though there are variations with other liquors, like brandy or rum. You’ll also see ingredients like honey, lemon, and many different herbs and spices recommended.
Even though there are mixed reports about whether it actually helps a common cold or not, most agree it can help relieve symptoms like a sore throat. Regardless, it’s just a nice, soothing drink on a cold night. Think of it as a good alternative to a nightly glass of wine or cup of tea. Here are four recipes you might want to try.
Strengthen your immune system with a ginger toddy.
Ginger is already known for multiple benefits, including boosting your immune system, improving digestion, reducing stress, and even helping in weight loss.
So this is a great ingredient to add to any hot toddy or cocktail. Anya, the founder of Sunrize Tea, shares one of her favorite hot toddy recipes on the company blog. It includes a tea base, along with whiskey, honey, lemon, and cinnamon.
You can adjust this recipe as you see fit, but starting with a good tea as your base is definitely the way to go. Have this on a chilly night, or drink it to get some relief from a relentless cold.
Get some vitamin C with this winter citrus hot toddy.
Many hot toddy recipes like to lean in on the citrus flavor, and this one is no different. It recommends the juice of both an orange and a lemon to start. Then the secret ingredients include bourbon and hot toddy simple syrup.
This recipe, which you can get in full on Instagram, comes from Michelle in Texas. You can mix and match the citrus in this recipe as you see fit. Since all citruses have such good reputations for boosting skin, mood, and more, you really can’t go wrong.
Get your antioxidants in with this pumpkin hot toddy.
If you love the flavor of pumpkin, you’re in for a treat. We know pumpkin has plenty of health benefits, one of the biggest being the beta-carotene you get from it — yes, the same nutrient you get from carrots. In addition, it’s been shown to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and even degeneration.
So now that you have an excuse to eat pumpkin regularly, give this pumpkin hot toddy featuring pumpkin butter, whisky, and pumpkin pie spice a try. You can get the full recipe here.
You can adjust this recipe as you’d like, perhaps starting with a tea base or adding in your favorite spice. This would also make a good after-dinner drink to serve at a potluck or gathering. Pair it with a slice of pie and you’ll have a great dessert combo.
Soak up benefits without alcohol by sipping this “mock toddy.”
You don’t need alcohol in your toddy to reap the benefits of all the good that’s in it. The Instagrammer behind the Best Mocktails account created a non-alcoholic version of a hot toddy, and it looks perfect — get the recipe here.
You’ll start with a tea, she used a cranberry green tea for this recipe. A great thing about hot toddies is that pretty much any tea makes a good base, so feel free to experiment with your favorites. This one also has tangerine juice, apple cider, and cinnamon.
With all the great benefits of green tea and the perks of citrus, this one definitely deserves a spot in your rotation for a nightcap.
