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!

A cup of lemon tea with a slice of lemon.

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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.
A cup of tea with lemon slices and honey on a wooden table.
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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.

A cup of lemonade with honey and lemon slices on a wooden table.

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

Recipe Card

Hot Toddy Recipe for a Cold

4.61 from 468 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Becky Hardin
A cup of lemon tea with a slice of lemon.
This hot toddy recipe for a cold is my go-to recipe when I'm under the weather. It's the best cold remedy! Learn how to make a hot toddy!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon Get some pretty good quality. You’re sick! You deserve the best!
  • 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
    A bottle of bourbon sits on a table next to a cup of coffee.
  • 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
    A mug of lemonade with a slice of lemon next to it.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy–you and your cold deserve it!
    1 slice fresh lemon

Video

Becky’s Tips

I 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.
Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 27gSodium: 7mgSugar: 26gVitamin C: 3.9mg

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.

A bottle of bourbon sits on a table next to a cup of coffee.

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!

A mug of lemonade with a slice of lemon next to it.

More Hot Cocktails to Try!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.61 from 468 votes (421 ratings without comment)
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87 Comments
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Michelle
Michelle
January 6, 2024 3:01 am

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.5 stars

Last edited 10 months ago by Michelle
Jenny
Jenny
December 28, 2023 10:03 pm

I’m suffering from a nasty cold, and this is a true lifesaver. Thank you for making feel less miserable!!!5 stars

Jenny
Jenny
December 27, 2023 6:53 pm

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!5 stars

Last edited 10 months ago by Jenny
Greg
Greg
January 12, 2024 3:58 pm
Reply to  Jenny

than im pretty sure it isnt covid just a regular cold or flu

Joy
Joy
January 18, 2024 10:50 am
Reply to  Greg

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.

Libby
Libby
December 20, 2023 8:37 pm

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.5 stars

Kari
Kari
December 16, 2023 12:03 am

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 you4 stars

Karin De Leon
Karin De Leon
December 9, 2023 6:40 am

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 ☕️5 stars

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Isabelle
Isabelle
December 9, 2023 1:34 am

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!5 stars

Shay
Shay
November 14, 2023 5:02 pm

This was really delicious! Thinking about making another after I cook some potato soup5 stars

Samantha Marceau
November 15, 2023 8:13 am
Reply to  Shay

We’re so happy to hear you loved it, Shay!

Valerie
Valerie
November 3, 2023 9:10 pm

I lost 40lbs fast by just drinking fresh ginger and honey as a hot tea at night.

JOHN MAC
JOHN MAC
October 14, 2023 7:17 pm

Don’t like whisky, used black rum, lemon, 1/2 spoon sugar water bring to boil and enjoy4 stars

Samantha Marceau
October 16, 2023 9:20 am
Reply to  JOHN MAC

Thanks for sharing what worked for you, John!