Tis the season to be jolly. But tis also the season for the sniffles! That’s where this recipe comes in!
I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out that Hot Toddy, much like our Christmas Punch, also has its roots in India! After all, Kerala is littered with a hundred inconspicuous shops with large toddy signs beside them! However, there’s a huge difference between that toddy and this one! The origins of the drink date back to 1610 in British ruled India. Colonialists will be colonialists so the British laid claim to the Indian taddy, eventually turning it into the quintessential holiday drink it is today.
Grab your favourite bottle of whiskey and let’s get started!
Equipment
As far as equipment goes, this recipe is probably the easiest! All you need is a good strong pot for the syrup like the Wonderchef Everest Aluminium Non-Stick Sauce Pan. It comes with a lid and is in the most gorgeous shade of purple! One thing you should have though is the Bormioli Water Bottle 500ml. This syrup is so good that you’re going to want to make a big batch of it during the holidays. Just double the recipe and store the syrup in this airtight bottle in the fridge. It should last well over a month!
Wonderchef has been giving us great appliances for a while now but they’ve also got a massive Home and Living collection as well. The Modena Collection and Rosa Collection have some amazing glassware that you’ll love. This time of year it’s all about entertaining and these Rosa Whiskey Tumblers or Modena Whiskey Glasses would make your hot toddy all the more special!
Does it really help with a cold?
Hot toddies have been touted as great for colds and coughs however the sad truth is that the alcohol in it can actually do more harm than good. Alcohol can worsen your symptoms and it can interfere with any medication you might be taking. The one thing that’s known to help though is honey. Honey has antimicrobial properties which can help in soothing a cough. That’s why I love this recipe because if you’re actually feeling sick, you can simply use the syrup with hot water and if you’re not sick, then you can add a shot of whiskey for a hot toddy!
Honey Ginger Syrup
Hot toddies are fairly easy to make. Some people just add whiskey, honey, lemon and hot water to a glass and call it a day. I like to make the effort of making this syrup. Not only do you get a better depth of flavour thanks to the infusion of spices, you also have a fantastic syrup to use on the rest of your holiday treats! This syrup is particularly great with pancakes and waffles. Thanks to my Wonderchef Belgian Waffle Maker, my new favourite combination is Belgian waffles and this honey ginger syrup! Drizzle it over ice cream, make a festive lemonade or use it in your favourite cocktail. It’s also great for a non-alcoholic hot toddy!
RECIPE CARD
Serves: 1
Time: 5 minutes
For the Honey Ginger Syrup
- 28g Fresh Ginger Root (Approx. 4 inch piece)
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 cup Honey
- Orange Peel
- 1 Cup Water
For the Hot Toddy
- 1 oz Ginger Syrup
- 1 oz Whiskey
- ½ tsp Lemon juice
- Hot Water
Method:
For the Honey Ginger Syrup:
- Peel and roughly chop the ginger.
- Add all the ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil on high heat.
- Once it begins to boil, bring the heat down to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Take it off the heat, cover and let it infuse for 2 hours.
- Strain the syrup and store.
For the Hot Toddy
- Add the honey ginger syrup and whiskey to a glass.
- Top with hot water.
- Squeeze a little bit of lemon over and Enjoy!
Author: Sneha Sundar is the creator of You Dim Sum, You Lose Some; a philosophy she adopts both in and out of the kitchen.
No Comments