Wednesday, January 8, 2020

The Hot Toddy Cocktail

The Hot Toddy Cocktail

Beat winter’s chill with this classic libation

January means serious cold in our part of the world. Time to warm up!

And what’s more warming than a Hot Toddy? It combines the firewater of your choice (we prefer rum, but any brown liquor works) with a bit of sugar and boiling water. The result is a smooth sipper that will chase the chill away.

Oh, and if you’re unlucky enough to have a cold? The Hot Toddy will make you feel loads better.

Just what the doctor ordered.


The Hot Toddy Cocktail

Recipe: The Hot Toddy Cocktail

The Hot Toddy is an old drink, probably dating back to the 1700s. It most likely originated in Scotland and featured smoky Scotch whisky.

Some still like to make it that way. Although rum and bourbon are now the spirits most commonly used for Hot Toddies in the US, cocktail historian extraordinaire David Wondrich recommends using a not-too-expensive single malt Scotch.

Our recipe (which we’ve adapted from Wondrich) takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves one.

Ingredients
  • ~2 ounces boiling water, plus extra for warming the mug
  • ~1 teaspoon sugar (brown or demerara are wonderful; but regular white sugar and simple syrup work too)
  • ~2 ounces dark rum, bourbon, or brandy (or other spirit of choice; see Notes)
  • lemon wheel or peel for garnish (optional)
  • sprinkling of nutmeg for garnish (optional; traditional, but we rarely bother)
Procedure
  1. Bring the water to a boil. Use some of the hot water to rinse out (and thus warm) a heat-proof mug. 
  2. Add about one ounce of the hot water to the mug, along with the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Then add the booze and another ounce or so of hot water. Stir to combine.
  3. Garnish, if you wish, with a lemon wheel or peel and/or a sprinkling of nutmeg. Enjoy.
The Hot Toddy Cocktail

Notes
  • Quantities for this cocktail are flexible. You’ll probably want roughly equal amounts of water and booze (although you may prefer more water). And you can adjust the amount of sweetener to taste.
  • We generally use brown sugar in this drink, but white sugar or demerara work well, too. As does simple syrup. You could also use honey or maple syrup. The sweetener you choose will subtly change the character of the drink, so go with your mood.
  • Any brown liquor works well in this drink. We like to use dark rum, preferably one from Jamaica (Jamaican rum tends to have a bit of funk to it, and funk is good in a Hot Toddy). But bourbon is quite popular for this drink, as is brandy. Irish whiskey is nice, too. Or Scotch, as discussed above.
  • You can even make this drink with gin, or so we’ve been told. We haven’t tried it, though we’ve seen numerous comments in 19th century British novels about mixing gin with hot water and lemon (to make a form of toddy, we presume).
  • BTW, we’re guessing the gin they used wasn’t the dry gin that’s common today. Instead, it was probably Holland (Genever) gin, which has a rather malty flavor, like Scotch. For more info on Holland gin, see our post on the Turf Cocktail
  • The Hot Toddy is a pretty simple cocktail – just liquor, water, and sugar. Some drinkers like to add citrus flavor via lemon garnish. Or a spicy note with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Many Hot Toddy recipes incorporate cinnamon and cloves, and sometimes other spices (such as allspice or star anise). Nothing wrong with those, but we prefer a simpler preparation. 
  • Oh, and speaking of spice, we suppose you could use spiced rum in this drink. In fact, if you have a bottle of the stuff around, this drink might be a good use for it. We’ve never actually tasted commercial spiced rum, however (we don’t really see the point of it; if we want to add extra flavors to rum, we know how to do it). So we’re talking theory here, not experience. 
  • There are variations on the Hot Toddy that use hot tea instead of water. Or you could use another liquid (for example, see our Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Rum). We’ve also seen “cold” versions of the toddy. 
  • The word “toddy” may have derived from tadi, which refers to a beverage made in India from fermented palm sap. But drinks history is murky, so who knows?
The Hot Toddy Cocktail

No Cold Feet Here

“Mmm,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Comfort drinking at its finest.”

“Hot stuff,” I said.

“Speaking of which,” said Mrs K R. “We should put winter on ice and escape to someplace warmer.”

“You mean chill out in the heat?” I said. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Indeed it is,” said Mrs K R. “In fact, we’re planning to leave in less than two weeks. But first, we should have one more of these.”

Twist my warm.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Turf Cocktail
Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Rum
Leap Year Cocktail
Rob Roy Cocktail
Corpse Reviver Cocktail
Fanciulli Cocktail
Frostbite Cocktail
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

60 comments:

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

In Germany this drink is called Grog. Prost!

Pam said...

Simple, warming & delicious.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, like the German name! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, this is incredibly warming -- and very soothing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

R's Rue said...

Yummy. 😀

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, it is. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

At the moment I’m in sunny Florida, but will soon be back in Michigan where this is a necessary evil!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, we're headed to warmer climes in a couple of weeks, too. In the meantime, we're be drinking these to cope with the cold. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I am headed to the kitchen to make myself one right now. Seriously. I came back from México with a cold and, as you say, this is just what the doctor ordered! I’m using scotch. Or maybe dark rum. Or maybe one now and one later.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Wherever you go I hope it requires some splishy splashy fancy pineapple drink and not a hot toddy. Though I could use any of these right now!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, all too easy to get sick when traveling, alas. A couple of these will set you right -- or at least you'll feel better. I'd try first the Scotch, then the rum. Just to see which you prefer, you know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, much more pineapple than toddy. But we'll have some toddies to brace ourselves for the plane trip. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn@merrynsmenu said...

