A Hot Toddy is great on any cold night, but I especially love this tasty cocktail recipe to soothe a cold. Learning how to make a hot toddy was one of the best things I could’ve done to prepare for sick days. This is my go-to recipe when I’m under the weather with a nasty cough. It’s a homemade cure for a common cold that’s easy to make and much tastier than cough syrup!
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This classic winter drink recipe is the perfect warm sip to soothe a sore throat, cough, or cold. Forget the usual hot lemon water– this drink adds whiskey, honey, and ginger into the mix for a cocktail you can enjoy on sick days. I love sitting with this cocktail under a cozy blanket on a chilly night.
What’s in This Hot Toddy Recipe?
- Whiskey or Bourbon: This alcohol is a natural decongestant. Get some pretty good quality. You’re sick! You deserve the best!
- Honey: Sweetens the drink and has antimicrobial properties.
- Lemon: Lemon juice adds a nice acidity to the drink and helps boost immunity!
- Crystallized Ginger: While optional, I always like to add this to reduce inflammation.
Tips for Success
- If I don’t have any whiskey on hand, or want to make this tasty cold remedy for someone under 21, I still love to make a version of this drink without alcohol. I simply leave it out, and combine the rest of the ingredients as directed.
- A nice glass of hot lemon honey water will still do wonders when you’re feeling under the weather. You can also try using hot tea in place of the whiskey, which many readers have recommended!
- This is the best (non-medical) cold remedy I know! The warmth of the drink plus the health benefits of the ingredients (as listed above) can really soothe your sore throat & cough symptoms. There is some research that says hot drinks help the common cold or flu by increasing airflow.
How to Store and Reheat
This recipe is for one hot toddy, but if you don’t finish the whole glass, you can store leftovers in the fridge. Just be sure to heat it up and give it a good stir before drinking the rest.
Serving Suggestions
If you need some other recipes to help you get through your sick day, I’ve got you covered. I’m known to make a pot of chicken noodle soup, turkey noodle soup, chicken broth, or a delicious bowl of ramen. If you prefer a different drink, try this detox lemonade for more health benefits.
5-Star Review
“The tastiest, easiest and most effective hot toddy yet!” – Tracy
Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cold
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon Get some pretty good quality. You’re sick! You deserve the best!
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- 4 ounces water
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 cube crystallized ginger optional
- 1 slice fresh lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Mix together whiskey, water, and lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl.2 ounces whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces water, 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Microwave for 1 minute, or until it's piping hot.
- Stir in the honey, and drop in the ginger if using.1½ tablespoons honey, 1 cube crystallized ginger
- Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy–you and your cold deserve it!1 slice fresh lemon
Video
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make A Hot Toddy Step by Step
Make the Drink: Mix together 2 ounces of whiskey or bourbon, 4 ounces of water, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, or until it’s piping hot.
Garnish the Drink: Stir in 1½ tablespoons of honey, and drop in 1 cube of crystallized ginger if using. Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy– you and your cold deserve it!
A delicious, simple, comforting drink. It stopped my coughing and put me to sleep. It worked when I’d already taken OTC meds and was still coughing without ceasing
Kinda tastes like a lemon honey cough drop, but the hot liquid is helping clear up my sinuses. Keeping this one in the books for my next cold.
Absolutely marvelous! Exactly what I needed for my post Covid cough.
The tastiest, easiest and most effective hot toddy yet!
Thanks for stopping by, Tracy!
Battling a post covid cough that won’t leave! This has already soothed my throat! Not too strong, and easy to make. Can’t wait to see how I sleep tonight!
Wishing you good health!
Made this recipe and it was very simple and delicious thank you so very much this definitely helped my cold
Happy to hear! Feel better soon!
Where did you get these mugs??
I wish I could remember, but my collection is quite large it’s hard to remember!
They look like Chambord’s coffee glasses!
Hoping this helps!
Wishing you good health!
my BF is sick with a nasty cold coughing sore throat the whole nine yards, ive been looking around to see what i can do for him aside from the usual stuff came across this i will make this for him later hope it works
Wishing you and your boyfriend good health!
I am 77 and have used this for some time. At times it works well but when the situation is really bad the toddy does not prove to be of exceptional benefit. Despite that, I still use it as there is some level of comfort. Some sites argue that the toddy is bad for you, especially the alcohol. My guess is they have never really given it a try. For me, it works nicely on a cough but not for long. I find I must keep drinking the mix throughout the day to keep the cough a bay.
Wishing you great health!