When you come in from the frigid temperatures we’ve been experiencing, mixing up an ice cold cocktail might not seem the best way to end the day. What you really want is something warm.
Tammy Coxen of Tammy’s Tastings says that’s why we have the hot toddy.
“The hot toddy is one of those recipes that really adapts to whatever you have around,” Coxen explained.
You can use any spirit you like, although a whiskey or an aged spirit is traditional. The next ingredient should be something like hot water or hot tea. Then add some sort of sweetener and some sort of citrus.
Be as creative as you like!
Tammy’s “Michigan Hot Toddy” uses Long Road Distiller’s Wheat Whisky. She adds a bit of lemon juice, a Michigan maple syrup as the sweetener, and instead of hot water or tea, a Michigan apple cider goes into the mix.
“The wheat whiskey, while I love it, is very lean. It doesn’t have that sweetness that a bourbon has. It’s a much drier flavor,” Coxen said.
She decided the drink needed some extra flavor sweetness, and that’s why she chose the apple cider.
Long Road prefers to drop the "e" when it spells whiskey. Whisky is generally used by distillers in Scotland, England, Canada, and Japan. Whiskey is used in Ireland and the U.S.
This is a warm drink, but you don’t have to heat all of the ingredients. Warming the apple cider in the microwave or on the stove is enough to bring up the temperature of the rest of the ingredients.
“This is one of the easiest drinks to make. This is what we call ‘building a drink.’ That’s where you just put the ingredients in your glass and then you’re ready to go and drink it,” Coxen noted.
Coxen chose to build her drink in a snifter because she could warm up her hands while holding the drink. She says you could simply use one of your favorite mugs if you prefer.
Michigan Hot Toddy
4 oz apple cider
1-1/2 oz whiskey (we used Long Road Wheat Whisky)
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Heat apple cider in microwave or on stove. Add remaining ingredients, stir.
