The Perfect Recipe For a Hot Toddy

You don’t have to be under the weather to enjoy this lovely and simple whiskey cocktail! Our hot toddy 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 have a special place in my heart for this simple cocktail 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!

It’s such a soothing, cozy, warming drink…and simple to make at home too. The perfect drink choice for chilly fall or winter nights, for sipping around a bonfire, or if you feel a sore throat coming on.

Be sure to check out all of our cocktail recipes for more fun drink ideas too!

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!

Hot Toddy Recipe 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!

Hot Toddy 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.