Straight Dope Message Board

[GreysonCarlisle]

Woke up with a sore throat a couple of days ago, so I've been sipping hot toddies throughout the day.

We make ours with

1/2 cup whiskey
1 dash of brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 big ass squirt of honey
fill the cup up with boiling water

Frankly, it's gotten dull. Other ideas?

(I like spicy and flavorful, but not hot for the sake of hot. Other people might, though, so feel free to suggest whatever.) 1

[engineer_comp_geek]

Moderator Action

Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. 2

[Chefguy]

I used to drink a "hot brick" when I had a sore throat or a cold. Here is a sample recipe, but I've seen them made with honey and cinnamon. 3

[GreysonCarlisle]

Originally Posted by Chefguy

I used to drink a "hot brick" when I had a sore throat or a cold. Here is a sample recipe, but I've seen them made with honey and cinnamon.

The butter is interesting. I think I'll try that one tonight. Thanks! 4

[araminty]

I make a mug of strong black tea and throw in lemon, honey and a drop of booze, whatever's handy and sounds good. 5

[pulykamell]

Originally Posted by araminty

I make a mug of strong black tea and throw in lemon, honey and a drop of booze, whatever's handy and sounds good.

I was going to say, I don't know a lot of hot toddy variations, but I base mine on black tea instead of just hot water. I mean, sure you can sex it up with some cinnamon and other Christmas/mulling spices if you'd like, but I just do tea, lemon, honey, whiskey or brandy (I've never done both.) 6

[Aspenglow]

Originally Posted by GreysonCarlisle

The butter is interesting. I think I'll try that one tonight. Thanks!

A good twist on a classic hot buttered rum.

You can make up a batch of this and it will store nicely for a good long while in your refrigerator, available as colds and sore throats require. Substitute preferred liquor as you choose. A squeeze of lemon never hurts. 7

[Smid]

As a Scot, a hot toddy has always been simply a Whisky and hot water. None of the rest of that nonsense. Certainly not putting brandy in there. Sure, if you want to have Brandy and hot water, fill your boots, but don't mix them... 8

[Wrenching Spanners]

Ginger tea and dark rum. Kind of a variation on a Dark & Stormy, but hot and without the carbonation. 9

[GreysonCarlisle]

Originally Posted by Aspenglow

A good twist on a classic hot buttered rum.

You can make up a batch of this and it will store nicely for a good long while in your refrigerator, available as colds and sore throats require. Substitute preferred liquor as you choose. A squeeze of lemon never hurts.

I'll make a small batch of that later on to see if we like it. If so, I'll put some by for next time. Didn't get to try the Hot Brick. Took a nap on the couch and woke up feeling a little hung over, so I figured I'd had enough for one day.

Originally Posted by Smid

As a Scot, a hot toddy has always been simply a Whisky and hot water. None of the rest of that nonsense. Certainly not putting brandy in there. Sure, if you want to have Brandy and hot water, fill your boots, but don't mix them...

The brandy is probably my own addition. It gives me a warm, cozy feeling... if I know I'm drinking some. But hey, I'll take the placebo effect during Difficult Days. 10

[DannyBeans]

It doesn't fit the strict definition of a hot toddy, but my go to when I'm sick is hot apple cider with a splash of orange, a bit of butter, and some rum. 11

[Die Capacitrix]

I had a Rakomelo at a Greek restaurant. Wonderfully yummy for a cold fall evening.

Luckily I have a 1 L bottle of homemade Raki waiting for consumption. Just haven't tried making it myself. Not yet.

Otherwise
Whisky
Honey or Elderberry syrup
Hot water

No tea. Just makes things complicated because I have to wait for it to steep. 12

[Aspenglow]

One of my favorite hot drinks for a cold night, though not necessarily recommended for the treatment of sore throats.

Desperado:

1 shot brandy
1 shot Amaretto
Twist of lemon peel (large)

Blend liquors in a brandy glass. Twist the peel over to release the oils, then drop the peel into the drink. Heat briefly in the microwave -- it will get warm/hot quick. Enjoy, but do be careful breathing the fumes after heating the drink. They are potent! 13

[GreysonCarlisle]

Originally Posted by DannyBeans

It doesn't fit the strict definition of a hot toddy, but my go to when I'm sick is hot apple cider with a splash of orange, a bit of butter, and some rum.

Originally Posted by Aspenglow

One of my favorite hot drinks for a cold night, though not necessarily recommended for the treatment of sore throats.

Desperado:

1 shot brandy
1 shot Amaretto
Twist of lemon peel (large)

Blend liquors in a brandy glass. Twist the peel over to release the oils, then drop the peel into the drink. Heat briefly in the microwave -- it will get warm/hot quick. Enjoy, but do be careful breathing the fumes after heating the drink. They are potent!

I'll make both of those for my girlfriend this winter. She's always looking for a new, hot drink, and she loves cider and amaretto. 14

[GreysonCarlisle]

Originally Posted by Chefguy

I used to drink a "hot brick" when I had a sore throat or a cold. Here is a sample recipe, but I've seen them made with honey and cinnamon.

Originally Posted by Aspenglow

A good twist on a classic hot buttered rum.

You can make up a batch of this and it will store nicely for a good long while in your refrigerator, available as colds and sore throats require. Substitute preferred liquor as you choose. A squeeze of lemon never hurts.

Made a batch of both of these today. And I would like to thank both of you for the impending coronaries soon to be suffered by my girlfriend and me. Man, that's a lotta butter!

But--oh my god!--we agree that those are the two most amazing winter drinks we've ever tried. Thanks! 15