Hot Toddy, Anyone?

The confetti is swept away, 2025 has descended, and the cold has settled in for the remainder of these early months of the new year. Wrapping your hands around a steaming brew of something hot seems the perfect way to watch a winter day, feet up in front of the fireplace. We think of coffee, tea and, of course, savory soups. But what about adult beverage options?

Most of the year, in warmer climates, cocktails are preferred chilled and strained, frozen or served over ice. Winter months, however, make us rethink the need for cold anything. That is precisely why the hot toddy has enjoyed a long and successful presence in the classic cocktail category. Scoff at the idea of hot alcohol, but you might rethink your stance when you try one. But before you break out of your box and take your first sip, let’s get to know the drink a little better: where it comes from, what’s in it and how it came to enjoy its popular status.

Think back to before the internet—(scary, we know) before cell phones and even cars or airplanes. Think back to a time when most things were invented to meet a need rather than for simple enjoyment. Like the original story of most cocktails, the hot toddy was a medicinal concoction. And like the story behind most cocktails, there are more than a few anecdotes.

One commonly accepted version of events traces the drink’s origins back to India during the 1600s. At the time, India was a British colony and greatly influenced by all things English, while England enjoyed all the riches that India bore. India was a land lush with spices; the use of spices in the hot toddy makes great sense with this account of history. It is also held that the cocktail was named “hot toddy” as a derivation of the Hindi word “taddy.” Translated, the word refers to a drink made with fermented palm sap. In 1786, taddy became officially defined as an alcoholic beverage made with hot water, sugar and spices.

The British eventually claimed the drink as their own—which explains its presence as a staple in pubs throughout England. During England’s cold and damp winters, pouring hot water into scotch or whiskey became common. Over time, England’s spice trade with India encouraged the use of exotic spices in the mixture, resulting in today's classic cocktail.

Another other version of the origin story begins with an Irish doctor by the name of Robert Bentley Todd—hence the name, “hot toddy.” The good doctor would prescribe patients who were feeling unwell with a mixture of hot brandy, water, cinnamon and sugar. While some contend that Dr. Todd learned the word “taddy” during the time he spent in India, this type of warmed concoction has been used for centuries as a curative.

More than 600 years after its introduction, the hot toddy is still a popular winter drink—especially for entertaining. It’s comforting, warm and easily customizable, making it a great choice for a variety of guests during cold weather, especially when you want to create a cozy evening environment where the conversation flows and everyone is relaxed. Naturally, that relaxation is often a result of the alcoholic nature of a cocktail, but this is one drink that encourages sipping rather than quick consumption. Slow enjoyment allows the warmth to seep into your bones—which is where the real pleasure of the hot toddy comes from.

Another plus is its simplicity. A hot toddy requires only a few basic ingredients—liquor, hot water, honey, and lemon—all of which can be easily mixed in a mug or in a pot on the stove. Customization comes in using different types of liquor and adding spices like cinnamon or cloves and fruit, which gives guests options in creating their own flavor profile should you set up a “hot toddy bar.”

Whether battling a cold, seeking a fireside companion, or simply looking to elevate your winter gatherings, the hot toddy offers a perfect mix of history, flavor and comfort. With its medicinal roots and centuries of evolution, it is more than just a cocktail—it is a ritual, a tradition and a reminder of the warmth we crave during these chilly months. So, as 2025 unfolds and the frost lingers outside, why not try the hot toddy? With its soothing qualities and endless customization possibilities, it is a toast to both the past and the cozy moments still to come. Cheers!