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    Home » Cocktails » Bourbon

    The Best Bourbon Hot Toddy

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2019 PUBLISHED: November 4, 2019 By Pam Greer 8 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Make a warming Bourbon Hot Toddy at the first sign of cold or flu!  It's so good, you'll want to drink it even when you're not sick.  Honey, lemon, warm water and bourbon make a comforting warm whiskey cocktail that soothes your soul and your throat! 

    Two mugs of a dark orange liquid with a lemon slice floating on top.

    Benefits of Drinking a Hot Toddy

    The only thing to look forward to during the cold and flu season is that you have a reason to drink a hot toddy.  At the first sign of anything, or even if I just feel cold and need something soothing, I make a hot toddy. 

    This hot whiskey drink will literally soothe your throat and your soul.   You might be wondering if it really does help. 

     

    It turns out that it does.  Whiskey acts as a decongestant by dilating the blood vessels.  The lemon and honey can soothe your throat.  Just drinking a warm drink as opposed to a room temperature drink can make you feel better.  

    Bottle of bourbon, jar of honey, and a lemon to make a hot toddy.

    What you Need to Make a Bourbon Hot Toddy 

    • Bourbon - or whiskey.  Note - all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon - my big takeaway from doing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.  So feel free to use your favorite bourbon or your favorite whiskey.  
    • Honey - try to find a local honey if you can to support your local bee keepers. 
    • Lemon - organic if possible since you'll be floating a slice with the peel in your drink. 

    Bottle of bourbon and two glasses with a little bourbon in the bottom of each one.

    How to Make This Bourbon Hot Toddy! 

    Heat at least a cup of water to boiling.  Pour it into the mug to warm the glass and then pour it back into the pan. 

    We are going to build the hot toddy in the glass so you don't need a cocktail shaker, just a spoon for stirring. 

    Add 2 ounces of bourbon to your mug.

    Opened jar of honey and honey and bourbon in two glass mugs.

    Add two tablespoons of honey on top of the bourbon.  Again, try and find a local honey.  Try the different flavors that they have.  For this we used a wildflower honey. 

    Glass mugs filled with honey, bourbon, and lemon juice for a hot toddy.

    Add and ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice to the bourbon and honey.  Really try to use fresh squeezed, it is so much better than bottled.  I cut a slice out of the lemon for floating on the drink before squeezing the juice. 

    You can also squeeze some lemons ahead of time, it will last for about 2-3 days in the fridge or for 6 months in the freezer. 

    Two glass mugs with bright orange liquid hot toddy.

    Add six ounces of hot water to your mug and stir to mix and dissolve the honey.  To make it really easy, I pour water in a glass measuring cup and heat it in the microwave until it's boiling and then just pour it straight from the cup into the mug! 

    Float a lemon slice on top.

     

    Two mugs filled with a hot toddy with a lemon floating on top.

    The Best Hot Toddy Recipe! 

    This is seriously the best hot toddy recipe.  I've tried several and this is the perfect blend of sweet and tart.  

    You might have noticed that I made two.  The hubs was feeling poorly, sore throat, coughing and then it turned out he had pink eye!  So, I offered to make him a bourbon hot toddy.  

    It's just as easy to make two as it is to make one.  Plus, I love them.  They are really good, sweet, tart and so comforting! 

    Even More Bourbon Cocktail Recipes that you Need to Try! 

    The Cherry Bourbon is great for sipping and I use it other recipes in place of regular bourbon or whiskey. 

    If you make that cherry bourbon (and you should) next on your list should be a Cherry Old Fashioned. 

    Speaking of old fashioned's, you have to try my fall old fashioned! 

    If you make this I would love it if you would follow me and tag me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

    Two mugs filled with a hot toddy.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 34 votes

    Bourbon Hot Toddy

    The easy hot toddy recipe soothes your throat and your soul!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 264.89kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces Bourbon
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 1 ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
    • 6 ounces hot water
    • 1 slice of lemon

    Instructions

    • Bring about a cup of water to a boil either on the stove or in the microwave. Pour some into your mug to warm it and then pour the water back into it's container.
    • Add the bourbon to your warmed mug, then the honey, and then the lemon.
    • Top with the warm water and stir.
    • Float a lemon slice on top.

    Notes

    Bourbon - can use any whiskey that you like. 
    Honey - try to use a local honey, also can try other flavors of honey. 
    Lemon juice - always try and used fresh squeezed, it is so much better than bottled! 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 264.89kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.57g | Protein: 0.23g | Fat: 0.07g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 11.03mg | Sugar: 35.2g | Vitamin C: 10.97mg

    More Bourbon Cocktails

    • How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned
    • 9 Blackberry Cocktails that are Bursting with Flavor!
    • 27 EASY 3 Ingredient Cocktail Recipes
    • Boulevardier Cocktail

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. S. Viray says

      February 23, 2021 at 6:50 pm

      5 stars
      Wasn't feeling good, out of sorts and was about to make my old standby toddy...has an asian flair with ginger and thai mint instead of lemon but also with honey. Decided to see if there was something interesting for a change though my toddy does work. Found this, tried it and OMG. Not only is this really tasty it really works. Did use a higher proof bourbon though. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    2. Heidy L. McCallum says

      November 04, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I was thinking these Hot Toddies would be perfect this weekend to enjoy by the fire while we relax and take the stress of a crazy work week off. My husband loves Bourbon and I bet he would really enjoy these!

      Reply
    3. Adriana says

      November 04, 2019 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      I totally love bourbon and a hot toddy, perfect idea for the holidays cannot wait to try it and cheer for you with this great recipe.

      Reply
    4. Toni says

      November 04, 2019 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      Such a perfect drink for fall!! I loved it!

      Reply
    5. Romina says

      November 04, 2019 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      Super easy and looks perfect for winter!

      Reply
    6. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      November 04, 2019 at 11:09 am

      5 stars
      I love a good hot toddy! I'd rather have it without the cold or flu, but any way I can enjoy one...

      Reply
      • Cheryl Crotty says

        February 15, 2020 at 11:16 am

        5 stars
        Thanks, Pam for sending this to me. I did find it last night but I was already in bed so today I went back and copied it. It is 9 degrees here so I think tonight will be a good time to try it. I'm also going to look for that bourbon but not sure if I will find it in my area. I love the sounds of the cherry bourbon also. Anything cherry and I'm in. Have a great weekend...xo

        Reply
        • Pam Greer says

          February 15, 2020 at 1:41 pm

          It's become my favorite winter cocktail, a must have when I'm sick, though I like it when I'm feeling fine too 🙂

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    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

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