Hot toddy made with chamomile tea, honey, and whiskey. This nightcap will help you doze off in no time! Feel free to make this hot toddy with whiskey, rum, or brandy.
What is a Hot Toddy?
Children who are having trouble falling to sleep are often prescribed a glass of warm milk to help them nod off. Their parents, having spent the night cajoling, ordering and begging their children to go to bed, may need something a bit stronger.
Enter this chamomile hot toddy. It’s a drink of whiskey, honey, and lemon mixed with chamomile tea to help you doze off in no time.
How To Make a Hot Toddy
Since the toddy is supposedly Irish in origin, purists insist that only Irish whiskey be used in the drink.
However, as the recipe became popular outside Ireland, spreading throughout Europe and North America, so did its boozy variations.
I say, use what you have in your liquor cabinet and most enjoy! Brandy, bourbon, and rum can all be used used in place of whiskeyand make a delicious hot toddy.
Also, while certainly not traditional, I find the addition of chamomile tea really transforms this soothing, but otherwise ho-hum drink into a truly fantastic cocktail. The floral notes of the tea bring out the sweeter, spicier notes of the spirits and give the drink a more captivating flavor.
Chamomile-Honey Hot Toddy Recipe
In addition, I find steeping a fresh slice of ginger in the hot water for a few minutes is nice if you’re feeling congested.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) whiskey, bourbon, brandy, or dark rum
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (from 1/2 fresh lemon)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cupboiling hot water (or up to 1/2 cup, if you’d likeyour toddy to be less strong)
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- Lemon wheel, for garnish (optional)
Method
1 Combine the liquor, lemon juice, and honey in a small mug.
2 Add the hot water and stir until the honey dissolves.
3 Add the tea bag and steep for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Remove the tea bag and garnish with a fresh lemon.
Enjoy in bed with a favorite book.
