If the Russians are used to fighting colds with raspberry jam, then the Irish and Scots use the Hot Toddy drink for treatment, which tastes great, warms up perfectly and saturates the body with vitamin C. This tea with whiskey, honey and lemon is the British counterpart to the more popular grog, punch and mulled wine, but it is easier and faster to prepare.
Historical information
The Hot Toddy cocktail was invented in Ireland in the XNUMXth century, and a few decades later the Scots became addicted to this drink. In the cold, damp climates of both countries, whiskey diluted with hot tea was the best warming drink. The ladies also liked Toddy, because it was low-alcohol and fragrant.
Initially, “toddy” was the name of an Indian palm wine with spices, which came to Europe thanks to the British East India Company. In the early Hot Toddy recipes, sailors heated palm wine with spices, honey, and lemon, trying to make something similar to mulled wine, but the taste of the drink was mediocre. Then the Irish thought of replacing Indian wine with hot tea with whiskey, and this is how the modern version of Hot Toddy appeared.
The Scots put forward another version, according to which “Hot Toddy” with whiskey is named after the famous natural spring Todswell in Edinburgh (Tod’s Well).
Composition and proportions:
- whiskey (scotch, bourbon) – 100 ml;
- water (boiling water) – 300 ml;
- tea (brewing) – 1 teaspoon;
- honey – 2 teaspoons;
- lemon – 1 piece;
- cinnamon – 1 stick (optional);
- cloves – 1-2 buds (optional).
If you replace whiskey with Calvados, and instead of lemon take 30-40 ml of apple juice, you get an alternative cocktail – Apple Toddy.
Classic Hot Toddy Recipe
1. Pour boiling water over tea leaves. Stir, cover, leave for 2-3 minutes.
2. Squeeze lemon juice into tea, pour in whiskey, add honey, mix.
3. Strain the drink through a strainer, add cloves and cinnamon if desired.
4. Serve Hot Toddy hot or warm. You can garnish with a slice of lemon.
