A Hot Toddy is great on any cold night, but I especially love this tasty cocktail recipe to soothe a cold. This warm hot toddy recipe 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!
Hot Toddy Recipe
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.
- Easy. Just heat up your liquids, mix in the other ingredients, and you’ll have a warm drink ready to sip. 5 ingredients, 5 minutes, and a microwave are all you need!
- Soothing. Whiskey is a great decongestant, honey has antimicrobial properties, lemon juice boosts immunity, and ginger reduces inflammation.
- Tasty. This adult bevvy is a little sweet, a little zesty, and a whole lot delicious.
Variations on a Hot Toddy
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!
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How to Store
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.
A classic hot toddy is a warm drink made with whiskey, along with other ingredients like honey, water, and lemon. It’s commonly served as a cold remedy to help relieve symptoms, like coughs, congestion, sore or scratchy throats, and inflammation.
It’s 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 air flow.
More Hot Toddy Recipes to Try
Pro tip: We do not claim that this cold remedy hot toddy is in any way actual medicine for a cold. It can be comforting, but always see a doctor if you are sick in order to get medical advice. I find that it’s a great supplement to traditional meds when I’m feeling under the weather.
5-Star Review
“The tastiest, easiest and most effective hot toddy yet!” – Tracy
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!
I love this! I love doing liquor! But don’t do drugs, kids!
I don’t care for alcohol but this was fantastic! I had a cold with a cough that I could not get rid of. So I made this toddy using fireball whiskey. Flavors of lemon and ginger complimented the whiskey well. Calmed my cough immediately! I hope it helps me sleep! Thank you for the recipe.
We’re so happy to hear it helped!
Great recipe and medicinal staple for the upcoming cold and flu season. I’ll definitely try out this version. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Shannon!
I’m a recovering alcoholic, so no whiskey or bourbon for me, but it works and tastes great with just the hot water, honey, lemon and ginger. Thanks for the recipe, especially the part about skipping the alcohol altogether!
So glad you enjoyed it, Mandy!
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.
That’s total bull$#t. I drink honey in ginger tea all the time.
Yeah that’s the totally false
scroll on down. your “comment” is not functional