How to Make a Hot Toddy (Classic Hot Toddy Recipe)

There is something especially comforting about a hot toddy on a cold evening. If you’ve been learning how to make a hot toddy, you’ll be happy to know that the classic recipe is remarkably simple: whiskey, honey, fresh lemon juice, and hot water come together in a warm drink that’s easy to make and even easier to customize.

But the hot toddy is more than just a cozy winter drink. The word toddy has a surprisingly long history, and there are plenty of opinions about what actually belongs in one. Should you use whiskey or bourbon? Tea or water? Honey or sugar? And does a hot toddy really help when you’re feeling under the weather?

Here’s everything you need to know, starting with a simple classic hot toddy recipe.

What Is a Hot Toddy?

A hot toddy is a warm drink traditionally made with whiskey or another spirit, hot water, and a sweetener such as honey or sugar. Lemon is commonly added, and some versions include tea, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or other spices.

The Oxford English Dictionary gives a wonderfully broad definition: a toddy is typically made with whiskey or another spirit, hot water, sugar or honey, and sometimes lemon or spices.

That last part is important because there isn’t one single recipe that every hot toddy has to follow.

Some people swear by whiskey, honey, lemon, and water. Others add black tea and spices. Some prefer bourbon or brandy, while others make an alcohol-free version.

So while our recipe below is a classic starting point, there is plenty of room to make a hot toddy your own.

A Brief History of the Hot Toddy

The story of the hot toddy begins long before the familiar glass of whiskey, lemon, and honey.

The word toddy originally described the sweet sap collected from certain palm trees in parts of Asia and Africa. The Oxford English Dictionary dates this meaning to around 1611, including an early reference associated with William Finch’s travels. The sap could also be fermented to make an alcoholic drink, sometimes called palm wine.

Over time, toddy came to describe a mixed alcoholic drink as well. The OED’s earliest example of this meaning is from 1741, when someone ordering a toddy was asked whether he wanted it hot or cold. He asked for it “a little warm.”

By the 18th and 19th centuries, toddy was well established as a drink made with spirits and other ingredients. Robert Burns also mentioned toddy in his 1786 poem The Holy Fair, giving us another early glimpse of the drink in English-language literature.

And that brings us surprisingly close to the drink we know today: a spirit softened with something sweet, something acidic, and plenty of warmth.

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Hot Toddy Tips for the Best Flavor

Warm the mug first.
A cold mug can cool your drink surprisingly quickly.

Use fresh lemon.
With such a short ingredient list, fresh lemon makes a difference.

Choose a whiskey you like.
You don’t need a premium bottle, but you do want something you enjoy.

Start with less honey.
You can always add more, but it’s harder to fix a drink that’s too sweet.

Don’t overdo the spices.
A hot toddy should still taste like a drink, not a bowl of potpourri.

Taste before you garnish.
The garnish is optional. The balance of whiskey, lemon, honey, and water is what really matters.

Serve it immediately.
A hot toddy is at its best while it’s warm.

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Hot Toddy Ingredients

One of the best things about a hot toddy is that you don’t need a long shopping list.

Whiskey

Whiskey gives the drink its characteristic warmth and depth. You don’t need an expensive bottle for a hot toddy, either. Choose something you enjoy drinking on its own.

Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish whiskey can all work, although each gives the drink a slightly different personality.

Honey

Honey adds sweetness and rounds out the sharper flavors of lemon and whiskey.

It also happens to be one of the reasons a hot toddy is often associated with soothing a cough. Honey may help reduce coughing, particularly in the context of upper respiratory infections.

Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon keeps the drink from becoming too sweet and gives it a fresh, bright flavor.

Fresh lemon juice is especially nice here because there are only a few ingredients, so each one has a noticeable impact on the finished drink.

Hot Water

Hot water dilutes the whiskey and creates the warm, easy-to-sip drink that makes a hot toddy what it is.

You don’t need anything complicated. Just use water that’s hot enough to warm the drink without making it difficult to sip.

