Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

This warming hot toddy blends whiskey with honey, lemon, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and clove for a soothing drink perfect for chilly nights. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together whiskey, hot water, honey for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Serves 1 General cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pour 2 oz whiskey and 1 tbsp honey into a pre-warmed mug, stirring gently until the honey dissolves completely.
  2. Step 2: Add 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice and 5 oz hot water (around 160°F) to the mug, stirring to combine.
  3. Step 3: Drop 1 cinnamon stick and 3 whole cloves into the mug and let steep for 3 minutes to infuse warm spice notes.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with a lemon wheel floating on top and serve immediately to enjoy the comforting aroma and flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove?

Refrigerate any leftover cinnamon-spiced hot toddy with honey and clove in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Toddy with Honey and Clove?

General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.