"hot toddy" news and stories

Happy National Hot Toddy Day!

Made from a powerful trio of spirit (typically whiskey), sweetener (sugar or honey) and water or tea, the cocktail is a warming winter favorite. Drop a zesty lemon peel into the tipple for a "Whiskey Skin," or, as suggested by Slashfoodie James Cury, toss in a cinnamon stick or clove for extra seasoning.

Popularized in cold European climates for its warming effects, the hot toddy was created as a cold remedy, with honey for the throat, lemon for a slice of vitamin C and alcohol as a cough-suppressant and relaxant -- but is delicious on any cold-weather day. Read up on the toddy's background and start brewing your own steaming cups from Texascooking.com.

Many hot drinks, unlike most cold ones, hail from a long line of magical medicinal elixirs. This is true whether you prefer to be healed with or without alcohol.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa and clove -- perennial holiday spices -- pop up in dozens of warming cocktails not just because they are wonderfully aromatic, but because they relieve upset stomachs. Coffees, teas and chocolates are noted for their antioxidants as much as their terrific flavor versatility; you can easily make them extra sweet, spicy or boozy. And whiskey and rum, the usual go-to ingredients in warm cocktails, have long been known to soothe the soul.

The ten hot drinks listed after the jump represent both specific libations and general cocktail categories. Serve in mugs or snifters -- they warm the hands too.

A hot toddy is a flawless elixir for a long winter's night.

Get this hot toddy recipe along with many others after the jump.

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, and one of the reasons is because I love the idea of sitting on my couch, in front of a roaring fire, reading, while cupping a hot drink in my hand. OK, so I don't have a fireplace, so it's usually the television. But still, a cold night and a warm drink is something I cherish.

That drink is usually a hot cup of tea. I've never been big on hot alcoholic drinks. Not because I don't like them, but because I can't be bothered with making something hot. But with the weather turning cold (finally!), the recipe after the jump, The Kathy Madison, is something I'll try, even though I'm not a big bourbon fan. Maybe the apple cider and ginger will overpower it enough for me.

With all the holidays coming up, we here at Slashfood want to help you celebrate and share some recipes with you. Hot or cold they're all good, and just the thing to put you in a party mood. Some of my favorites are hot drinks like mulled cider with rum and mulled wine. They're easy to make and you can control how strong they are, so you don't get obliterated at the beginning of your party, or fall asleep on your guests late at night.

Mulled Wine
Buy mulling spices or use a mix of cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and some citrus zest or slices of any type. Take a bottle of inexpensive but decent red wine and pour into a pot, add the mulling spices and zest, bring to a low simmer for five minutes, then strain into a mug. To control the strength and make the wine a bit less potent you can add some fruit juice such as orange, apple, cranberry, pomegranate, etc. before warming it up.

Mulled Sweet Apple Cider with Rum
Buy mulling spices or use a mix of cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and citrus zest or slices. Add to sweet apple cider in a pot and bring to a simmer for five minutes then strain, pour into a mug and add a shot of rum of your preference.