4 Warming Cocktails to Mix on National Hot Toddy Day

By Amanda Gabriele

National Hot Toddy Day comes at the perfect time every year.

As we say goodbye to the holidays and hello to a new year, we’re in the mood for a soothing, warming drink that we can sip slowly in front of a roaring fireplace or a good movie. While the original Hot Toddy recipe is a simple combo of whiskey, hot water, lemon juice and honey, we’re looking for something a little more interesting to mix up this season. These four Toddy recipes employ the help of liqueurs, bitters and even wine for an extra tasty way to celebrate this year.

The Cooper & Thief Hot Toddy, bottle and cocktail with garnish

The Cooper & Thief Hot Toddy

The Cooper & Thief Hot Toddy

Fans of red wine will appreciate this Toddy riff, created by Elliott Clark, aka the Apartment Bartender. Here, Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend is simmered with sugar and spices to make a syrup that pairs perfectly with High West American Prairie Bourbon.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. High West American Prairie Bourbon
  • .5 oz. Lemon Juice
  • .5 oz. Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend Spiced Syrup*
  • 3-4 oz. Hot Water
  • Burnt Cinnamon Stick (for Garnish)

Preparation: Combine bourbon, lemon juice and spiced syrup in a mug. Top with hot water and stir. Garnish with a burnt cinnamon stick.

*Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend Spiced Syrup

Ingredients:

  • .5 cup Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend
  • 1–2 Cinnamon Sticks, Broken in Half
  • 1–2 Star Anise
  • .5 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 8–12 oz. Hot Water

Preparation: In a saucepan, lightly simmer wine, broken cinnamon sticks and star anise until warm. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and strain.


Castle Hot Toddy, cocktail with garnish, dark background

Castle Hot Toddy

Castle Hot Toddy

Instead of using honey to sweeten this Toddy variation, it gets an extra boozy kick from Celtic Honey Liqueur. A lemon peel studded with cloves adds both flair and flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
  • 1 oz. Celtic Honey Liqueur
  • Lemon Peel
  • 5-6 Cloves
  • 1 cup Hot Water

Preparation: Add Knappogue Whiskey and Celtic Honey to an Irish Coffee glass. Insert the cloves into your lemon peel and drop it into the glass. Very gently, muddle the lemon a few times to release the oils. Fill the glass with hot water.


Good Measure’s Hot Toddy, bottle and cocktail on bar

Good Measure’s Hot Toddy

Good Measure’s Hot Toddy

Created by the bar team at Chicago’s Good Measure, this is one of the tastiest Toddys we’ve ever had. They mix Craigellachie 13-Year-Old single malt scotch with almond liqueur and Giffard Banana du Bresil for a sweet, nutty cocktail that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Craigellachie 13-Year-Old
  • .25 oz. Creme De Noyaux
  • .25 oz. Giffard Banana du Bresil
  • .24 oz. Demerara Syrup
  • 3 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Dehydrated Orange Wheel (for Garnish)

Preparation: Fill mug with hot water to warm. While mug is warming up, fill a large shaker tin roughly 1/3-1/2 with hot water and carefully place small shaker tin inside. Combine all ingredients in smaller tin and stir to warm. Pour water out of mug and carefully pour the hot cocktail into mug. Top with hot water and garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel.


Fistful of Bourbon Hot Toddy, bottle with cocktail, garnish

Fistful of Bourbon Hot Toddy

Fistful of Bourbon Hot Toddy

Fans of anything mint chocolate will love this Hot Toddy, which combines Fistful of Bourbon with a mint simple syrup and creme de cacao. To make the mint syrup, add one cup of water, one cup of sugar and one cup of mint to a saucepan. Heat until the sugar is dissolved and strain.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Fistful of Bourbon
  • 2 oz. Hot Water
  • .5 oz. Mint Simple Syrup
  • .5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1 barspoon Creme de Cacao
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Mint Sprig (for Garnish)
  • Freshly Grated Nutmeg (for Garnish)

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mug. Garnish with a large sprig of mint and freshly grated nutmeg.

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