We have had days of sweltering heat as I'm writing this, and it is making me dream of fall. Fall is my favourite season. Sweater weather. Knee high boots with leggings weather. Nights under a heavy wool blanket weather. I think you see where I am going with this.
Hot Toddies make me think of evenings beside the wood stove, curled up with a book when the weather is wicked outside. Those nights make my heart happy. And I probably indulge in this warm whiskey drink a little more than I should admit to when the snow starts to fly. But what's not to like!? Good whiskey? Check. Sweet honey? Check. Spicy cinnamon? Check. Squeeze of lemon to freshen things up and make you able to say you had fruit today? Check. It's the perfect warm bevvy. Appropriate for any time of year.
I was shown how to make Hot Toddies by my mom, and we tend to eyeball things more than measure. So feel free modify to suit your taste, you can't screw it up! Nothing wrong with a really heavy pour every now and then. Everything in moderation, right?
Remember to always purchase honey from a local producer when you are able, and I have found that the lemon juice can be replaced with a squeeze of fresh orange juice in a pinch!
For a virgin option, a couple ounces of very strong orange pekoe tea works well in place of whiskey.... I gottcha mommies to be out there! Wait, can mommies to be have honey? Hmmmm.... I gottcha non-drinkers out there!
Soothing Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 oz of your favourite whiskey
-1 tsp lemon juice
-1 tsp honey
-1 cinnamon stick
-Boiling water
Steps:
-Add the whiskey, lemon juice, honey and cinnamon stick to your favourite mug. Mix well using the cinnamon stick until the honey is well combined.
-Add boiling water to fill the mug and stir well.
-And, you've just made a simple and soothing hot toddy. You're welcome!
And as my mother would say - a good hot Toddy and bath will knock that cold right out of you! 😉
You can also substitute agave or maple syrup for the honey. Love Mom :)