How to Make Hot Toddy (2 Ways – Classic & Smoked)

The Hot Toddy is the perfect alcoholic winter drink to make at home. We are going to learn how to make it 2 ways.Feeling a cold coming on? Or your throat starting to itch? Then learn how to make the classic hot toddy which is perfect hot winter drink to get you back on your feet. Feeling adventurous? Then the smoked Hot Toddy is complex and perfect for a night by the fire place. 

You will need:

The Classic Hot Toddy

1.5 Oz (or 45 ml) of Whiskey

1 tsp of Lemon Juice

1 tsp of honey

1 cinnamon stick

1 lemon slice

3 cloves

7 Oz (or 200ml) Hot Water (and some extra to warm your cup)

The Smoked Hot Toddy 

1.5 Oz (or 45 ml) of Whiskey

1 tsp of Lemon Juice

1 tsp of honey

1 cinnamon stick

1 lemon slice

3 cloves

1 -2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

7 Oz (or 200ml) Hot Chamomile Tea (and some extra hot water to warm your cup)

Hot Chamomile Tea

1 Chamomile Tea Bag

3 Cloves

2 Star Anise

2 – 3 Lemon Peels

7 Oz (or 200ml) Hot Water

To Make the Classic Hot Toddy 

Bring your water to a rolling boil. Pour some into your serving cup to warm it up and discard the water.

Add your whiskey, honey and lemon juice into the cup. Next fill the cup with hot water and mixed well till well combined. 

To garnish, add a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon. As an optional step, you can choose to stud the lemon with the cloves.

To Make the Smoked Hot Toddy

Break up a cinnamon stick into smaller pieces. With a blowtorch, a stove or lighter, light the cinnamon on fire and extinguish the flames with your serving cup that has been inverted.

Toast your cloves and star anise lightly over a pan over medium low heat for a few minutes. Keep moving the spices around so that they wont burn.

Add the toasted cloves and star anise into a tea pot along with a bag of chamomile tea and 2-3 lemon peels. Add your hot water and let steep for about 3 minutes.

By now your serving cup should be smokey and warm. Set it up right and let the excess smoke escape. Next add your whiskey, lemon juice, honey, spiced chamomile tea, angostura bitters and stir well. 

To garnish, add a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon. As an optional step, you can choose to stud the lemon with the cloves.