Feeling down and need a pick-me-up? This Hot Toddy For a Cold is soothing, flavorful, and can make a person feel better. Get the recipe today!
As we have already discussed, there is historical precedence in using a hot toddy for medical purposes. I will never claim that you should drink a hot toddy as medicine. For Pete’s sake (whoever Pete is), go see a doctor (which I am not) if this is even a question.
I have, however, been guilty of partaking in hot drinks when my throat has been sore. Today, we are going to build a toddy recipe that I will drink if I am feeling under the weather. We are making a hot toddy for a cold.
As a disclaimer, if you are feeling in the dumps, more of this is NOT better. Creating a situation where you are hungover AND sick would not be fun.
Use common sense people… have a single hot toddy or maybe two to relieve your symptoms and don't mix medicines that you are not supposed to with alcohol. Maybe even skip the booze altogether, but what fun is that? We are going to add the brandy warmness to this recipe.
Ingredients Selection
I deliberately sought out ingredients that I thought would be soothing for a sore throat. When I get sick like this, you might find me gargling with salt water or popping cough drops like they are candy. So, I added cough drops.
First, I just experimented with some mentholated cough drops in a glass of hot water. The cough drops, sure enough, disintegrate into the liquid. Not only does it disintegrate, the hot steam gives off a soothing menthol vapor that would be great for a sore throat.
I decided to add a bit of ginger to the mix. I like the bit of zing it brings to the drink, and it also has medicinal properties. The properties of ginger may help fight the pain of a sore throat, but possibly also assist in the fight your body is going through to lick that cold. Additionally, ginger just tastes good and goes well with honey, which is coming.
Before I think of a hot toddy for a cold, I actually think of honey and lemon. It is a sore throat soother that has been around for a very long time. Adding these ingredients seemed necessary and essential to make a cocktail that would be good for fighting a sore throat.
Whiskey. I am choosing to go with Fireball Whiskey. The motto is “Tastes like heaven, burns like hell.” We aren’t drinking this straight, so it should not burn like hell. We are adding it to a mixture of other spicy and soothing ingredients. The Fireball should add a little bit of a soothing spice, as well as add some nice cinnamon flavor, and maybe help clear out some congestion.
This recipe is meant to soothe a throat and clear some sinuses. Or maybe it is just meant to taste good! The combination of the Fireball, ginger, cough drops, honey and lemon should really give all sorts of comfort if a person is feeling in the dumps.
Print
Hot Toddy For a Cold
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 5 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 Min
- Yield: 1 Drink 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Heating
- Cuisine: Comfort
Description
If you are going to drink a cocktail when you are not feeling well, this should be the one. This soothing and spiced drink has flavors that comfort sore throats.
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces of water
- 2 Menthol Cough Drops
- 1 slice of fresh ginger
- 2 Ounces Fireball Whiskey
- 1 Tablespoon of honey
- 1 lemon wedge
Instructions
- Heat water to boil in teapot or microwave
- In Irish coffee mug or other appropriate mugs, add cough drops, ginger, whiskey, and honey
- Once water is heated, add to mug
- Stir to help dissolve cough drops, 2-3 minutes
- Squeeze lemon wedge into drink
- Serve
Keywords: hot toddy for a cold
Jenna
Maybe I should have tried this a couple of days ago instead of going to the DR.
Ben
Or maybe go to the doctor AND drink a toddy!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish
Just what I needed! Thanks for sharing.
Ben
Good... it is just a soothing drink.
Joyce
That's definitely one way to stay warm and cozy this year! I'll take one each day - regardless of colds! 😀 Maybe the whiskey will keep them away! 😀 haha
Ben
> Maybe the whiskey will keep them away!
Exactly what I am counting on. 😉
Katie Crenshaw
My husband's sinuses have been acting up. I am so glad I found this recipe. I am going to make this for him.
Ben
Great! Let me know if it makes him feel better.
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
Anything with honey, lemon & ginger in wins my vote when I've got a sore throat but the fireball whisky is an added bonus. I'm sure it would help me feel better
Cindy @ The Sweet Nerd
I love hot toddys. I can't do Fireball though, so I will swap with my fave whiskey. I love adding the cough drops. But...do I have to have a sore throat to drink this? Kidding. Kind of.
Ben
no. drink up. Add the cough drops. It will taste good.
mjskitchen
Wish I had seen this last month when I had a bad cold. This would have been perfect! Might have to fake a cold and give this a try. 🙂
Agness of Run Agness Run
Wow! Seems like a great beverage which I'll definitely need for the cold winter days, Ben. Great combo of some nutrient-dense ingredients. Can I use maple syrup instead of honey when preparing it?
Danielle
This always does the trick when one of us has a cold. We use manuka honey in ours.
★★★★★
Tayler Ross
This is so perfect for flu season coming up! Bookmarking this for the future!
★★★★★