Cold and flu season is here, along with chilly weather — and it’s only going to get worse.
My best remedy is a classic hot toddy, made with lemon, honey and bourbon or whiskey.
This time of year, I love to eat sweet clementines, which are in season, so I thought it would be fun to switch things up.
Buying a big box of clementines in the winter is great for healthy snacking.
They’re so easy to peel, and the slices inside are so succulent and juicy. That sweet and tangy juice is the basis for this winter warmer, replacing the lemon juice.
Add some bourbon, boiling water and a big spoonful of local honey, and you’ve got a satisfying throat soother that will set you up for a good night’s rest.
If you’re feeling under the weather, or if you’re in need of something to warm you right up, I can’t recommend this drink enough.
Also, I’m going to try something new in 2015… A lot of people have told me things like this:
“I have all these liquors on my bar cart, but I don’t know what to make with them.”
“I love gin & tonics, but what else can I make with gin?”
“I really want to invest in a fancy whiskey, but I can’t justify it if I don’t know what to make with it.”
I hear you. I run into all of these problems too. I have tons of bottles in my stash I need to use up. I also get stuck in cocktail ruts. And I really hate buying something to make just one recipe, never to use it again. It ends now.
To make it easier for you to learn more about what you can make with what’s in your liquor cabinet, I’m going to try focusing on one spirit each month. We’ll learn together. January is bourbon, and I’m starting with this Clementine Hot Toddy.
I’ll also tell you about how else you can use bourbon. I’m not going to promise that every cocktail I make for Feast + West will fall into this theme, but I do want you to end a month with several recipes under your belt. So, you better stock up!
If you’ve been wanting to up your home bar game, you’re in the right place.
Download a free copy of The Complete Guide for Building Your Home Bar (only for email subscribers) and we’ll work on building your home bar knowledge every week. Look for more bourbon recipes in the coming weeks, and maybe I’ll even let my email subscribers pick February! (Hint hint.) Oh, and happy new year! // susannah
Click below for the Clementine Hot Toddy Recipe!
Clementine Hot Toddy
This hot toddy is a tangy twist on a classic winter warmer that uses clementines.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounce whiskey or bourbon
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed clementine juice (about 4 clementines)
- 4 ounces boiling water
- Cinnamon stick, optional
Instructions
- In a teacup/mug or old-fashioned glass, combine whiskey, honey and clementine juice.
- Stir in boiling water. If desired, stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
Tailor the hot toddy to your tastes by adding more or less honey and clementine juice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 353Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 151mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 1g
Grace says
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it, and I’m looking forward to all of the upcoming booze months!
Susannah says
Thanks so much, Grace! I think you will just love this cocktail.
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
Oh wow, this sounds brilliant! I love clementines and adding bourbon is a plus.
Susannah says
Never too many hot toddies, LInda! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Love this! I would love to try it this year!
Susannah says
I hope you do, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog.
Shaina Longstreet says
This looks so delicious!! And your photography is so spot on! Glad I found you via #fireworkpeople. Your post reminded me of something my step-mum makes us a lot when we visit called Blueberry Tea. Its a variation of the hot toddy you might want to try: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberry_Tea
Have a great day!
Susannah says
Thank you, Shaina! I am TOTALLY going to have to try this Blueberry Tea. It sounds so unique! Also funny there are no blueberries in it! I bookmarked the recipe because it needs to happen.
Erika Gibson says
I inherited a bunch of semi-obscure liquors when a relative’s restaurant closed… I’ll have to go through your archives and see if there’s anything to be done with them!
Susannah says
Oh, girl, yes! Feel free to send questions any time and I will try to help! That sounds like a way fun problem to have!
Carla (@charliesue) says
OH MAN, *LOVE* this idea! Can’t wait to follow along on these Booze-Ventures! 🙂
Susannah says
Haha! Thanks Carla! They’re definitely going to be fun. Like a book club for booze 😉
Eliza says
This looks like the perfect winter warmer! Bookmarking to make later in the year!
Thanks for contributing to The Sunday Brunch Magazine.
All the best,
Eliza & Bel