My perfect winter night? Curled up on the couch reading a classic and sipping on a steaming cup o’ hot toddy. How often does this happen? Not often. But a girl can dream. And she can make this slightly spicy version of the delicious, warming drink.
Back in ye olden times, hot toddies were used as a remedy for colds and the flu. While I can’t recommend that (though a virgin toddy probably can’t hurt), there’s something almost magical about the way a hot toddy warms you up from the inside. If you’ve ever had one after standing out in the wet and cold for a few hours, you know what I’m talking about.
This recipe calls for you to make your own ginger simple syrup, but you could also substitute store-bought syrup. One thing I’m unwilling to compromise on is the cinnamon stick. It’s just not the same with powdered cinnamon, and you lose out on a handy stirring utensil. I buy big bags of cinnamon sticks at the Asian market near me, and it’s way cheaper than buying little bottles of a couple sticks at my usual store.
The ginger adds a nice kick to this toddy, which otherwise hews pretty close to the classic drink. I prefer bourbon, but you could use whiskey, or even rum, if that’s all you have on hand. Cheers!
Ginger Hot Toddy
Ingredients
For the ginger simple syrup
- One large hand of ginger, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
For the toddy
- 1 ½ ounces whiskey or bourbon
- ¾ ounce ginger simple syrup (see recipe above)
- ½ ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 6 ounces hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lemon slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in water in medium saucepan over low heat. Add ginger and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Combine whiskey, syrup, lemon juice, honey and 6 ounces hot water in a mug. Stir well and garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon wedge.
- Once it cools, store ginger syrup in fridge. Storing the ginger rounds with the syrup will heighten the flavor as it sits.