Spiced Hot Toddy
This spiced hot toddy is warming and aromatic. It’s a cozy twist on the classic with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and fresh ginger infused right into the water. The spices complement the whiskey beautifully, making it feel like a proper winter drink rather than just sweetened hot water with booze.
About this spiced hot toddy
A hot toddy is a warm cocktail made with whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and hot water. This spiced version infuses the water with whole spices before adding it to the drink, which gives it a deeper, more complex flavor without any extra effort.
The classic hot toddy is often recommended as a cold remedy, and while I can’t make any claims like that, I can say that holding a warm mug of something spiced and slightly boozy does make you feel better. The honey soothes, the lemon brightens, and the whiskey takes the edge off.
What makes this version special is the spiced water. Instead of just pouring hot water over your whiskey and honey, you simmer the water with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and ginger first. It only takes a few extra minutes, but the difference is noticeable. The spices add warmth and fragrance that plain water simply can’t.
Key ingredients and why
Meth
- Bring water with a cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and a slice of ginger to the boil then simmer for 1-2 minutes, then let it steep for another few minutes. Strain the spices out.
- In a heatproof mug, combine whiskey, honey and fresh lemon juice. Top with the spiced water and stir until the honey dissolves. Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Tips
- Use a heatproof glass or mug. Regular glasses can crack with hot liquid. A thick-walled mug or tempered glass works best.
- Don’t boil the whiskey. Add it to the mug, not the saucepan. Boiling drives off the alcohol and dulls the flavor.
- Steep longer for stronger spice flavor. If you like a more intensely spiced drink, let the spices steep for 5-10 minutes instead of 2-3.
- Make spiced water ahead. Prepare a larger batch and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat just the amount you need for each drink.
Variations
- Apple cider toddy: Replace the water with apple cider. Skip the spices since the cider already has plenty of flavor, or use them anyway for an extra-spiced version.
- Extra warming: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the spice blend.
- Honey-free: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different kind of sweetness.
Using powdered spices
If you don’t have whole spices, ground spices work in a pinch. Use 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, a pinch (1/8 tsp) of ground cloves, 1/4 tsp ground star anise, and 1/4 tsp ground ginger. Simmer in the water, then strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the sediment. The flavor won’t be quite as clean, but it still tastes good.
Scaling for a crowd
The spiced water scales easily, but you’ll want fewer cinnamon sticks per serving as the batch gets larger since cinnamon infuses quickly and can overpower.
For 4 servings: 4 cups water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 8 cloves, 4 star anise, 4 ginger slices. Assemble each drink individually with 1.5 oz whiskey, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tsp lemon juice per mug.
For 8 servings: 8 cups water, 4 cinnamon sticks, 16 cloves, 8 star anise, 8 ginger slices.
Make it with apple cider
If you want an even cozier version, try replacing the water with apple cider. My Apple Cider Bourbon Smash uses a similar flavor profile if you’re in the mood for something cold instead.
More warming whiskey cocktails
Spiced Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 slice fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- Garnish: Orange slice cinnamon stick
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring water, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and ginger to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat and let it steep for another few minutes. Strain out the spices.
- In a heatproof mug, add the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice. Stir to mix.
- Pour the spiced water in, stirring to dissolve the honey.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Notes
- The spiced water can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat before using.
- For a stronger spice flavor, let the spices steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Bourbon gives a sweeter drink; rye adds more spice. Both work well.
- For an apple cider version, replace the water with warmed apple cider.
