Welcome back drinkers. Originally I had something else to show off to you fine folks this week, however, at the last minute I made a substitution. I’ve been fighting a nasty head cold over the last few days, and I decided the best cure for said cold was a tried and true remedy that was calling to me: the Hot Toddy. A cocktail for medicinal; and recreational purposes!

The Hot Toddy is a classic, and it can be made many different ways.  I’m pretty sure everyone has their own twist on it, but here are the basic building blocks for one:

Hot Toddy

1 Mug of tea

Juice from 1 fresh lemon wedge

Honey

Alcohol

Brew the tea however you’d like. While the tea is steeping, squeeze the lemon wedge into the mug, then add honey and alcohol.

That’s it. Pretty simple right? Normally, I’m not much of a tea drinker, but this is one way I’ll quite happily drink a mug. One of the best parts about the Hot Toddy is how much you can customize it. In my version, I had a fairly large lemon wedge, added a 4 count of honey and two ounces of rye. Why rye? Well, I thought that it would play nicely with the sweetness the honey adds, and the sour tart from the lemon. My theory was proven true. Any dark alcohol really works here: whiskey, rum, cognac, brandy etc. Whatever you have at home, pour in as much as you’d like.

I suppose there are some legitimate healing qualities in this. The tea does soothe a throat that is sore from coughing on and off all day. Steam coming off the tea can help clear stuffed up sinuses. The booze? Well, it does have some relaxing properties that can be felt so we’ll go with it.

Will this help vanquish the cold I’ve been fighting? I’m not sure. But, alcohol does kill germs (or so I’m told), so I’m willing to give it a shot.

(Banner image found here)