The Hot Toddy Goes Beyond the Cocktail
As the San Francisco drinks consultant we feature in this video, Jacques Bezuidenhout, says, the hot toddy is perfect “if you’re in the mood for just kind of that winter warmer or you’re feeling a little bit under the weather.” (He has one right before bed.) The drink is typically made with lemon juice, honey, spices and booze, making this both a (possible!) cold remedy and (definite!) cocktail in one.
And we aren’t the only ones excited about Hot Toddys. Check out other people’s take on the classic concoction, from sorbets to, yes, chicken:
Photo: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Jeni’s ice cream has come out with a Hot Toddy sorbet that employs real Maker’s Mark. (We tried it, and can attest that it couldn’t be more disconcerting to tuck into a super-cold version of an always-served-hot cocktail…in the best of ways.)
Photo: Gourmet
How dreamy would a hot toddy be in pudding cake form? This recipe from Gourmet uses Scotch, lemon and honey, with custardy results.
Photo: Mark Roper
Valli Little, food editor of Delicious Magazine, has a recipe for Hot Toddy Chicken using nutmeg, lemon, bacon and butter, served with a parsnip mash.
"I’ll meet you in the lobby
I’m so cold, yeah
I need that hot toddy
Hot toddy (hot toddy)”
Even Usher loves hot toddies as much as we do! These are the inspiring lyrics from his 2010 single with Jay-Z titled, Hot Toddy. See below to make your own hot toddy to get through these winter months:
Hot Toddy
From Liquor.com
Makes 1
Boiling Water
4 to 6 Cloves
1 Lemon twist
2 tsp Demerara sugar or brown sugar
.25 oz Lemon juice
2 oz Bourbon, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey or Scotch
Fill a mug with boiling water and let stand for a minute or two to warm. Meanwhile, stick the cloves into the lemon twist and set aside. Empty the mug and fill about halfway with fresh boiling water. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the prepared lemon twist and stir. Add the lemon juice and whiskey, and stir again.
More cocktails to get you through the winter months:
A wine lover’s version of a hot toddy
Country star Alan Jackson’s recipe for egg nog
If you love tequila, try these 5 warming drinks
What do you like to put in your hot toddy?
