Hot Toddies Warm Up Cold Nights
‘Tis the season for snowflakes, long shopping trips, and hot drinks to warm you up on cold nights; whether alcohol is involved or not, the cold of winter is the best time to enjoy hot drinks.
One cocktail I am frequently asked about is the hot toddy. I always laugh because to me a hot toddy is different than the textbook definition toddy. I blame my mom.
Growing up our family was full of tea drinking. I would get home from school, and my mom would get tea and snacks ready for afternoon tea. I suspect hers was occasionally more than tea because from time to time I was not allowed a sip from her cup. As I got older, I was permitted to partake in my mother’s delectable blend of English tea, brandy, and a lump of sugar.
As my taste buds have developed, I have come to love the same combination only upgrading from brandy to cognac. However, my version of a hot toddy is not the norm. Tell someone you make a toddy with French Cognac instead of American Bourbon, and they will most likely balk at the idea. The commonly accepted recipe for a toddy is actually much simpler than my mother’s skewed version.
There are several different versions of toddies, and no one is better than the other. Play around with different combinations or spirits and warm ingredients. Whatever the combination, it will most likely inspire you to sit back, sip, and enjoy the winter’s night.
