Best Hot Toddy Recipe

A hot toddy is the perfect cold weather cocktail, and you don’t have to be under the weather to enjoy this lovely and simple whiskey drink! Our recipe uses the perfect ratio of water, honey, lemon juice, and your favorite type of whiskey to create the ultimate warm and cozy drink.

The Best Hot Toddy Recipe To Keep You Warm This Season

I’ve been making hot toddies for over 15 years, and this classic hot toddy recipe holds a special place in my heart because my husband’s grandma LOVED this drink. This adorably petite woman would order it pretty much every time we’d go to a restaurant (including one time in July, which got the bartender pretty confused, but was very entertaining). So in her honor, we’re sharing our go-to homemade version!

As someone who’s developed dozens of cocktail recipes for this website and has been making drinks at home for over 15 years, I’ve learned exactly how to make a hot toddy that’s perfectly balanced. Through countless batches, I’ve tested different types of whiskey to find which work best (detailed info on this below), and have adjusted the honey and lemon levels to get that ideal sweet-tart balance for this cozy drink.

What makes this the best hot toddy recipe is the careful attention to proportions. The hot toddy ingredients are simple, just four core components, but getting the ratios right makes all the difference. Too much honey and it’s cloying, too much lemon and it’s too tart, not enough whiskey and you’re just drinking warm lemon water (hey, no shade, but then you’re not having a hot toddy). I’ve dialed in the exact measurements so the honey sweetens and soothes, the lemon adds brightness, and the whiskey shines through without overpowering the drink.

Whether you’re looking for a recipe for hot toddy to warm up on chilly fall or winter nights, want something cozy to sip around a bonfire, or feel a sore throat coming on and need a comforting drink, this whiskey hot toddy delivers every time.

What is a Hot Toddy?

A hot toddy is a warm drink made of liquor (usually a type of whiskey), water, honey, and lemon. It’s primarily served in the winter as a warming beverage.

It’s sometimes touted as a home remedy to help relieve cold and flu symptoms (like a sore throat, coughs, or a runny nose). There is no research proving it’s effective, and mixing medications and alcohol is generally not advisable. However, this drink is definitely comforting!

Classic Hot Toddy Ingredients

• Hot water. Using hot water warms our drink into the warm and cozy cocktail we’re wanting.
• Whiskey. Whiskey is the traditional alcohol used in this cocktail. See the ‘Best Whiskey For Hot Toddy’ section below which outlines the types and varieties that work well in this recipe.
• Honey. Adds sweetness to our drink, adds a soothing effect on the throat, and balances out the zing from the lemon and the strong flavor of the whiskey.
• Fresh Lemon. We need lemon juice for our drink, and fresh-squeezed is best! You can also use a slice of lemon as a garnish in your drink if desired.
• Optional garnish. Hot toddies are often served with a cinnamon stick to add a nice aroma and spice. And as noted above, you can also serve your drink with a lemon slice too. If you love a bold, licorice taste, you could also garnish with a star anise!

See the recipe card below for ingredient measurements and full directions.

Best Whiskey For Hot Toddy

You can use bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, or scotch in your hot toddy cocktail. I recommend choosing a variety you either like on it’s own or mixed into other cocktails because the whiskey’s flavor profile is definitely apparent in a hot toddy!

• Bourbon is a smooth option that compliments the honey and lemon really well. It often has hints of vanilla, caramel, or oak.
• Rye whiskey often has a bold flavor profile that can be a bit spicier and more robust.
• Irish whiskey will be the smoothest and lightest option, often being described as a little sweet.
• Scotch can add a smoky or floral note, depending on the variety used. Most scotch whiskeys are described as smooth and a bit malty.

We personally love using a local Wisconsin small batch bourbon from J. Henry & Sons when making these at home. We’ve also enjoyed this hot toddy recipe with Makers Mark, Jameson, Basil Hayden, Woodford Reserve, and Bulleit Rye.

How to Make a Hot Toddy

Heat your water (we usually do this in the microwave, but you can use the stovetop, a tea kettle, or hot pot too).

Add the honey and lemon juice to your mug.

Pour the hot water over the honey and lemon.

Stir to help dissolve the honey and combine the ingredients.

Add in your whiskey of choice and stir to combine.

Taste and adjust to your liking. Want it sweeter? Add more honey. Want it brighter? Add more lemon. Want it stronger? Add more whiskey.

Optionally garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or slice of lemon. Sip and enjoy!

Best Hot Toddy Recipe Variations

• Make it non-alcoholic. You can simply skip the whiskey to make this a non-alcoholic beverage. If desired, you can also replace the water with tea or cider as noted below.
• Use tea instead of water. Replace the water with prepared tea if desired. Black tea (I like decaf if I’m enjoying this at night), ginger tea, or chamomile tea are all great options!
• Try apple cider instead of water. You can either use fresh-pressed if you’re enjoying during the fall or use one of those apple cider packets. This will definitely be a sweeter option… if you’re choosing to do this, I would recommend starting with a smaller about of honey and adding more if needed.
• Replace the whiskey with a dark rum or brandy. If preferred, try a different liquor. Both of these are nice alternatives to whiskey, bringing a different flavor profile to your hot toddy.