My friend Philip introduced us to hot toddies when we were in Tahoe a couple of years back. The drink was perfect after being on the slopes all day. Here is his fun story on how he learned to make a hot toddy:
A Hot Toddy is a hot whiskey drink, perfect on a cold day, as an après-ski drink or something to help you sleep if you are suffering from a cold.
When I was in high school I had a job as a cycle delivery boy, delivering groceries around the small Scottish town I grew up in. The job was not too bad in summer, but in winter it was cold, dark, wet, windy and generally miserable.
Most of the people I would deliver groceries to were little old ladies who would talk my ear off for 10 minutes as I stood shivering in their doorway, it was however these same little old ladies that told me how to make the perfect Hot Toddy, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
You want to use good whiskey for this, not the finest malt, but a good Scotch blend like Famous Grouse or Bells, or an Irish whiskey such as Jameson if you prefer the smoother taste.
8 Comments
“Today is the perfect day for a Toddy! I love the addition of clove to your recipe. If people like a sweeter drink, I have made these with Brandy too but Whisky is better in my opinion.”
—Amanda, about 1 year ago
“I drink mine using an herbal tea instead of straight hot water. And if you're suffering from a cold, it's a sure-fire way to help feel better!”
—August, about 1 year ago
“Sounds like a great drink for snowed-in day. I like the herbal tea idea too.”
—lisaiscooking, about 1 year ago
“Ursula,
I have never had a hot toddy, but will now!!!
Stacey”
—Stacey Snacks, about 1 year ago
“I had my first hot Toddy in Vienna in the hotel i was staying at,which luckily had the most amazing whiskey bar, arriving back after dinner on a freezing night, warmed me up in seconds and slept undisturbed till the next morning!”
—Bexs, about 1 year ago
“I was with Philip and Ursula when we first tried Philip's hot toddy. This drink made our week up there - along with the snow angels! I just made this drink for a friend fighting off a sickness and it was a hit!”
—Julie, about 1 year ago
“I was first introduced to a mini hot toddy by my grandmother---prepared at bedtime when I had a bad cold, sore throat and couldn't breath. A couple of sips of her TLC was all I needed to fall asleep. This past July my family traveled to Ireland and when I asked for a hot toddy they asked if I would like to try a 'hot Jami'. Their recipe used Jameson whiskey with brown sugar in the place of honey---very smooooth.”
—Kathy, 6 months ago
“The hot toddy was also introduced to me by my gran when I was Ill as a child. With the winter coming up I quite like the idea of adding them to our pre-Christmas drinks menu.”
—Henry, 3 months ago