Holiday Cocktails: Hot Toddy Variations with 3 Recipes from the Walnut Family

UPDATED DECEMBER 8, 2024. The hot toddy is a warm, soothing, spiced whiskey drink. It's the perfect way to cozy up on a cold winter day. And for some, the warm honey, lemon, and spirit is taken medicinally for sore throats.

There are many ways to make a hot toddy, and most don't involve a recipe! Here, we're sharing the foundations to make your own, plus three different recipes: a different variation from everyone in the Walnut Studiolo family.

Here at Walnut, we know all about the comforts of the "hot whisky" in foul winter weather. Our home on the North Oregon Coast is rainy, windy and gray with dramatic winter storms during the holiday seasons. Roaring winds and crashing surf make for atmospheric seaside visits followed by warm-up drinks back home.

Once you learn the basics of the hot toddy, it's easy to make many variations using what you have on hand. Here are the five elements:

• The Vessel
• The Spirits
• The Sweetener
• The Sour
• The Spice (or Tea)

The spirit you choose is up to you, but it is usually high-proof. The flavor of the spirit will shine once diluted with water, so this is the time to pick a favorite.

Whiskey is traditional: this guide from Thrillist talks about the differences between whiskies, including Scotch and Irish, rye, and bourbon. 

A smoky, peaty Scotch is tempered by the water and lemon. Rye is a lovely choice: that earthy, savory rye flavor is balanced by the honey. You might lessen the honey if you choose a sweeter spirit like bourbon or rum. 

Whiskey is traditional, but you could go out of the box with another spirit: Valerie's recipe below uses rum, but you could use tequila, gin, brandy...

Honey is traditional: plus, honey diluted with warm water is very soothing to a sore throat. 

But you can use any kind of sweetener you like: sugar is readily available. Sugar, simple syrup, or agave syrup have a light flavor and take a backseat to the other flavors. Molassas would bring strong and interesting flavors (along with some vitamins and minerals!).

The sour note offsets the sweet to bring balance and harmony. A slice of lemon hand-squeezed into the glass is traditional: plus, a hot lemon is very soothing to a sore throat.

Any kind of citrus is welcome here: orange, lime, mandarins, satsumas, are all great choices. Adding the fresh citrus wedge or slice to the water brings the flavor (essentials oils) in the rind as well.

But you can use any kind of citrus or sour note you have on hand: in a pinch, bottled lemon juice or even apple cider vinegar works!

Spice brings interest and flavors to the hot toddy, but it's not strictly necessary. Many hot toddies omit the spice. And yet some also add a tea bag, with the tea bringing flavor just like a spice.

Traditionally, a whole nutmeg is grated over the top. The incomparable creamy smell of freshly-grated nutmeg is something pretty special. Whole nutmegs have a long shelf life too, making them worth the investment. 

You can use any spice that creates the flavors you're looking for. A pinch of dried spice works just fine, although some spices like ginger may be enjoyed as a fresh slice. Typically, warm autumnal pumpkin pie spices are used: allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove for example.

There's no exact science to hot toddies. Try these recipe as-is and adjust according to your tastes. You may find that you like it with more or less sweetener, stronger tea... or perhaps just a nip more of the spirits. We hope one our Walnut Family Hot Toddies will become a holiday favorite in your household, too. Cheers! 

Maker Geoff Franklin grew up in Oregon, and this is his family twist on a classic recipe. The inclusion of Pendleton Whiskey, a Canadian style of whiskey, is a matter of regional family pride: he grew up on the family farm near Pendleton. After one or two of these, you just might find yourself hooting Let'er Buck! 

• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Wedge of lemon
• 1 large soup-spoonful of honey
• 8 oz hot water
• 2 oz Pendleton whiskey

Directions: Put the nutmeg, lemon wedge and honey into a mug, pour hot water on top. Stir with the honey spoon until honey has dissolved. Add the whiskey last.  

Business manager Valerie Franklin spent some time in the U.S. Virgin Islands as a young woman. Wishing for warmer, sunnier weather during cold northern winters, she makes one inspired by Caribbean flavors.

• Just a few grains of ground cloves
• Wedge of lime
• 1 spoonful of honey
• 8 oz hot water
• 1.5-2 oz dark rum, such as Goslings

Directions: Put the cloves, lime wedge and honey into a mug, pour hot water on top. Stir it all with the honey spoon until honey has dissolved. Add the rum last.  

Former Social Media Manager Ayleen Crotty says that as a child she and her mom spent the Christmas holiday lazily drinking Constant Comment tea by the fireplace. As an adult, this ritual became Constant Comment transformed into a Hot Toddy. When the recipe made its way into a family cookbook, the drink affectionately earned the title Hot Crotty.

• Orange spice black tea (caffeinated or not) - Ayleen recommends Constant Comment
• 1 tsp honey
• 8 oz water
• 1/4 lemon
• 1 oz of whiskey
• Cinnamon stick

Directions:

• Heat 8 oz water until just under boiling. Steep the tea bag for five minutes then remove.
• Cut a slice off of a 1/4 lemon and set aside.
• Stir honey and squeeze the lemon into the tea. 
• Add 3/4 jigger of whisky (approx 1 oz) or less according to taste.
• Stir with the cinnamon stick and allow it to remain in the glass.
• Rub the small lemon slice on the rim then use it to garnish the drink.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

~ From Geoff, Valerie, and Ayleen at Walnut Studiolo