Hot Toddy In Monsoons: Easy Recipe And Key Tips For A Rainy Day Drink
During the monsoons, one of the cocktails that is often concocted by mixologists is the hot toddy. This is primarily because, complete with the nuances of spicy, sweet and slightly fruity flavours, this is a drink that can be served warm when the cold winds and damp weather sometimes announce themselves on a rainy day. Traditionally, as its name suggests, a hot toddy is served piping hot, and is brought together by mixing 30 ml good quality whisky with some honey, lemon and hot water.
Also Read: Easy Rainy Day Cocktails You Must Try
The history of this drink can be traced back to its Scottish and Irish roots, where it is said to have been crafted to soften the edge of a premium dram. Over time, the recipe to craft a hot toddy has been honed and refined to include teas, herbs and even spices, leading to the creation of a popular blend known as much for its layered flavours as for the process involved in its blending.
Here’s a simple recipe to craft the hot toddy right at home as the rains continue to pour:
Ingredients:
- 30 ml good quality whisky
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 10 ml fresh lemon juice
- 90 ml hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick, star anise and lemon wheel for garnish
Method:
– Warm a heat proof mug with hot water inside. Set this water aside and to the warmed up mug, add 30 ml good quality whisky, 1 teaspoon honey and 10 ml fresh lemon juice. Top this off with 90 ml of hot water and stir until the honey is integrated into the blend. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise and lemon wheel.
And for the mixology curioso, here are some tips to get the hot toddy recipe just right:
– Choose a whisky with a fruity note and a smooth nuance so the blend acquires a lighter flavour.
– Balance the sour and sweet elements by adding more lime juice, which would undercut some of the pronounced sweetness of the honey.
– Ensure that the water added to the recipe is hot but not boiling. Boiling water tends to dull the flavours of the spices and the whisky notes in the drink.
– Swap the honey with maple syrup or the warm water with freshly brewed herbal tea for crafting a hot toddy variation.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
