24 Jan Hot Toddy
Which rum is best for a Hot Toddy
The best rum for hot toddy recipes is an aged rum as these are less likely to expose possible harsh alcohol vapors in hot temperatures. Oak maturation, with its layers of natural vanillin, integrated spices, lignins and dried fruits rounds out the dark rum for hot toddy purposes. When sipping a hot beverage that is mostly diluted with water, seeking balance requires a richer rum like the Dos Maderas 5+5. It’s a rum that you can sip at any temperature whether neat, over ice or served with hot ingredients. Plus, the spices in the oak aging will complement the entirety from first sip to final one. Lastly, think of a hot toddy simple recipe as a balm to your soul and body. A rum or aged spirit with an extra touch of sweetness to balance the acid elements in a hot toddy recipe is a classic winning strategy.
About Dos Maderas 5+5
Dos Maderas 5+5 is a triple cask aged blended rum that spends five years in the Carribean followed by 5 years in Jerez. The time in Jerez aging is split 60/40 between Williams & Humbert Palo Cortado botas and PX botas. The result is a rich confectionary scented rum with plenty of natural baking spices, vanilla, maple, fig and chocolate notes.
About Dos Maderas 5+5
Dos Maderas 5+5 is a triple cask aged blended rum that spends five years in the Carribean followed by 5 years in Jerez. The time in Jerez aging is split 60/40 between Williams & Humbert Palo Cortado botas and PX botas. The result is a rich confectionary scented rum with plenty of natural baking spices, vanilla, maple, fig and chocolate notes.
Dark Rum hot toddy Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum
- 1 tsp. of honey
- .25 oz. lemon juice or cider vinegar
- 5-6 oz. hot water or tea
- Cinnamon stick
- Lemon peel
- Freshly grated nutmeg, star anise, fresh ginger
Hot Toddy Recipe - Step by step how to prepare a Hot Toddy at home
- Heat up a mug or toddy glass with hot water, then discard.
- Add your rum, honey and lemon and stir to mix in your mug.
- If adding ginger juice, do so now.
- Top with your hot water or tea and lightly stir.
- Express lemon peel and drop in.
- Add your cinnamon stick and any other spices. Caveat: if building with a spice tea like chai, this might be unnecessary.
Origins of the Hot Toddy cocktail
Hot cocktails were here before many cold ones and have never left the conversation. How old is the Hot Toddy? The earliest documentation for this British/Irish favorite occurred in 1786, where the “toddy” or “taddy” was described as a beverage made of spirit with hot water, sugar, and spices. However, the “taddy” term originates from the 1610 Hindi word, which describes a beverage made from fermented palm sap. The British colonization of India brought back this beverage up north where it became a staple in homes, taverns, and punch houses. During these times (15th-17th ce.), spices like nutmeg and cinnamon were introduced to northern countries for punches and hot drinks. Further colonization of the Americas then brought the toddy and these ingredients stateside.
Part of the Hot Toddy’s unique story is its customization and its soothing properties for all manner of personal ailments. In my humble opinion, every home should have an at-home version that speaks to their bodies. The key to making a proper version is to have a basic understanding of temperature, quality ingredients, and proportion. Adding hot liquid to a high ABV spirit can be tricky unless you temper your glass, combine your ingredients beforehand and most importantly, use a quality aged spirit. But also, if using tea, it’s important to know that certain teas brew at higher temperatures and / or for longer periods than others. See tips selection below for more details.
Tips for the perfect Hot Toddy
Tip1: Be sure to brew your tea at the right temperature for best results. Here’s a quick guide:
- White teas: 65-70ºC or 150-155ºF for 1-2 min.
- Green teas: 75-80ºC or 165-175ºF for 1-2 min.
- Oolong teas: 80-85ºC or 175-185ºF for 2-3 min.
- Black teas: 100ºC (boiling) or 210ºF for 2-3 min
- Herbal teas like Chamomile: 100ºC (boiling) or 210ºF for 3-6 min.
Tip 2: Always warm your mug or glass before you build your ingredients. This tempers your vessel and lets your drink stay warm longer.
Tip 3: Use the spoon you add your honey with to stir. When the hot water or tea is added, you won’t waste any honey.
Tip 4: When adding lemon or other citrus element, a little goes a long way versus in a cold drink. Start with a quarter ounce. But also, garnish with a lemon peel for the candied aromatic oils.
Tip 5: Honey is full of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and the better choice over sugar. Agave Nectar is very low on the glycemic index and helpful for those watching sugar levels.
Tip 6: Other anti-inflammatory options include turmeric with a touch of pepper, ginger, ginseng, cardamom, cinnamon and rosemary.
Tips for the perfect Hot Toddy
Tip1: Be sure to brew your tea at the right temperature for best results. Here’s a quick guide:
- White teas: 65-70ºC or 150-155ºF for 1-2 min.
- Green teas: 75-80ºC or 165-175ºF for 1-2 min.
- Oolong teas: 80-85ºC or 175-185ºF for 2-3 min.
- Black teas: 100ºC (boiling) or 210ºF for 2-3 min
- Herbal teas like Chamomile: 100ºC (boiling) or 210ºF for 3-6 min.
Tip 2: Always warm your mug or glass before you build your ingredients. This tempers your vessel and lets your drink stay warm longer.
Tip 3: Use the spoon you add your honey with to stir. When the hot water or tea is added, you won’t waste any honey.
Tip 4: When adding lemon or other citrus element, a little goes a long way versus in a cold drink. Start with a quarter ounce. But also, garnish with a lemon peel for the candied aromatic oils.
Tip 5: Honey is full of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and the better choice over sugar. Agave Nectar is very low on the glycemic index and helpful for those watching sugar levels.
Tip 6: Other anti-inflammatory options include turmeric with a touch of pepper, ginger, ginseng, cardamom, cinnamon and rosemary.
Hot Toddy Variations and types
When you think about it, most other built hot alcoholic drinks are sort of variations on the Hot Toddy. Hot mulled cider? Hot Buttered Rum? These are all part of the family.
Hot Mulled Cider
A Hot Mulled Cider is when you replace your water with hot cider that has been simmering with spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, lemon zest, etc. Usually the honey is not needed.
A Hot Baked Apple Toddy is when you add ¼ of a hot baked apple in your glass (can use a pear too!) and then add the rest of your toddy ingredients.
A Hot Buttered Rum typically omits the citrus element and melts a Tbsp. of butter into your hot beverage making it even more soothing for a cold wintry day or a sore throat.
FAQ
You make hot toddies with hot water, an aged spirit like rum, honey, lemon and spice. See above for details and tips.
Hot Toddy Day is January 11th. Simply build your own and post in on your socials with the #hottoddyday
You certainly can but everyone does that. Try one with rum!
Yes, consider purchasing thermal pots that seal well, the kind that hold coffee and batch everything together so that you can simply pour into your mug and garnish. Label each pot with your specific Toddy.
A Hot Toddy warms your body, relaxes you on the inside, making it an easy stress reliever. For many, it’s ideal right before sleeping. And while it is not technically medicine, it certainly helps with sniffly noses and sore throats if you don’t overdo it.
Making a hot toddy is an easy build. You just need to have all your ingredients at hand and ready. Review the steps above.
A hot toddy can be as simple as spirit, honey, lemon & hot water but you can adjust and tweak this structure in endless ways and retain the same moniker. It can be fun, however, to add modifiers like Hot Apple Toddy, Hot Ginger Toddy or Hot Bitter Chocolate Toddy.
Cocktails with Dos Maderas 5+5
Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.