Tea Hot Toddy

This tea hot toddy is made with herbal tea, bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. It’s a delicious hot cocktail that’s the perfect for sick days.

THERE IS NO CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD. THIS RECIPE IS INTENDED TO HELP SOOTHE COLD SYMPTOMS, BUT IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.

Has the winter weather taken its toll on you this year?  

Have you made it through cold and flu season unscathed?  

We haven’t.  

In fact, this winter has been a little bit rough.  Between the two of us, the husband and I have managed to catch what seems like every cold virus coming and going.

We’re on the mend now (again), but I know some of you are still trying to get better.  

When I get sick, I usually making a batch of my onion and garlic “get well soup” and some bourbon cough syrup right away.

And then there’s something else I do.

I make this tea hot toddy.

What is a hot toddy?

Hot toddies are traditionally made with liquor, hot water, honey, and some type of herb or spice.

They’re delicious even if you’re completely well, but they’re especially known for being a home remedy for illness.

The warm liquor helps you fall asleep, the honey soothes your throat, and the herbs and spices and flavor and nutrients.

Choosing a Tea

First, you need tea.

I especially love to use mint tea in my hot toddies. I recommend Republic of Tea’s organic mint fields.

If you decide to use a different tea, try to stick with herbal tea and not caffeinated tea. The goal is to drink a tea hot toddy and then go to sleep.

Add Lemon to the hot toddy

Next, grab a lemon.

Or have a friend bring you one from the store.

Lemon juice is deliciously perfect in a hot toddy, because lemon juice tastes amazing, is packed with vitamin C, and helps to naturally break down mucus build-up.

Why Add Honey?

If you don’t usually drink your tea with sweetener, you might be inclined to skip the honey.

And you can definitely skip it if you prefer.

But.

Honey in a hot toddy is doesn’t just add flavor. It also helps coat your throat and acts as a natural cough syrup.

The Best Liquor for a Hot Toddy

There’s one more thing you should add to this hot toddy– the not-so-secret ingredient.

Hot toddies are usually made with either bourbon or whiskey. I usually add a little Maker’s Mark bourbon to mine.

how to make a Tea Hot Toddy

To make a your sick day cocktail, start by brewing the tea.

Add add a little bourbon, the honey, and a squeeze of lemon.  That’s it.  

You don’t want anything too complicated right now anyway, right?  Adjust the amounts to taste, sip your hot toddy slowly, and feel better.

Print Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Tea Hot Toddy

This tea hot toddy is made with herbal tea, bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. It's a delicious hot cocktail that's the perfect for sick days.

Author: Champagne Tastes

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 112kcal

Freezer Friendly?

No

Will It Keep?

No

Ingredients

• 1 herbal tea bag (or 1 1/2 tsp loose leaf herbal tea)
• 1 oz bourbon (or sub whiskey)
• 2 tsp honey, to taste
• 1/8 lemon, sliced (1-2 slices)

Instructions

• Brew tea in hot water for 2-3 minutes.
• Add bourbon to tea.  Add honey (or agave) to taste.  
• Squeeze a lemon slice (or 2) into the drink, and then serve with the lemon slice still inside.  Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal (6%) | Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 12g (13%) | Vitamin C: 7mg (8%)

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