Tea

Tea is optional.

A strong black tea can add depth and body to a hot toddy, but it isn’t necessary for a classic version. If you want the whiskey, honey, and lemon to stand out, hot water is the simpler choice.

Spices

Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and other warming spices can be added if you want a more elaborate winter drink.

They’re completely optional.

What Makes a Hot Toddy a Hot Toddy?

This is where things get interesting, because there isn’t a rigid ingredient list.

Does a hot toddy have to contain whiskey?

No. Whiskey is traditional, but the Oxford English Dictionary describes the drink as containing “whiskey or other spirit.”

Bourbon, Scotch, Irish whiskey, and even brandy can create slightly different versions.

Does a hot toddy have to contain lemon?

No. Lemon is common, but it’s not essential.

That said, we love it because the acidity keeps the drink from tasting overly sweet or heavy.

Does a hot toddy have to contain honey?

No. Sugar is another traditional sweetener.

Honey is especially appealing because it pairs so well with lemon and whiskey.

Does a hot toddy have to contain tea?

Definitely not.

Tea is a popular variation, but hot water is all you need for a classic hot toddy.

Does a hot toddy have to contain alcohol?

Traditionally, toddy is an alcoholic drink, but you can absolutely make a warm, alcohol-free version inspired by the classic.

Does a Hot Toddy Really Help a Cough?

A hot toddy may be soothing when you have a cough, but it’s important to separate feeling better from treating the illness itself.

Warm liquids can soothe an irritated throat, and honey may help reduce coughing. Mayo Clinic notes that honey may lessen coughs associated with upper respiratory infections, while the CDC also recommends pasteurized honey for cough relief in adults and children at least 1 year old.

So if a hot toddy feels good when you’re sick, it’s likely not the whiskey doing the heavy lifting. The warmth, liquid, lemon, and especially the honey may contribute to the soothing effect.

A hot toddy isn’t a cure for a cough, though, and alcohol isn’t necessary to get the soothing benefits of warm water and honey.

⚠️ Important Safety Note for Children:

If making a soothing warm drink for a sick child:

• Never give honey to infants under 1 year old due to the serious risk of infant botulism.
• Omit the alcohol entirely—use only warm water or decaf tea.
• Check the temperature to ensure the liquid is pleasantly warm, not hot, to prevent burns.

Are Hot Toddies Good for Colds?

A hot toddy can be a comforting drink when you have a cold, but it won’t cure the cold.

There is no cure for the common cold, and most colds improve on their own. Drinking plenty of fluids and sipping warm liquids can help you feel more comfortable while you’re sick.

The honey and warm liquid in a hot toddy may be particularly pleasant if you’re dealing with a cough or scratchy throat.

But there’s an important catch: the alcohol isn’t what makes a hot toddy helpful when you’re sick. In fact, Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding alcohol when you’re trying to stay hydrated during a cold because it can contribute to fluid loss.

If you’re making a hot toddy specifically because you don’t feel well, an alcohol-free version may be the better choice.

Why Does a Hot Toddy Make You Feel Better When You’re Sick?

Part of the appeal is simple: warm drinks feel comforting when you don’t feel your best.

A hot toddy also combines several things that can make a drink particularly pleasant when you’re under the weather:

• Warm liquid can soothe an irritated throat.
• Honey may help calm a cough.
• Lemon adds brightness and flavor.
• Water contributes to your overall fluid intake.
• The warmth and ritual can simply make an unpleasant evening feel a little better.

It’s worth remembering that comfort isn’t the same thing as a cure. A hot toddy can be part of your sick-day routine without pretending to be medicine.

What Whiskey Is Best for a Hot Toddy?

The best whiskey for a hot toddy is ultimately one you enjoy.

Bourbon

Bourbon tends to make a smooth, slightly sweet hot toddy and pairs particularly well with honey.

