
Cocktail
Hot Toddy
Le Hot Toddy est un cocktail réconfortant, idéal pour les soirées froides. Il se compose généralement de whisky, d'eau chaude, de miel et de citron, offrant une combinaison parfaite de douceur et de chaleur. Parfait pour apaiser le corps et l'esprit, il est souvent apprécié comme remède contre le rhume.
- chaud
- épicé
- sucré
- citronné
- Prep Time
- 10 min
- Glass
- Irish coffee cup
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- 10%
- Yields
- 1 serving
Le Hot Toddy est un cocktail dominé par le whiskey, à préparer en 10 minutes. Le résultat : des saveurs chaud and épicé qui valent chaque instant de préparation. Régulièrement en tête des recherches pour "hiver".
Key Takeaways
What you’ll learn
- The hot toddy is a pre-Prohibition classic combining whiskey, hot water, honey, and lemon — a drink that doubles as folk cold remedy.
- The classic ratio is 2 oz whiskey to 6 oz hot water with 1 tablespoon honey and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice.
- Bourbon creates sweetness and vanilla warmth, scotch adds smokiness, and rye provides spicy complexity — all are legitimate choices.
- Traditional spices include a cinnamon stick, 2–3 whole cloves, and an optional fresh ginger slice for added warmth.
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Ingredients
- Serves
- 1 serving
- Glass
- Irish coffee cup
- Prep
- 10 min
- 50 mlWhiskey
- 15 mlHoney
- 1Cinnamon
- 1lemon
- 2Cloves
Method
Preparation
- 01
ÉTAPE 1
- 02
Fouettez le whisky et le miel ensemble et répartissez le mélange dans 2 verres résistants à la chaleur. Ajoutez la moitié du bâton de cannelle dans chaque verre, puis complétez avec 200 ml d'eau bouillante.
- 03
ÉTAPE 2
- 04
Ajoutez un peu de jus de citron dans chaque verre, puis goûtez et ajoutez-en davantage selon votre goût. Terminez chaque verre avec une tranche de citron, pi
Origin
History & Origins
The hot toddy's history is as murky and warming as the drink itself. The most widely accepted theory traces the name "toddy" to India, where British colonists encountered "taddy," a drink made from fermented palm sap. As the British Empire expanded, the concept of mixing spirits with hot water, sugar, and spices travelled with it. By the 18th century, the hot toddy had become a staple in Scotland and Ireland, serving as both a social drink and a folk remedy for everything from colds to rheumatism.
Scottish physician Dr. Robert Bentley Todd prescribed hot toddies to patients in the 1800s — a practice lacking modern scientific validation but cementing the drink's medicinal reputation for generations. The name may also derive from Tod's Well in Edinburgh, a source of water famous for its purity. Regardless of its exact etymology, the hot toddy emigrated to America with Scottish and Irish immigrants, becoming a winter staple particularly in colder regions.
Robert Bentley Todd prescribed hot toddies to patients in the 1800s — a practice lacking modern scientific validation but cementing the drink's medicinal reputation for generations.
During Prohibition, hot toddies gained renewed popularity as the added ingredients helped mask the harsh taste of poorly made illegal spirits. The drink's folk-medicine reputation provided convenient cover. Today the hot toddy remains a beloved winter ritual: part drink, part ceremony, part comfort — the choice of whiskey (bourbon for sweetness, scotch for smoke, rye for spice) allowing infinite personalisation within a simple, timeless formula.
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Bartender’s Insight
Pro Tips
Warm the glass by filling with hot water before adding ingredients to maintain optimal serving temperature
From Willow
use raw honey and fresh lemon juice for maximum flavor and potential health benefits
add spices like cinnamon, cloves, or star anise for complexity and warming properties
serve immediately while steaming for optimal comfort and aromatics
At the Table
Perfect Pairings
Beyond the Classic
Variations
Spiced Hot Toddy
Incorporates cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise for warming spice complexity
Honey Whiskey Toddy
Uses whiskey infused with additional honey and spices for enhanced depth
Apple Cider Toddy
Substitutes apple cider for water, creating a more robust, autumn-inspired warming drink
Questions
Frequently Asked
- The Hot Toddy has a flavor profile that is chaud, épicé, sucré, citronné. It is crafted to balance these characteristics into a harmonious, satisfying drink that appeals to a wide range of palates.
- The Hot Toddy is ideal for hiver, soirées froides, moments de détente. Its flavor profile and presentation make it a versatile choice that works equally well as a social cocktail or a relaxed evening drink.
- Yes, there are several ways to adapt a Hot Toddy. If you cannot source Whiskey, look for a similar alternative that matches its flavor profile. Keep in mind that substitutions may alter the balance of the cocktail, so start with a smaller quantity and adjust to taste. The variations section above lists popular alternatives bartenders use.
- Some of the most popular Hot Toddy variations include Spiced Hot Toddy, Honey Whiskey Toddy, Apple Cider Toddy. Each variation puts a unique twist on the original recipe while retaining the essential character of the classic cocktail.
- The Hot Toddy is traditionally served in a Irish coffee cup. Using the right glassware is important because it affects the aroma, temperature retention, and overall drinking experience. If you do not have a Irish coffee cup on hand, a similar shaped glass will work.
- Yes, a mocktail version of the Hot Toddy is possible. Replace the base spirit with a non-alcoholic spirit alternative (there are many quality options available) and keep all other components the same. The result will capture much of the original's flavor profile while being suitable for guests who prefer alcohol-free options.
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