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Warm up with this Bourbon Hot Toddy inspired by the classic American spirit of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In addition to being an ideal holiday or cold-weather drink, a hot toddy is a popular cure for colds and sore throats.
While it’s not going to solve any medical conditions, its soothing warmth of honey, spices and lemon might help you feel better!
A Bit about Kentucky Bourbon
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail features a stop in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. During my visit I met Master Distiller Jimmy Russell at Wild Turkey Distillery and learned about the craft of distilling fine bourbon.
He explained how bourbon is made according to time-honored traditions. The process begins with Kentucky corn, selected rye and barley malt, fresh limestone spring water and heritage yeast.
The mash then goes through several phases of cooking, fermenting and distilling. Then, it’s stored in hand-selected, charred white oak barrels and aged to maturity.
By law, bourbon must be distilled from no less than 51% corn, but the actual crafting of taste is in the hands of the Master Distiller.
One of the most intriguing products at Wild Turkey Distillery is American Honey, a smooth liqueur made of pure honey and premium Kentucky bourbon. It’s perfect straight out of the bottle, chilled in the freezer, or on the rocks.
Best Type of Bourbon to Use for a Hot Toddy
Although American Honey bourbon liqueur is fabulous to sip straight up after dinner, it also works beautifully in a hot toddy.
What is the difference between honey bourbon and bourbon? Honey bourbon is a liqueur of pure honey and bourbon whiskey. Bourbon is simply pure Kentucky bourbon. Honey bourbon is much sweeter than bourbon.
If you don’t have American Honey Bourbon liqueur (or another brand such as Evan Williams Honey Bourbon), just substitute a good quality bourbon or whiskey.
I’m a fan of Four Roses Yellow Label bourbon. Its warm, caramel notes, sweetness and smooth character makes it one of the best bourbons for a hot toddy.
Just increase the honey in your Bourbon Hot Toddy to taste.
Importance of Nutmeg in a Bourbon Hot Toddy
It’s important to use fresh nutmeg when making your Bourbon Hot Toddy. In this easy recipe, bourbon meets fresh nutmeg from Grenada, known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean.
Not only do you get the fantastic aroma and flavour punch of freshly ground nutmeg but it add a boost of wellness to your drink. Nutmeg is a soothing spice offering many benefits.
Its properties offer a calming effect that’s good for insomnia and an aid for indigestion. It even treats bad breath!
It’s easy to add nutmeg to your hot toddy (and many other recipes). I recommend purchasing a Microplane zester/grater. It’s much better than trying to use a spice grinder because a little bit of fresh nutmeg goes a very long way and if you use a spice grinder, much will go to waste .
It’s easy to grate fresh nutmeg. Once you have your ball of nutmeg, crack it open with a mallet.
Remove the shell and, holding your microplane at a 45 degree angle, grate as much nutmeg as you’d like. Store the remaining unused nutmeg in the refrigerator once it has been cracked open.
How to Make a Bourbon Hot Toddy
You don’t need any special equipment to make a hot toddy. I often prepare mine in a mug I picked up while cruising Germany’s Christmas Markets, adding a truly global taste to this winter drink.
If you have a clear glass mug, that’s the best for a classic look. But any heatproof mug will do.
Ingredients include:
- honey
- honey bourbon or bourbon
- fresh grated nutmeg
- fresh lemon
- boiling water
1. Boil fresh water. Allow the boiled water to rest for one minute.
2. Once you’ve got your heatproof mugs in place, add the bourbon, honey, fresh lemon juice (also great for battling a winter cold) and grated nutmeg into the mug.
3. Then, pour the boiled water into the mug.
4. Next, pop in a twist of lemon for garnish and use a cinnamon stick for a stir stick. You can even stud the lemon with cloves if you’re feeling fancy.
If you’d like to make your hot toddy without lemon, a slide of fresh orange is a great option.
5. That’s it! Sip carefully and enjoy the winter weather.
If you try this hot toddy recipe or any other recipe on the blog, please be sure to rate the recipe and let me know how it turns out in the comments below.
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More Amazing Cocktail and Bourbon Recipes
Bourbon Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 3 ounce honey bourbon liqueur or if using bourbon whiskey, add an extra tablespoon of honey
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh nutmeg grated
- 2 1/2 cups boiling water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 twists of lemon or orange peel
Instructions
- Boil fresh water. Allow the boiled water to rest for one minute.
- Pour the bourbon into a heatproof container.
- Add honey, lemon juice and grated nutmeg.
- Pour boiled water into the container.
- Stir until the honey is dissolved.
- Distribute among two large mugs.
- Add a twist of lemon or orange peel and a cinnamon stick to each mug.
Notes
- If you don't have fresh nutmeg, just substitute dried nutmeg.
- A bourbon or rye whiskey is a good substitute for honey bourbon liqueur...just add more honey to taste.
Nutrition
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Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek
Okay, I admit, I bought the honey bourbon because of the bottle. (We’re turkey farmers) but I LOVE it on cold winter’s night. My Hot Toddy recipe is a bit simpler than yours- just water, lemon juice, honey and the Honey Bourbon heated – but it is SO good!
Sherel Purcell
Hot rum and bourbon? I want one like 10 minutes ago!
Lesley Peterson
I love dark rum, nutmeg and hot toddies! I’ve never tried one with honey bourbon before, I must get my hands on some and try it–soon.
esperanza
Ahem, I feel a cold coming on. A hot honey bourbon and rum toddy is just the remedy!
Johanna
Oh yum, what a lovely remedy. Err, with or without a cold.
Suzanne Stavert
YUM YUM YUM! Please share your “boozy finds” with me any day!
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru
Oh yes, please! Nothing like a toddy to ward off the chill. Even if it’s not cold. 😉
noel
It’s a cold and rainy day here in San Francisco, this would be the perfect drink today, so yes please!
Irene S. Levine
Looks like a perfect winter drink and you really look AT HOME in that distillery! 🙂
Every good wish for the holidays!
The GypsyNesters
Nothing like a hot toddy on a cold winter night. Love it, thanks!
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Love your souvenir boozes! My most recent one is Brennivin liquor from Iceland–a schnapps that is called “firewater” and known as “black death.” It’s made from fermented potatoes and flavored with caraway seeds. I find that it isn’t as scary as touted–it goes down easy and gives me a good night’s sleep. Wish I’d brought home more.
Rhonda Albom
I could use a hot toddy right about now. Fun post.
(Visiting from Travel Photos Monday)
A Cook Not Mad (Nat)
One of Tim’s favourite winter drinks.
Anita @ No Particular Place To Go
It’s hard to picture the warm glow a hot toddy can bring one while we’re here in Cartagena, Colombia but I well remember sipping a few on cold nights when we lived in Montana. Your recipe looks delicious, especially the Guatemalan rum which I remember tasting when we were there a couple of years ago.
Donna Janke
I’m not fond of rum, but this toddy sounds great, especially as I am battling off a cold at the moment.
alison abbott
Yum Michele-I can already feel my cheeks getting rosy from your recipe. This would be the perfect drink for an outdoor skating party I have coming up. Cheers!