Hot Toddy

The classic hot toddy is one of the simplest cocktails around; it’s the perfect winter drink to make at home, even when your bar collection is spare. A mix of boiling water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, it’s a cozy way to warm up on a cold night.

There are almost countless ways to prepare a hot toddy, though. Some recipes call for making the drink with hot tea or adding a cinnamon stick or a lemon slice as a garnish. Some swap the honey for maple syrup or brown sugar. You could even simmer some cinnamon, whole cloves, and a corner of a star anise—the same spices you might put into apple cider or mulled wine—in your hot water to add extra flavor. And, of course, you can choose your favorite spirit: Bourbon is delicious, but toddies can also be made with Irish whiskey, Scotch, brandy, or dark rum. Go a bit further afield and experiment with making a toddy of any of your favorite classic cocktail recipes. You can probably imagine how well an old-fashioned transforms into a warm drink when you add some hot water. But did you know that you can toddy a negroni? Still, this classic hot toddy recipe hits all the right notes and requires only three ingredients (plus a kettle) to create the warming drink. Some people also claim that it helps to soothe a sore throat; your doctor may have other ideas about what’s best for that.