A hot toddy tea is the perfect comforting cocktail and winter night drink. The soothing powers of tea, lemon, and cinnamon finished off with a strong bourbon. It's a great drink to help fight off any cold symptoms while also enjoying your favorite whiskey.

A glass mug with a tea, cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

Hot toddies, in my opinion are so soothing and something we enjoy on cold winter nights. The honey and lemon help soothe a sore throat and the bourbon adds so much flavor.

A classic hot toddy recipe is typically made with just hot water and bourbon. However, it just feels like it's lacking something.

By simply adding in your favorite tea, it takes this classic cocktail up a notch.

Make it even better by adding in a home simple syrup. This cinnamon simple syrup would be a great addition to any hot toddy.

If you love a good tea recipe, check out my Starbucks copycat medicine ball tea.

You can also add bourbon to a classic sweet recipe. Check out my bourbon caramel sauce.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions and Variations
📋Recipe

Ingredients

This is a basic recipe and can easily be changed to fit your preferences. Below is a good starting point.

What is the best tea to use in a hot toddy?

The best hot tea to use is really up to you. I would highly suggest a strong tea like black, or green tea. You can also use teas that have strong flavors like ginger, turmeric, lemon, or herbal tea.

One of my personal favorite teas to use in a hot toddy is chai tea. The spice of the chai goes really nicely with the bourbon and gives it a lot of extra flavor.

Here is a list of all the different types of tea you can use:

Ginger Tea
Black Tea
Green Tea
Chai Tea
Chamomile Tea
Earl Grey Tea

The flavor of tea you use is totally up to you. Have fun and experiment with different tea to see which flavor you prefer.

Honey:

Fresh honey is a great addition to a hot toddy. Especially when fighting off cold symptoms.

Fresh Lemon juice:

Fresh lemons are going to give you the overall best flavor. Try not to use a concentrate.

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C and a great addition to this warm drink.

Bourbon

You can use your favorite bourbon, Canadian whisky, or Irish whiskey in this drink.

If you don't like whiskey, a spiced rum could be a great substitution.

Instructions

Start off by bringing the water to a boil.

That can be done in a teapot, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, or in an electric kettle. Just make sure you follow the tea directions for the correct steeping temperature.

A glass mug with hot water and a tea bag steeping.

Pour hot water in a mug and steep the tea according to package directions.

A glass mug with tea and honey being drizzled in.

After the tea has been steeped, mix in the honey and stir until it is fully dissolved.

A glass mug with steeping tea and fresh lemon juice being squeezed in.

Add a squeeze of lemon and pour in the bourbon.

A glass mug with a tea and cinnamon stick, shot of bourbon and honey stick.

Sprinkle the cinnamon on top and enjoy!

Optional: Top with a fresh lemon slice and cinnamon stick for presentation.

A glass mug with a hot toddy, cinnamon stick, lemon slice, tea bag and honey stick.

Substitutions and Variations

Dark Rum: If bourbon isn't your thing you can also use a rum in this drink.

Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar or Agave: Either can be used in place of the honey.

Apple Cider: This can also be used in place of hot tea.

Traditional Hot Toddy: Skip the tea and just make this with hot water for a more classic hot toddy.

Make it Sweet: Add in a homemade cinnamon simple syrup to make this drink a little sweeter.

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Other Cold Night Recipes:

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