Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy
A comforting hot bourbon cocktail infused with honey, lemon, and warming spices, ideal for chilly nights or soothing colds. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together bourbon, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4 oz hot water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 for garnish lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: In a heatproof mug, combine 2 oz bourbon, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp honey.
- Step 2: Pour 4 oz freshly boiled hot water over the mixture and stir until the honey dissolves completely.
- Step 3: Add 1 cinnamon stick and 2 whole cloves to the mug and let steep for 3 minutes to infuse warm spice flavors.
- Step 4: Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves, then garnish with 1 lemon wheel on the rim before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy take to make?
Total time is about 8 minutes (5 min prep + 3 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy?
Refrigerate any leftover warm spiced bourbon hot toddy 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 Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy?
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 Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy 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 Warm Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy?
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.
