Hot Toddy
Whisky, honey, lemon and hot water, in that order and in the right proportions. A drink first and a remedy second, whatever anyone tells you.
Photograph credit: A 'Hot Scotty' hot whisky toddy in an Irish coffee glass with two slices of lemon studded with cloves floating on top. Highlander Bar, Highlander Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by David Jackmanson · CC BY 2.0 · Flickr
Method
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
-
Warm a heatproof glass or a mug by filling it with hot water and tipping it out. A cold glass takes the heat straight out of the drink.
-
Put the honey in the warm glass with 2 tablespoons of the hot water and stir until it has completely dissolved.
-
Add the whisky and the lemon juice and stir once.
-
Top up with the remaining hot water — let the kettle stand for a minute first, so it is hot rather than boiling.
-
Stud the lemon slice with the cloves, drop it in with the cinnamon stick, and leave to steep 2 minutes before drinking.
Chef’s Tips
- Honey first, always. Added last it sinks to the bottom in a lump.
- Not boiling water. It drives off everything that makes the whisky worth using.
- A cheap blend is the right choice here. A peated single malt fights the honey.
Pairing Suggestions
- A fire
- Shortbread
- A cold that is not going anywhere
Storage & Reheating
Made to order, in the glass.
Common questions
How long does Hot Toddy take to make?
About 10 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 1.
What are the key tips for making Hot Toddy?
Honey first, always. Added last it sinks to the bottom in a lump. Not boiling water. It drives off everything that makes the whisky worth using. A cheap blend is the right choice here. A peated single malt fights the honey.
What should I serve with Hot Toddy?
A fire; Shortbread; A cold that is not going anywhere.
Is Hot Toddy suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Hot Toddy?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 0 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
Cooked this? Leave a review
Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
Related Recipes
More Scottish cooking and drinks ideas from Weekly Delight.
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties
Haggis baked in its skin, served with mashed swede and mashed potato and a whisky cream sauce poured over the lot.
Cranachan
Toasted oats, whisky, honey, cream and raspberries layered in a glass. Assembled in ten minutes and traditionally…
Cullen Skink
Smoked haddock, potato and onion in a thick milk soup from the Moray coast. Four ingredients, and all of them have…
Millionaire's Shortbread
Three layers that each need doing properly: a shortbread base baked until sandy, a caramel boiled to the right…