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!
My boyfriend has been coughing non stop from really bad cold for last couple days. Thank you this recipe is giving him relief looking forward to good nights rest without coughing all night.
I’m suffering from a nasty cold, and this is a true lifesaver. Thank you for making feel less miserable!!!
I’m currently suffering from COVID, and this is doing wonders for my congestion and tastes great (luckily no sense of taste lost!) Thanks for making me less miserable!
than im pretty sure it isnt covid just a regular cold or flu
I’ve had covid 3x, 2 of which were confirmed with tests at the doctor’s office, and did not lose any sense of taste or smell other than what you lose with a stuffy nose. It is not always a symptom.
My daughter and I weren’t feeling well tonight and I made this for us. It was soothing to my sore throat and over all cold symptoms and very tasty.
My mom used to make hot toddies for herself when she was sick growing up I’d never had one and this time I feel sickness coming on I just had surgery last week so I couldn’t drive anywhere and I just so happened to have some little mini bottles of whiskey in my freezer Honey lemon and some powdered spiced Ginger but it was surprisingly good and a nice deviation from tea. Thank you
Thanks for the recipe. Used lime instead cause that’s what I had available. Tasted great and helped my throat. Going back to bed now. Cheers ☕️
My dad used to make us toddy’s, I looked for a recipe and came up with yours, I have a real bad cough and drinking your toddy without the liquor it helped me breathe and didn’t cough a lot, I used a cinnamon stick!
This was really delicious! Thinking about making another after I cook some potato soup
We’re so happy to hear you loved it, Shay!
I lost 40lbs fast by just drinking fresh ginger and honey as a hot tea at night.
Don’t like whisky, used black rum, lemon, 1/2 spoon sugar water bring to boil and enjoy
Thanks for sharing what worked for you, John!