Hot Toddy: The monsoon is here knocking on our doors. Along with the beautiful and sometimes unpredictable weather, it brings with it a whole host of ailments and diseases. In these COVID times, it is essential to take the utmost care of our immunity to ensure our safety alongside that of our loved ones. Here are a few fun ways to boost your immunity whilst enjoying your favourite tipple.
Hot Toddy: What is it?
It is one of those rare warm cocktails. It is prepared using citrus, honey, whisky and warm water, often spiked with other citruses and spices. Hot toddy is soothing on the throat and perfect for rainy weather and cold days. Whisky can also be substituted with your favourite brandy or cognac or rum. The essential oils from the spices, along with the honey and citrus (Vitamin C) work wonders for your immunity, acting as boosters for your bodies natural defence mechanisms against ailments.
Let us begin with a few interesting facts regarding hot toddy. Several people believe that hot toddy was invented in the 18th century for disguising raw scotch. The taste of scotch was unpleasant for most people. So in order to improve the taste of scotch, dates, saffron, mace, cinnamon, and even nuts were added into it.
On the other hands, an interesting origin story of hot toddy revolved around a famous physician, Robert Bentley Todd. It is believed that Robert used to give a prescription of white cinnamon, sugar syrup, water, and brandy called as hot toddy. Another set of alcohol enthusiasts claim that the name hot toddy was borrowed from the toddy drink in our country.
Have you ever wondered how the famous Indian toddy drink is prepared. It is actually produced fermenting palm tree’s sap. It is also rumoured that the term ‘hot toddy’ may have been introduced by an East Indian Company member into Scotland. Another fascinating fact about the drink is that it has a strong reputation of being a remedy for both flu and cold.
Here are three of our favorite immunity boosting hot toddy recipes.
Tumeric Spice Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 25 ml Honey Haldi Syrup
- 2 Lemon Wedges
- 150 ml Spiced Hot Water
- 60 ml Whisky
- Tulsi/Holy Basil for Garnish
Recipe by Nitin Tewari, the trend setter Indian mixologist. Here is an in-depth video tutorial on how to build this fantastic signature toddy by Mr.Bartender.
Ginger Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 60 ml Whisky
- 2 tsp Honey
- 1 inch sliver of Ginger
- 20 ml Lemon Juice
- 1 Cinnamon Stick for garnish
Method
- Slice the ginger into thin slices.
- Boil 250 ml water.
- Put honey and ginger in the water, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Fine sieve it
- Combine the honey ginger water, whisky and lemon juice together.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick
Turmeric Orange Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 60 ml Whisky
- 2 tsp Honey
- 3 Slices Orange
- 10 ml Lemon Juice
- 250 ml Water
- 1 tbsp freshly grated turmeric or 1 tsp powdered turmeric
- 1 Orange Peel or 1 Cinnamon Stick to garnish
Method
- Boil 250 ml water.
- Put honey, turmeric and orange slices in the water, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Fine sieve the flavoured water
- Combine the honey, turmeric, and orange water, whisky and lemon juice together.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a twist of orange peel
Here’s to keeping safe and slightly tipsy this monsoon season. You now have a new excuse (like we ever needed one!) to crack open that bottle of your favorite spirit. These three simple but delicious drinks can be easily and quickly prepared at your home. So, make sure to give them a try.
Find some more fun immunity boosting cocktails HERE
