I used to think hot toddies were just something fancy people ordered at expensive bars. My idea of a winter drink was hot chocolate with marshmallows—which, let’s be honest, still hits the spot.
But then I discovered how easy it is to make a bourbon hot toddy at home. It’s basically hot tea with a splash of bourbon and some honey. No bartending skills required, and it warms you up from the inside out on those cold Portland nights when the rain just won’t quit.
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Hot Toddy
- Quick and easy preparation – This cozy drink comes together in just 5 minutes, making it perfect when you need something warm and comforting fast.
- Simple ingredients – You probably already have most of these pantry staples at home, and the few specialty items like star anise are easy to find.
- Perfect cold weather remedy – The combination of honey, lemon, and warming spices makes this the ideal drink to soothe your throat or warm you up on chilly nights.
- Customizable to your taste – You can easily adjust the honey for sweetness, add more bourbon for strength, or play around with different spices to make it your own.
What Kind of Bourbon Should I Use?
For a hot toddy, you don’t need to break the bank with your bourbon choice – a good mid-range bottle will work perfectly fine. The heat and other ingredients will mellow out the whiskey’s bite, so save your top-shelf bottles for sipping neat. I’d recommend sticking with a bourbon that’s around 80-90 proof, as anything higher might overpower the honey and spices. Popular options like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Wild Turkey work great, but honestly, whatever bourbon you have on hand will do the trick for this cozy drink.
Options for Substitutions
This cozy drink is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here are some easy substitutions:
- Bourbon whiskey: If you don’t have bourbon on hand, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, or even dark rum work great. Each will give you a slightly different flavor profile but still that warming kick you’re looking for.
- Honey: Maple syrup, brown sugar, or regular sugar can step in for honey. Start with a bit less since some sweeteners are stronger than others, then taste and adjust.
- Star anise: No star anise? Try a few whole cloves or a pinch of ground allspice instead. Both will give you that warm, spicy note that makes this drink so comforting.
- Lemon slice: Orange slices work just as well and add a nice citrusy twist. You could also use just a squeeze of fresh lemon or orange juice if you don’t have the whole fruit.
- Cinnamon stick: Ground cinnamon can work in a pinch – just use about 1/4 teaspoon and stir it in. The stick is better for steeping and looks nicer, but the flavor will still be there with ground.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making a hot toddy is adding the bourbon to boiling water, which will cook off the alcohol and leave you with a weak, harsh-tasting drink – instead, let your water cool to just below boiling before stirring in the whiskey.
Another common error is not dissolving the honey properly, so always mix the honey with a small amount of hot water first to create a smooth syrup before adding the rest of your liquid.
Don’t skip the resting time with your spices – let that cinnamon stick and star anise steep for at least 3-5 minutes to really infuse the drink with their warm flavors.
Finally, taste as you go and adjust the honey and lemon to your preference, since different bourbons have varying levels of sweetness and some people prefer a more tart or sweet balance.
What to Serve With Bourbon Hot Toddy?
A bourbon hot toddy is perfect on its own as a warming drink, but it pairs beautifully with cozy snacks that complement those honey and spice flavors. I love serving it alongside buttery shortbread cookies or gingerbread, which really bring out the cinnamon and star anise notes in the drink. For something more substantial, try it with a cheese and charcuterie board featuring aged cheddar and salami, or some roasted nuts like pecans or walnuts. On cold evenings, I also enjoy sipping a hot toddy while munching on dark chocolate or even a slice of apple pie – the bourbon and honey make everything taste like the holidays.
Storage Instructions
Make Ahead: You can prep your honey and lemon slices ahead of time to make serving easier when guests arrive. Store the honey at room temperature and keep lemon slices covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Having everything ready makes it so much faster to whip up multiple toddies for a crowd.
Serve Fresh: Hot toddies are definitely best enjoyed right after making them while they’re still steaming hot. The warmth really brings out all those cozy flavors from the bourbon, honey, and spices. If it cools down too much, just pop it back in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to warm it up again.
Leftover Tips: If you somehow have leftover toddy (which rarely happens!), you can store it in the fridge overnight and gently reheat it the next day. The flavors actually meld together nicely after sitting, though you might want to add a fresh lemon slice when you warm it back up.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-5 minutes |
| Total Time | 5-15 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 180-220
- Protein: 0-1 g
- Fat: 0-1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18-24 g
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz honey
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 to 6 oz hot water
- 1 slice lemon
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 whole star anise
Step 1: Combine Bourbon and Honey
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz honey
Pour the bourbon and honey into a heatproof mug.
This will create the sweet and rich base for your hot toddy.
Step 2: Add Hot Water and Stir
- 4 to 6 oz hot water
- 1 stick cinnamon
Top the mug with 4 to 6 oz of hot water, adjusting the amount depending on how strong you like your drink.
Stir the mixture well, using a cinnamon stick, until all the honey has fully dissolved.
I like to use freshly boiled water to keep the drink steamy hot for longer.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- 1 slice lemon
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 whole star anise
Add a slice of lemon and a whole star anise to the mug.
Pop the cinnamon stick back in for garnish if you like.
This finishes the hot toddy with fresh, aromatic flavors.
Homemade Bourbon Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz honey
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 to 6 oz hot water
- 1 slice lemon
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 whole star anise
Instructions
- Pour the bourbon and honey into a heatproof mug. This will create the sweet and rich base for your hot toddy.
- Top the mug with 4 to 6 oz of hot water, adjusting the amount depending on how strong you like your drink. Stir the mixture well, using a cinnamon stick, until all the honey has fully dissolved. I like to use freshly boiled water to keep the drink steamy hot for longer.
- Add a slice of lemon and a whole star anise to the mug. Pop the cinnamon stick back in for garnish if you like. This finishes the hot toddy with fresh, aromatic flavors.
