Today marks National Hot Toddy Day, and no, I’m not talking about Hot Toddy at the local gay bar. This is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey (or, in some recipes, sugar), herbs (such as tea) and spices, and served hot. To celebrate, some of the best restaurants and mixologists have crafted their own version of what makes a Hot Toddy so great!
Check out their versions and give yourself a try today and throughout the year! Definitely a good excuse to warm up with the bitter cold we’ve been having.
5 Napkin Burger (5napkinburger.com)
It’s that time of year again when all you need is a cup of something warm… and spiked. To all you hot toddy fans, 5 Napkin Burger is helping you stay warm this year with their Hot n’ Buttered Tennessee. This major upgrade of the classic cocktail is made with Jack Daniels Old No. 7, homemade spiced maple butter and organic apple cider. So whether you’re using it to nip that cold in the bud or to just enjoy the fragrant winter-warmer, banish the winter blues with the Hot n’ Buttered Tennessee from 5 Napkin. Cheers!
Barbounia (250 Park Avenue South, NYC, 212-995-0242, www.barbounia.com)
This winter, enjoy your cocktails as hot as the Israeli sun! Head to Barbounia, for their Moroccan Hot Toddy made with Papa’s Pillar 24 year rum, housemade Moroccan Spice Syrup made with the comforting flavors of cinnamon, currants, golden raisins, ginger, honey, fresh lemon juice and mint leaves and garnished with lemon and candied ginger.
TAVO (615 Hudson Street, NYC, 917-675-6454, tavonyc.com)
The Smoky Orchard ($15) from cocktail director Giancarlo Reyes of newly opened Latin-inspired restaurant TAVO is the hot toddy you’ll need to make it through the Winter blues. This crafted cocktail is made with the perfect mixture of Warm Apple Cider, Mezcal, Ginger and Cardamom bitters. Cheers!
Jeremy Oertel’s Hot Toddy!
Orchard Toddy
1 bottle Cinnful Apple
4.5 oz Scotch or Irish Whiskey
2.25 oz Lemon Juice
3 oz Honey Ginger Syrup**
3 oz Water
Method: Add all ingredients to a Crock Pot and set at low heat. Allow to heat up and then serve and garnish with a lemon wheel studded with cloves. If using a stovetop, add all ingredients to a small saucepan and simmer over low heat. Be careful not to allow the mixture to get to hot because the alcohol will boil off.
**Honey Ginger Syrup:
2 cups Honey
1 cup Water
2 tbs Finely Chopped Peeled Ginger
Method: Peel the ginger and then finely chop. Add all ingredients to a pot and cover. Simmer over medium to low heat for 20 min. Strain, allow to cool and store in the refrigerator