Hot Toddy

By dinachapman

The Hot Toddy was originally the name for any alcoholic drink served hot. It evolved to become synonymous with a combination of water, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon and brandy or bourbon. The following recipe puts a new spin on the traditional drink that adds a bit more flavor and depth while maintaining its incredible soothing qualities. It's ideally suited for sore throats, chest colds and extended viewings of Olympic figure skating. After a few of these, it may actually be possible to understand the scoring process

Ingredients

• 1 oz. brandy or bourbon (a sweeter bourbon, such as Four Roses or Blanton, seems to work best)
• ½ oz. Harlequin orange liqueur (Triple Sec works as a substitute as well)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ lemon
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cinnamon stick

Preparation

Step 1

Coat the bottom of a mug with the honey and add the bourbon/brandy, orange liqueur, juice of the lemon and the cinnamon stick. Heat the water to just short of boiling and add to the mug. Sprinkle the lemon zest on top and stir gently with the cinnamon stick until the honey dissolves