A toddy can actually be hot or cold, the Hot Toddy just happens to be the most popular of the two. By definition a toddy is a drink with a distilled spirit, sweetener and water and while the original Hot Toddy portrays that, there are many possibilities if you're creative with what is in your bar. This collection of Hot Toddies shows the range of flavors available and each is a great drink in their own right.
This is
the Hot Toddy, the classic that everyone thinks about when they hear the name and the one that has been made for decades. While most people associate this toddy with
whiskey - usually a blended whiskey but I prefer the robust taste of bourbon - others prefer the sweeter side and use
brandy. Either way, to begin an exploration of Hot Toddies this is the place to start and the one that will never loose any steam.
For the non-drinker the Hot Not Toddy is ideal. Not only is this a
non-alcoholic version of the original, but it allows you to play with different types of
tea to obtain a very personal flavor. Favorites include black oolong, green tea and Earl Grey, but orange and specialty herbal teas are also excellent, especially those with a concentration of
cinnamon. The other great thing about the Hot Not Toddy is that when you are under the weather, this is an easy and soothing drink that is perfectly aromatic and makes you feel a little better.
Photo Courtesy of: © Tanqueray London Dry GinGin makes one of the best bases for toddies and this is a great example. When the Hot Gin Toddy is constructed the botanicals of the gin are enhanced, creating an ultra-aromatic drink. That is offset by the lemon juice and then there's the sugar which finishes the definition of a toddy. This has become one of my favorite toddies simply because when I have a great
Martini gin in stock I know I can sit down and enjoy this drink on the coldest nights when a Martini simply will not do. Nightcap, quick warmer or to find some relief from a head cold, the Hot Gin Toddy is my go to.
The Grand Rum Toddy is one of the results of my personal fascination with the Hot Toddy and shows that with a little creativity you can create any flavor of toddy you could want. In this toddy I've combined the sweet
rum with a sweet orange liqueur - Gran Gala or Grand Marnier - and added a little lime juice for that necessary citrus aspect. The combination comes to life with hot water and ends up being a sort of tropical toddy.
Ginger is not new in the world of hot toddies, but up until a few years ago you needed to make a ginger syrup from fresh root to get this effect. Lucky for the Hot Ginger Toddy,
Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur has been released and that makes this drink as easy as the others to make. Again, when heat is applied to ginger it enhances the aroma and flavors that play off the
bourbon and creates an extremely delightful hot sipper.
The Hot Apple Toddy is another favorite and is a superb choice for chilly days when you need a quick warm up. In this toddy the hot water is replaced with hot apple cider and paired with your favorite
whiskey. Using an
apple brandy is a nice alternative, however it can be a little too much apple for some taste. It's only logical that if we love hot cider so it is only natural that whiskey-spiked hot cider is a tasty treat.
A more traditional way to enjoy apple in your toddy, the Hot Baked Apple Toddy is arguably a more true apple toddy than it's more modern counterpart. This one skips the cider, bringing back the hot water, but obtains its apple appeal through a freshly baked slice of apple and an apple
whiskey base. The bit of extra work is well worth the end result of this toddy.
Apple brandy plays a role in many toddy variations for a few reasons. It was a common form of brandy available in the US since the beginning of the colonies, it's aromatic qualities are enhanced by heat, and we have a fascination with hot apples (cider among the great examples). In the Hot and Fruity Toddy I've paired the appeal of
apple brandy with a brandy-based orange liqueur, offset it with some lime and a bit of honey for extra sweetness.
The sweetness of creme de cassis with the dryness of gin mix together for one of my favorite fall toddies. The Autumn Slumber Toddy is a delicate combination of the flavor of black currant and the sour of lemon, all backed by an aromatic gin. This toddy is a true delight that will you want to curl up with a blanket in front of the fireplace on a chilly autumn night.
My Warm 'n' Toasty Toddy is a simple variation of the original Hot Toddy. In this one the honey is replaced by a fruitier sweetness of grenadine. The result is a stunning and simple warm drink with a hint of fruit.
