There is almost nothing as wonderful to drink on a cold winters night than a hot toddy! There are many ways to create them and many families have their own special recipes, some passed down through many generations! My own favorite version comes from my memories as a little girl. I was a horseback rider and my trainer was an Irish woman. She was a wonderful cook, but even better were the evenings spent at her house because she lived above her stable and I could listen to my pony eating while I was sitting on her couch.

Whenever I had the slightest cold or chill she would make me one of these. I won't go into the legalities of giving a youngster like me alcohol and that was many years ago, at least 35 years ago to be sure! I am quite sure that today she probably wouldn't be so inclined! But it is safe to say that more than one of these helped me go to sleep on a restless night before a horseshow!

Mrs. Bailey made hers with Irish Whiskey and I make mine with single malt Scotch and a touch of Drambuie. No matter which you use, several things should remain constant to retain the full therapeutic value of this drink! First and most obvious, this is a hot drink. Some make it with water but I like to use Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea for a flavourful base. If you choose to use a tea, please read the label to make sure that it does not contain caffeine so that you can relax! The other thing that is a constant with a hot toddy is the use of a simple alcohol, nothing creamy or your drink will curdle! Bourbon if you like, Single malt, Irish whiskey or even rye, any of these are a good addition. I love the full flavor of a hearty Laphroig single malt, but use your favorite and make it your own. You won’t go wrong!

Some use sugar to flavor, but I really do prefer honey. I think that if you are truly making a hot toddy to comfort yourself during a bout of the flu that good honey is an essential ingredient to sooth a savage throat!

So , get out a lovely glass mug or any mug that makes you happy for that matter and let’s get started!

You will need;

1 jigger of single malt scotch or any of the above mentioned alcohols

½ jigger of Drambuie , that lovely Scottish liqueur flavored with honey and herbs

1 cup of steaming hot, well brewed tea

2 tablespoons of really good honey

1 big slice of fresh lemon

A pinch of Cayenne pepper and a pinch of Cinnamon (to open up the bronchial tubes!)

Take the mug and put into it all of the ingredients but the steaming tea. If the alcohol is warmed slightly that’s even better! Then pour the hot tea over them and stir gently. That’s it with the exception of a pretty cinnamon stick garnish!
Grab your drink, curl up in a big chair with your favorite book or favorite someone and relax! That’s all there is to it!