Scotch

Scotch can give the drink a more pronounced, smoky character. If you like smoky spirits, this can make a wonderful hot toddy.

Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is a good choice if you want something relatively smooth and approachable.

Our recommendation

Don’t use your most expensive whiskey unless you want to. A hot toddy has enough flavor from the honey, lemon, and warm water that a reasonably priced whiskey works beautifully.

Can You Make a Hot Toddy Without Alcohol?

Yes.

An alcohol-free hot toddy can still have the same basic appeal: something warm, lightly sweet, citrusy, and soothing.

Try combining:

• 1 cup hot water or strongly brewed tea
• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• A cinnamon stick
• A few thin slices of fresh ginger, optional

Stir everything together and adjust the honey and lemon to taste.

It’s not technically the traditional spirit-based drink, but it captures the warm, comforting character of a hot toddy without the alcohol.

Can You Make a Hot Toddy With Brandy?

Absolutely.

Brandy makes a softer, fruitier variation and can be substituted for the whiskey in a traditional recipe.

Use the same basic combination of brandy, honey, lemon, and hot water, then adjust the sweetness to taste.

Tea or Water: Which Is Better in a Hot Toddy?

Both work, but they create noticeably different drinks.

Hot water gives you a cleaner, simpler hot toddy where the whiskey, honey, and lemon are the main flavors.

Tea adds another layer of flavor and body. Black tea is especially good if you want a stronger, more complex drink.

If you’re making your first hot toddy, we’d start with hot water. Once you’ve tried the classic version, experiment with tea.

Hot Toddy Variations

Once you’ve made the classic recipe, it’s easy to change it up.

Bourbon Hot Toddy

Swap bourbon for your usual whiskey for a slightly sweeter, fuller version.

Tea Hot Toddy

Replace some or all of the hot water with strongly brewed black tea.

Spiced Hot Toddy

Add a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, or fresh ginger while the drink is steeping.

Brandy Hot Toddy

Use brandy instead of whiskey for a softer, fruit-forward version.

Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy

Leave out the spirit and use tea or hot water with honey, lemon, and optional spices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Toddies

What are the ingredients in a hot toddy?

A classic hot toddy is made with whiskey, hot water, honey or another sweetener, and often fresh lemon juice. Tea and spices are optional.

How do you make a hot toddy?

Combine whiskey, honey, fresh lemon juice, and hot water in a warm mug. Stir until the honey dissolves, taste, adjust if needed, and garnish with lemon or cinnamon.

Does a hot toddy help a cough?

A hot toddy may feel soothing when you have a cough, particularly because it contains warm liquid and honey. Honey may help reduce coughing, but a hot toddy does not treat the underlying cause of a cough.

Are hot toddies good for colds?

They can be comforting when you’re sick, but they don’t cure a cold. Warm liquids and honey may help ease some symptoms, while staying hydrated and getting enough rest are important parts of recovering.

What whiskey is best for a hot toddy?

Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish whiskey can all work well. Choose a reasonably priced whiskey that you enjoy.

Can you use bourbon instead of whiskey?

Yes. Bourbon works beautifully in a hot toddy and gives it a slightly sweeter, fuller flavor.

Does a hot toddy get you drunk?

It can. A hot toddy made with whiskey or another spirit contains alcohol, so the amount you drink matters just as it would with any other alcoholic drink.

Final Thoughts

A good hot toddy doesn’t need a complicated ingredient list or a strict set of rules.

Start with whiskey, honey, fresh lemon, and hot water, and you have the foundation of a classic. From there, you can add tea, spices, bourbon, brandy, or even leave out the alcohol entirely.

And perhaps that’s part of the reason the drink has lasted for so long. The recipe has changed over the centuries, but the basic idea remains wonderfully simple: something warm, something comforting, and a few ingredients that come together in a mug.

If you’re looking for another drink to enjoy this season, try our Ruby Citrus Holiday Punch. It’s a bright, sparkling option for holiday gatherings when you want something a little lighter and more celebratory.