We continue celebrating the best and most curious events, as we saw in our gastronomic calendar 2023, with Hot Toddy Day. A perfect celebration for this cold month, in which colds and constipation abound. And the fact is that we celebrate every January 11, the Hot Toddy Day. A great drink perfect to combat both the cold and cold symptoms. But it is also an ideal cocktail for any winter celebration. Did you know it?
What is Hot Toddy
Before celebrating its day, let’s get to know this drink in more depth.
The Hot Toddy is a typical drink of the United Kingdom, made from liquor (the most common being rum, brandy or whiskey), and very hot water, or tea, and different spices, and Hot Toddy Day is celebrated every January 11.
The result of this combination is a hot drink that, for centuries, has been used as a natural remedy against colds and flu. But, due to its growing fame, it is becoming more and more common to drink a Hot Toddy simply to warm up on a cold winter afternoon.
It is said that the Hot Toddy was invented by an Irish doctor, named Robert Bentley Todd, who began to prescribe a punch of brandy, cinnamon and sugar as a remedy for colds. However, there is also a second version of the origin of the Hot Toddy, which places it in India.
Be that as it may, what is clear is that this drink has become so popular that it already has its own day in the calendar. Therefore, every January 11 is celebrated as Hot Toddy Day. If you also want to celebrate it, join us to learn more about this drink.
Hot Toddy Day, January 11
Every January 11 is celebrated as Hot Toddy Day. But, not only because of its healing powers, but also because nowadays, it is also an iconic drink for winter celebrations.
You don’t have to be sick to enjoy a nice warm Hot Toddy, if possible, next to the fireplace, and watching the winter cold through the window.
This celebration takes place in English-speaking countries. In the United States, too, it has become a very popular drink since it was first introduced in 1775. When the American soldiers returning from the war took with them this drink, which they drank before the battles to go out to fight with courage.
How to celebrate this day
The best way to celebrate this day is by preparing an authentic Hot Toddy. Enjoy a quiet afternoon, while watching the rain outside, sipping a warm Hot Toddy covered with your favorite blanket. Although it is a drink that has been attributed with healing properties, we don’t have to be sick to enjoy this drink.
Hot Toddy recipe, the UK’s anti-cold drink
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Hot water
- 1/4 Cup Whisky
- Lemon juice (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 2 Slices Ginger
Instructions
- We begin by heating the water. We can do it in a small pot or in the microwave. We put it in a wide glass to be able to mix the ingredients well. Add the honey and sliced ginger. Mix until the honey dissolves.1 Cup Hot water, 1 Tbsp Honey, 2 Slices Ginger
- Add the whiskey and lemon juice. Mix well and serve hot.We can serve the drink with a slice of lemon or even with a cinnamon stick to give it more aroma.1/4 Cup Whisky, Lemon juice
Nutrition
Or, omit the alcohol and replace it with more tea or hot water. This way you will make a Hot Toddy without alcohol. Plus, it will have the same healing power.
If you prefer and feel inspired, you can make your own recipe. There are many versions of this cocktail around the world.
Did you know that there is even a Hot Toddy made with Apple Cider? Or those who add to the recipe one or two teaspoons of butter to make this hot cocktail more unctuous and give it a more ‘chic’ touch.
So feel free to experiment with your Toddy as you like. Even making your own non-alcoholic version. Here are some ideas to prepare it:
Ingredients for Hot Toddy
Another way to celebrate Hot Toddy Day is to make your own version. Let’s see what we need and some ideas.
Water or Tea. This is the base. There are those who make this recipe simply with water, or those who use tea. If you opt for the second option, your hot toddy will have a more distinctive flavor. And, you can choose the tea you like best.
Citrus, such as orange, tangerine, lime, lemon, grapefruit… The two most classic ones are orange and lemon. At least one of these two ingredients cannot be missing in an authentic Hot Toddy. However, there are many more options. You can add the citrus fruit of your choice. Either in slices, or its juice. Even try to combine them as you prefer.
Honey. Honey is also not an option. It is a staple in this drink. For, without honey, we could not call it that. Plus, it’s the main ingredient to help with sore throats.
Spices. Here you can let your imagination run wild. We can add a multitude of spices. One of the most classic is cinnamon. Either in powder or in stick. You can also include star anise, nutmeg, cloves…
Although the classic Toddy includes alcohol, if you prefer, you can omit it.
The liquor. And finally, the alcoholic beverage. Although the classic Toddy is made with liquor, and, in the past, alcohol was closely linked to the treatment of several diseases and ailments, we now know that it is not the reason why we feel better when drinking Hot Toddy. It is the rest of the ingredients that help us to alleviate cold symptoms. Therefore, although it is true that it gives a very rich touch, if you do not like it, or do not drink alcohol, you can always omit it.
But, for those of you who decide to include it, you can opt for Whisky, a classic, brandy, cognac, Bourbon, rum… Or even wine. Although in many recipes, wine accompanies another of the previous liquors, it does not replace it.
And, now that we’ve seen the many options we have to make our own anti-cold cocktail, remember to share yours to celebrate this day in style. Use the hashtag #NationalHotToddyDay and #HotToddyDay to share your best recipe.
And with this we finish celebrating Hot Toddy Day. What did you think? Did you know this curious drink? If you liked it, remember to leave us your comments, ideas, opinions… We love to read you!
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