A hot toddy is great on any cold night, but I especially love this hot toddy recipe to sooth a cold. This warm cocktail is my go-to recipe when I’m under the weather with a nasty cough. A classic whiskey hot toddy is the best cold remedy, and the tastiest! A homemade cure for a common cold that’s easy to make and much tastier than cough syrup! Once you learn how to make a Hot Toddy, you’ll be able to soothe your cold in no time!
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Hot Toddy
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a hot toddy…it’s so easy! This classic hot toddy recipe is the perfect warm sip to sooth a sore throat or cough.
It’s cold and flu season! I get a killer head cold EVERY SINGLE WINTER. If I have to choose between drinking a cap-full of grape flavored cough syrup or drinking this Hot Toddy for a Cold, I think you know what I’m choosing.
Yes, Dimetapp seemed to taste pretty good as a kid, but a bit of whiskey for a cold is the answer for the over 21 crowd. It’s definitely the best cold remedy if you ask me!
This drink recipe is soothing, delicious, and super easy. I don’t recommend it as an actual cure (I’m not claiming to be a doctor), but it sure does seem to help. This warm drink is also perfect for any cold, rainy, snowy night over the winter, even if you’re not under the weather.
This Hot Toddy Recipe is just what the doctor ordered for all of us over the age of 21 (aren’t we lucky!).
Is a Hot Toddy a good cold remedy?
Yes! It’s the best cold remedy I know. The warmth of the drink & ingredients can really soothe your sore throat & cough symptoms. Plus whiskey is a pretty good decongestant, and it definitely helps take away the pain of a headache.
This Hot Toddy Recipe has made an appearance at our house more than a handful of times this winter.
When you have a baby in daycare, you have to learn all the tricks to stay healthy. Sometimes when I feel so sick and disgusting and lazy, and the only words being exchanged at our house are “bless you” and “leave me alone”. We have had a doozy of a cold and flu season this year and this drink has gotten me through! Once Henry is in bed for the night, it’s time for Mommy to feel better too!
This whiskey Hot Toddy Recipe is the only drink that gets me through a bad cold; that and a nice bowl of soup. You understand. And on days we aren’t sick, I still crave this deliciously warm cocktail!
How to make a Hot Toddy
This cold remedy is easy to make, which is great because you’re probably not feeling that well while making it. All you need is a few soothing ingredients, a microwave, and about 5 minutes!
Hot Toddy Ingredients:
- Whiskey (good quality)
- Hot Water
- Honey
- Ginger
- Lemon Juice
How to Make a Hot Toddy:
- Mix whiskey, water, & lemon juice
- Microwave 1 minute (until hot)
- Stir in honey (& ginger for an extra kick to that cold)
Now drink up! This hot toddy for your cold will warm you up and soothe your throat in no time. It’s the perfect thing to drink at bedtime to help you get some sleep.
Best Cold Remedy
Drinking this hot toddy for a cough is just so much more tasty than medicine!
I’m no doctor, and I definitely don’t claim that this will take the place of real medicine, BUT I do think a cold remedy hot toddy will make you feel better. There’s something about the warm water, honey, lemon, and whiskey for a cold that can really cure any blues.
Benefits of Drinking a Hot Toddy:
- Whiskey is a great decongestant, and it helps soothe any pain associated with your head cold.
- Hot liquids of any kind are a good way to soothe a sore throat.
- Honey and lemon help soothe a cough and any congestion.
- Ginger is an optional ingredient, but it REALLY helps with cold symptoms.
Being sick is no excuse for not enjoying yourself! In fact, this is a comforting cocktail whether or not you’re stricken with the winter cold and flu blues. We don’t discriminate. This Hot Toddy is sure to comfort anyone and everyone (except children under the age of 21).
Hot Toddy for Coughing
If you find yourself searching “Hot Toddy For Cough”…I’m here for you. This cocktail a day keeps the doctor away. Or at least makes the time until you can see a doctor a little more enjoyable.
Cold and Flu season is such a mess and such a drain on families. This hot toddy won’t cure anything (nothing truly cures a cold; you just gotta deal with the symptoms), but I know it can lift some spirits while soothing your throat.
Guaranteed to help with coughs and sore throats. Whiskey is good like that! If you need a hot sip of something soothing on a cold day, this recipe is your ticket. GO AWAY Cold and Flu Season!
Hot Toddy without Whiskey
If you aren’t 21, don’t worry! You can still enjoy this hot drink to help soothe your cold. Just make this recipe without the whiskey. You’ve still got the hot water, lemon, and honey to help with those cold symptoms. It’s the best cold remedy with or without whiskey!
Some people might just call that honey lemon water, but every drink deserves a name.
Even if you’re feeling fine, this classic hot toddy will warm you up on a cold evening. Everyone gets to enjoy this warm cocktail!
Be sure to check out some of our other fave at home remedy recipes such as our Glowing Skin Smoothie and Detox Lemonade!
See the recipe card below for full details on How to Make a Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cough. Feel better!
Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cold
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon Get some pretty good quality. You're sick! You deserve the best!
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 4 ounces water
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 cube crystallized ginger optional
- 1 slice fresh lemon as garnish
Instructions
- Mix together whiskey, water, and lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 1 minute, or until is piping hot.
- Stir in the honey and drop in the ginger if adding.
- Garnish with lemon slice and enjoy, you and your cold deserve it!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Nutrition Information
I don’t have a slice ofemon or ginger but I do have honey, lemon juice and a very nice bottle if 12yrs old anCnoc single malt to try this with,thanks for the recipe 😊
Thanks for stopping by, William!
Trying this now as I have a nasty cold. Strong but tasty! I did have to add more honey for my taste.
There’s no such thing as too much honey! I’m glad I could help!
Thank you for sharing
Thanks, Karen!
Delicious and works a treat for tickly coughs keeping you awake at night! Cant believe ive never had this before! My go to remedy now. Thanks!
You’re welcome!!
I made this for my hubby last night and he woke up the next morning feeling better! I used a bit of fresh grated ginger instead of the crystallized ginger and it worked out great.
That’s great, Elizabeth!
I have been feeling horrible for about 3 weeks so I went searching for a hot toddy and my throat is happy right now. Maybe I will be able to rest tonight without constant coughing. I will let you know how I feel later.
I hope this works for you!!
As with any remedy that incorporates booze as a main ingredient, there is such a thing as too many hot toddies if your goal is to actually feel better. While the alcohol in one drink is great for falling asleep and feeling refreshed, one too many and the sleep you receive won’t be that refreshing at all, and could cause you to wake up the next morning with worse symptoms than you had before. So stick to one, and you should be good to go.
I totally agree! I said above its not a cure but just a fun recipe.
Thank you! Just made this with fresh lemon juice and grated fresh ginger. Haven’t felt this well all day. Relaxed and ready to get some rest.
That makes me so happy to hear!
A glass of lemon tea in the old tired, fresh and healthy drink, thanks for sharing the formula.
My grandmother used to make almost exactly this, but with tea added too. Every single Christmas I’d end up with a headcold while visiting and she would whip up a small cup for me, even as a 10 year old.Worked like a charm! Even better as an adult when I can have a larger serving!
Love the addition of tea! I bet that would taste great. Thanks for saying hi!