Honey Hot Toddy For Winter

If you’ve never had a Hot Toddy on a cold winter night, you must. Known as a “hot whisky” in Scotland, it can mixed in any number of ways.  But typically, it is served as one is (according to Wikipedia) “retiring” for the night. Love that. In essence, it’s a true “nightcap.”

Some believe the Hot Toddy is a natural remedy for easing aches and pains that are associated with the common cold. Is that really an old wives’ tale? According to the Smithsonian Magazine, from a scientific perspective, a Hot Toddy is actually pretty great at soothing your cold symptoms.

The ingredients in a Hot Toddy do the same thing as some cold meds, and whiskey (or bourbon) is said to help fight off infection and the growth of microorganisms. Whiskey is also believed to be a decongestant because alcohol dilates blood vessels. Add the heat factor, some honey, and lemon, you may have a great grown-up common-cold remedy, or at the very least, something tasty to ease your symptoms.

My only rule of thumb in making a great hot toddy: if it’s not cloudy, there is not enough alcohol or lemon in it. A nice golden-yellow color similar to that of honey itself shows that you’ve mastered just the right balance, at least in my book.