Sweater-weather is a fabulous time of hot chocolate and knitted blankets – yet sometimes you need a little bit more. A hot toddy is ideal for those nights when straight whiskey is just too much but a warm tea is not enough. For this feel-good drink, recipes vary; some may use brown sugar and freshly-squeezed orange juice, others bee’s honey and pure lemon, others herbal tea and so on; yet one thing is for sure: a toddy will never let you down. With these inventive DIY recipes from some of the greatest mixologists in the country, you will be able to spice up your evening with a sassy cocktail without even leaving the comfort of your home! The ingredients for these recipes are simple and the steps are easy as pie, but the end result will keep you wondering how you didn’t discover these babies sooner!
Get ready to wrap yourself in endless cozy knits and fuzzy blankets and sip on your new favorite winter drink. Is it the spicy Moroccan chai toddy with its bold flavors or is it the creamy sweet taste of Mexican dulce de leche? Will you go for the tropical Miami mixture or for the classic sweater weather brew? Will it be the warm spiced rum or the cake-like mint toddy? So many options, so little time. Luckily, this winter vacation you will have plenty of time to pamper yourself, so whichever toddy you choose to make (or in my opinion, all of the above) you will taste a little sip of cocktail heaven.
In author Victoria Moore’s wise words, “the vitamin C for health, the honey to soothe, the alcohol to numb.” So there you go.
NYChai-Tea Toddy
Created by Pamela Wiznitzer from NYC’s Seamstress
1 ½ parts Maker’s 46
2 ½ parts Harney & Sons Winter White Earl Grey
1 part almond milk (at room temperature)
½ part Bénédictine
½ part honey syrup*
Nutmeg for garnish
Stir ingredients in a mixing glass and pour in a Hot Toddy glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg. *Combine 1 cup local New York honey and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
A spicy twist on the classic toddy, this eclectic mix is the energy-booster you need on a slow winter night.
Dulce de Leche Hot-Tea Toddy
Created by Leslie Ross from Texas’ Hunky Dory Tavern
1 ½ parts Maker’s 46
3-4 parts double brewed Harney & Sons White Christmas Tea
¾ part dulce de leche
¼ – ½ part Oloroso (or Palo Cortado Sherry)
Rosemary sprig, orange peel and glazed cranberry for garnish
In a deep pot, boil one tin of Condensed Milk and cover with 3” of water for 2-3 hours. Allow to stand for 15 minutes and then stir ¾ parts of warm dulce de leche mixture combined with 3-4 parts double brewed Harney & Sons White Christmas Tea (steeped for 5 minutes). Pour 3-4 parts of this mixture atop stirred Maker’s 46 and Oloroso (or Palo Cortado Sherry). Serve in a pre-warmed Hot Toddy glass and garnish with a rosemary sprig, orange peel and glazed cranberry.
Adding some Tex-mex culture to the mix, this toddy is both a drink and a dessert! With the sweet, smoky taste of dulce de leche, your tastebuds will be begging for more.
Sweater Weather Toddy
Created by Bridget Maloney from Seattle’s The Sexton
1 ½ Maker’s 46
3-4 parts brewed Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Tea*
¾ part lemon juice
¾ part pure maple syrup
Bittermens Mole Bitters
Dried apple chip and cinnamon for garnish
Build ingredients in a Hot Toddy glass and top with brewed tea. Garnish with a dried apple chip and sprinkle with a dusting of ground cinnamon. *Steep Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Tea in hot water for 3 minutes prior to adding.
This toddy – of course – is ideal for sweater-weather, especially when you are feeling the sniffles coming. The best cure to your winter cold? Cinnamon Spice and everything nice.
Tropical Hot-Tea Toddy
Created by Jaren Rivas – Bartender from Miami’s Repour Bar
1 ½ parts Maker’s 46
4 parts brewed Harney & Sons Holiday Tea*
1 part starfruit-infused honey*
¾ parts grapefruit juice
Starfruit slice and grapefruit peel for garnish
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and pour in a Hot Toddy glass. *To 24 parts clover honey, puree and add two starfruit with equal parts water. Simmer for 20 minutes with the peels of one grapefruit. Let cool and fine strain. **Steep 2 tsp/8oz of boiling water for 5 minutes with Harney & Sons Holiday Tea.
From the land of no winter comes the tropical hot toddy. Oh Miami, of course you would.
Hot Apple Rum
Created by an anonymous soul whom we should all thank.
1 part Sugar Island Spiced Rum
2 parts apple cider
2-3 slices of orange
3-5 cinnamon sticks
Combine ingredients in a crock-pot and stir, heat up and serve as needed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
One of the classics, this toddy is the taste of Christmas. Whether you’re in a cold city or a semi-warm beach this winter, this Hot Apple Rum will bring you all the holiday chills.
Hot Mentha Mess
Created by Erin Sullivan, from NYC’s The Third Man
1 part Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
1 part Branca Menta
6 parts hot chocolate (made half and half with water and sweetened condensed milk)
2 pinches cayenne pepper
1 homemade marshmallow
Heat hot chocolate with water, condensed milk, and cayenne. Pour into mug; add Tres Agaves tequila and Branca Menta. Garnish with homemade marshmallow, sprinkle of cayenne and fresh mint spring.
For those who can’t stay away from sweets – or just don’t want to – this drink/cake is the grand finale to any winter night.
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