Very nice I've heard of this cocktail but you've described the mix perfectly, of course so I'm tempted to create one, on Friday night.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, we love to tempt our readers. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

John - my apologies but I have to disagree. This hot tonic does stem from the 18th century Great Britain where neither then or now such drinks as 'cocktails' are part of the lexicon. Basically rum has been the alcohol in use tho' whisky toddy is drunk there and in the 'Colonies' as here . . . David: try rum and it will work . . sorry . . .

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, historically you're right: This isn't a "cocktail." Cocktails were morning drinks, probably invented in the US, and were quite small drinks. But today language has evolved so we tend to call any mixed drink a "cocktail." (And we deliberately used cocktail in our title because there's a coffee drink -- without booze -- called the "toddy".) Wondering about your thought that "cocktail" aren't part of the British lexicon, though. Maybe the most famous cocktail book of all time -- _The Savoy Cocktail Book_ was published in the 1930s by the head bartender at London's Savoy Hotel. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding you? At any rate, we both agree that rum is the best liquor to use in this drink! Thanks for the comment.

Eha said...

*big smile* Not arguing just stating facts as I know them. Mr Google actually puts the word into late 19th century Louisiana ? I AM talking of the present day. Life actually has allowed me to take part of Australian and British 'society' events for most of my life . . . shall we say all around me would stop and stare methinks if I asked for a 'cocktail' and ask me from what part of the US I came - fact seen on the sidelines dozens of times . . .

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, cocktail history is fascinating, isn't it? As is word history. So much to discuss. :-)

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

It's in the teens here and I sure could use one of these!

Dahn @savorthebest said...

Great to see you posting after the holidays. Hope you had a fantastic break. Happy New Year! And cheers to a warm cocktail ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, this will warm you up! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, we had a fun time off! Glad to be back. Thanks for the comment. :-)

Cocoa and Lavender said...

And that is exactly what I did... scotch then rum... and I used honey with the rum. And I really DID feel better. Thanks M

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, glad these made you feel better. :-)

Vicki Bensinger said...

Yum this does sound tasty and comforting. My kind of drink.

Angie's Recipes said...

It would be really nice holding and enjoying one at this time of the year...gorgeous shots, John!

Ron said...

John, this is a classic libation indeed and like you said, it's a great warming drink and a popular one here when the snow flies. Jameson's hot toddy is most often served at bars around these parts. But long before the Jameson's version became popular we had (and still have) Rödvinstoddy (red wine toddy).
FYI, cocktailing (same word in Swedish) is hugely popular over this way with the younger crowd.

Natalia said...

Looks incredibly good!

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

Lately I just can't get warm so I think I'll have to try this. If I pretend I have a cold, is it OK to have a Hot Toddy for breakfast? :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, our kind of drink, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, we love warming drinks like this when it's cold outside! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, cocktails have become really popular in most places in the last 15 years or so, or so it seems. And I do like Irish whiskey in this. And I've had red-wine versions of this -- which is what mulled wine is -- kinda, sorta ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, better yet, have one for breakfast to prevent a cold! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

I'm 'shivering' here in the cold San Diego winter and feel like having one of these drinks (I'm afraid to use the word 'cocktail' after reading some of the remarks above)! BTW, I recently made for the second time your Baked Jalapeno dip recipe- it's a real winner!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, LOL! It's all good fun. :-) I haven't had that dip in ages -- now you have ME craving it! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

I love this post, John! We always joke about giving the kids a "hot toddy" when we can't get them to sleep LOL Turns out this not a drink for little ones to take at all, but mommy and daddy could sure use one :) I think bourbon and brown sugar sounds perfect with this! Temps are supposed to drop here this weekend so, bookmarked!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, definitely not a drink for the little ones! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Hot Toddyis more than just a beverage with a funny name. I associate it with the ski lodges of my youth. Hot toddies and ski lodges are indeed a good combination. But more likely, when winter rolls around, I consider the hot toddy as the original nighttime sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever so you can rest medicine. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, this is a terrific nighttime sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever so you can rest medicine! :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

Perfect timing! Tonight's movie night next to a roaming fire. What's better to go with that than this hot toddy! Thanks Johns!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, this drink goes well with roaring fires! :-) Plus it's a slow sipper -- perfect for movies. Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

This cocktail should be on our menu for today. Although they (so far) have missed the prediction of 4-6 inches of snow, it is still frigid!!!!! Enjoy the warm vacay!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, we've had a ton of rain the last day, and now it looks as if we'll be getting at least some snow. Time for one of these! :-) Thanks for the comment.

handmade by amalia said...

This is what I'll drink when Noel Coward invites me for cocktails.
Amalia
xo

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amalia, good idea! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

You know comfort food? This is a total comfort sip. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, definitely a comfort sip! :-) Thanks for the comment.

All That I'm Eating said...

I haven't tried making a hot toddy with rum before, I think I will!

Jeff the Chef said...

I have made a toddy with spiced rum and it's quite good. Never thought of using tea. That sounds interesting.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, dark rum (or a good amber) is wonderful in a hot toddy! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, using tea instead of water does add a whole 'nother layer of flavor. Worth trying, although usually I just use hot waster. :-) I really should try spiced rum sometime -- I've been it's good stuff, but we already have so many different rums on hand I'm reluctant to add another bottle to the collection. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

It has been a long time since I have had a hot toddy. Sounds like a wonderful way to warm up with all the cold weather.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, a terrific way to warm up! :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

I did make this for our fire and a movie and loved it. Normally I use bourbon for toddy's but I tried the dark rum as you suggested and now I think I like rum in my hot toddy rather than bourbon. Thanks!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, we do like bourbon in a toddy, but think dark rum makes a better drink. Glad you liked this!

Sherry's Pickings said...

Such glorious photos! Such a glorious drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, it's a good one. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma @ Bake Then Eat said...

In winter very little beats a hot toddy!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, one of the best winter drinks we know. :-) Thanks for the comment.