How to Make a Healthy Hot Toddy | 3 Hot Toddies To Try

A hot toddy can heal. You’ll want to cuddle up with one of these mugs – which are variations on the historic recipe.

There’s a hot toddy for whatever ails you:

• Too many sweets or indulgence
• A nasty cold
• Stress

I’ve been (happily) experimenting with hot toddies this season. History suggests hot toddies were indeed served to help heal what ailed my grandparents. I’ve found there may in fact be some science behind this mad cocktailing. Here’s what I’ve been stirring and sipping:

1. Apple Ginger Pomegranate Hot Toddy >> For tummy troubles: 

• Ginger – Traditionally used to soothe the stomach and even to fight colds (see below,) the warming properties of ginger may help a multitude of tummy troubles.
• Apple cider – It tastes great with ginger and is easy on the tummy.
• Pomegranate – The seeds look pretty and contain antioxidants to help heal.

2. Orange Turmeric Hot Toddy >> To help cure a cold

• Turmeric – With powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this root (see photo) can help boost the immune system. Apparently in India, people drink turmeric tea to help relieve colds and respiratory problems. (Also try Deanna’s Turmeric Eggnog.)
• Oranges – Lots of vitamin C, of course.
• Honey – This old-school cure for a sore throat really works. It’s the cure that gets used most in my house – way more often than sugary cough drops.

3. Cinnamon Lemon Chamomile Hot Toddy >> To de-stress

• Chamomile tea – It’s great for helping to calm before sleeping.
• Lemon – Inhaling the aroma of cut lemons always calms me. Some researchers agree. One study found that sniffing citrus – specifically yuzu – helped calm Japanese women. Hey, if you live in California or Florida, you may even be able to find this stress-relieving citrus.
• Cinnamon – It just tastes great with lemon. And it reminds me of my grandma’s baking; she was the best stress reliever ever.

Now a word about the booze. Whiskey or bourbon are the norm. But I tend to like gin for its herbal aromas – especially for curative toddies. However, these hot toddies are not just for sick days. So feel free to experiment with your favorite spirits. But… you may want to skip the alcohol in your toddy of Cinnamon Lemon Chamomile if drinking before bed; while alcohol can help with immediate sleep, it can also for restless sleep during the night.  Cuddle up with a hot toddy: How to Make a Healthy Hot Toddy + 3 Hot Toddy Recipes via @TspCurry Click To Tweet

How to Make a Healthy Hot Toddy | 3 Toddies to Try

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• Author: by Serena Ball, RD
• Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

A hot toddy will heal whatever ails you. You’ll want to cuddle up with one of these mugs – which are variations on the historic recipe.

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Ingredients

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• Apple Ginger Pomegranate Hot Toddy
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger
• 1.5 ounces bourbon
• 3 ounces apple cider
• 1–2 teaspoons honey
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds
• Garnish: 2 slices apple
• Turmeric Orange Hot Toddy
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh turmeric or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1.5 ounces gin or bourbon
• 1–2 teaspoons honey
• 3 slices of fresh mandarin oranges, such as Halos
• Cinnamon Lemon Chamomile Hot Toddy
• 1 bag of chamomile tea
• 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1–2 teaspoon honey
• 2 slices or lemon
• 1.5 ounces gin or bourbon (optional)

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Instructions

For Apple Pomegranate Hot Toddy:

1. Add ginger to a mug. Pour in 6 ounces boiling water and steep for 3-4 minutes. Add bourbon, apple cider, honey, pomegranate seeds to a mug. Stir. Garnish with apple slices.

For Turmeric Orange Hot Toddy:

1. Add turmeric to a mug. Pour in 6 ounces boiling water and steep for 3-4 minutes. Add gin, honey and twist in, squeezing juice of mandarins; stir. Garnish with 1 mandarin slice.

For Cinnamon Lemon Chamomile Hot Toddy:

1. Steep chamomile tea and cinnamon stick in boiling water for three minutes; remove tea bag. Add honey, 1 slice lemon and if desired, gin or bourbon. Garnish with lemon slice.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 mug

What’s your favorite restorative drink? Have you ever made a hot toddy?