Hot Toddy Recipe
This hot toddy recipe will cure whatever ails you! A classic hot cocktail made with whiskey and lemon juice, this vegan version swaps the honey with maple syrup for delicious results.
A hot toddy is a soothing warm cocktail that’s often made as a remedy for colds, but it’s also great to simply warm you up on a blustery winter day. Traditionally made with whiskey, the drink is balanced with bright freshly squeezed lemon juice, sweetener, and cozy spices like cinnamon and cloves. If you love other warm cocktails like hot buttered rum, give this hot toddy a try too!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Toddy Recipe
- Easy to make. This is a cocktail that doesn’t require any special equipment or techniques, and you don’t need a well-stocked home bar either since the only liquor you need is whiskey.
- Versatile. There is so much room to customise this hot toddy recipe! Switch up the ingredients and make it your own.
- Soothing and warming. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just want a warm drink to relax with while you sit by the fire, this vegan hot toddy recipe is absolute perfection.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Hot water
- Whiskey – You can adjust the amount according to your preferences.
- Maple syrup – A vegan honey substitute can be used instead of maple syrup for a more traditional flavour.
- Fresh lemon juice – This gives the hot toddy a vitamin C infusion, which is why so many people make them when they’re coming down with a cold!
- Cinnamon stick, cloves, and lemon – For garnish.
How to Make a Hot Toddy
- Get started. Pour the whiskey into a mug and stir in the maple syrup and lemon juice.
- Add the hot water. Top off the whiskey mixture with hot water and stir again.
- Garnish and serve. Add a cinnamon stick and lemon slice. You can push a few cloves into the lemon slice if you’d like for extra cozy flavour.
Tips and Variations
- Add fresh ginger. For an extra kick of flavour (and some spice that will help clear your sinuses!), grate fresh ginger root, then wrap the grated ginger in a cheesecloth and squeeze the juice into your hot toddy.
- Try using a tea bag. Black tea or ginger tea are both fabulous in a hot toddy. Let the tea bag steep in the hot water before adding it to the mugs. (You can also use tea to make a non-alcoholic hot toddy.)
- Don’t use bottled lemon juice. It just doesn’t have the same bright flavour as fresh!
How to Make Hot Toddies in a Slow Cooker
For a party-friendly spin on this recipe, you can make a big batch of hot toddies in your crockpot. Here’s how:
- Scale up the ingredients. Decide how many servings you’d like to prepare and multiply the ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Combine. Stir the whiskey, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a slow cooker. Pour in the hot water.
- Garnish. Add cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, and cloves.
- Keep warm. Turn the slow cooker to the ‘Keep Warm’ setting, and let guests ladle their own hot toddies!
Proper Storage
- Refrigerator: You can store the hot toddy mixture without the hot water in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: The mixture can also be frozen for longer storage. Just be sure to thaw it completely before heating and serving.
Enjoy friends! If you make this hot toddy recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Hot Toddy Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup hot water, 200 ml
- 1.5 ounces whiskey, or bourbon or rye, 3 tablespoons/45 ml
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or vegan honey substitute
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, from half a lemon, 15 ml
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon slice, for garnish
- a few cloves, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil water in a kettle or saucepan.
- In a heat-safe mug, add the whiskey, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Pour the hot water over the mixture, stirring gently to blend the flavors.
- Add a cinnamon stick and lemon slice for garnish. If you like, press a few cloves into the lemon.
Notes
- Refrigerator: You can store the hot toddy mixture without the hot water in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: The mixture can also be frozen for longer storage. Just be sure to thaw it completely before heating and serving.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
