Honey and lemon, the quintessential combination to ward off the winter chill and common cold. A staple in our kitchen during the colder months, we love to source local honey and we're looking forward to growing lemons in our yard soon. But until then, the local farmers market fills our supply of this delicious zesty fruit.
One of our favourite ways to make the most of honey and lemon is making a Hot Toddy drink. Admittedly, I have only recently discovered what a hot toddy is, and it turns out, it's one of my favourite winter warming drinks. I only have one at a time, because I'm a cheap date, but its enough to warm me up whilst enjoying a little downtime at the end of long winters day.
Autumn and winter are the best times to enjoy this delicious nightcap.
Try my mulled wine other recipe on this site, its warming and delicious and a great drink to enjoy with friends around a fire in winter.
Ingredients
- whisky - any whisky will do, and its a great way to use a half empty bottle. The quantity of liquor can change to your taste
- lemons - lemons are a must, they zest adds so much punch to this beverage
- honey - a little sweetness is welcome, not to mention the antimicrobial benefits of honey, after all, we are trying to ward off some pesky winter germs, right?
- cinnamon sticks - the cinnamon adds to the flavour and warming note, a comforting and delicious taste
- water - hot water makes this a warm nightcap, be sure to check your glassware can handle the heat
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Divide whisky, lemons, honey and cinnamon sticks into heatproof cups.
- Step 2: Top with boiling water, stir and allow to steep before serving.
Hint: leave a useful hint here, like let the grill run for 4-5 minutes to burn off any remnants, then clean it. I like to use this bristle-free barbecue brush (affiliate link) for cleaning the grill.
Substitutions and Variations
- Whisky - if you don't like whisky, bourbon, scotch, apple cider, vodka or rakija are all great alternatives
- Honey - whilst honey is the best option for sweetness in a hot toddy, you can add a little simple syrup or sugar instead
- Spicy - add some ginger slices for a little heat are lovely in this nightcap
Storage
A hot toddy is best served and consumed immediately.
Top Tip
If you have an abundance of lemons, squeeze the juice out and pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze for up to 2 months. The lemon juice cubes can be added to cocktails, cool drinks or a hot toddy!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favourite dishes to serve with a hot toddy:
Let me know if you have tried this recipe