Hot Toddy with Tea and Honey Recipe (Best Cold Remedy)

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Last Updated on October 12, 2021 by Anne-Marie

A hot toddy with tea recipe. This hot toddy for a cold is made with honey, citrus, ginger, and spices.

Glass mug of hot toddy with orange peels, star anise and cloves with a jar of honey and spices.

Why this recipe works

Try this hot toddy with tea and honey recipe. Combine it with your favorite liquor – rum, bourbon, or brandy.

This tea, lemon and honey combination is a tasty way to warm up on cold winter nights.

It makes the best homemade cold remedy, too.

Glass mugs of hot toddy with tea and orange peels, star anise and cloves with a jar of honey.

How to make a hot toddy with tea

Follow these easy steps:

1. Place the tea bag in a mug. Pour hot water over and let steep until strong. Remove the tea bag from the mug.

(You can also microwave a mug of water in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Then add the tea bag.)

2. Add the liquor, lemon juice, and honey. Stir to dissolve the honey.

3. Garnish the hot toddy tea with the cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, orange peel, and ginger slices.

4. Sip and enjoy!

Closeup of a glass mug of hot toddy cocktail with orange peel and star anise.

Recipe variations

Best teas

Here are some of the teas you can use:

  • herbal tea like chamomile tea
  • decaffeinated sleepy time tea
  • cold remedy wellness tea
  • caffeinated tea like English breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, or other black tea
  • ginger tea
  • green tea
  • loose leaf tea with a tea ball
  • premade sweet tea (heat up in the microwave and serve without the honey)

Wondering if that old tea in your pantry is still OK? Read: Does tea go bad?

Overhead view of mugs of hot toddy with tea, spices, cinnamon sticks, spoon, and a glass jar of honey.

Liquors

Make this drink with or without alcohol. But if you choose to raid the liquor cabinet, here are some ideas:

  • dark rum
  • bourbon whiskey
  • Irish whiskey
  • brandy
  • vodka
  • amaretto
  • Grand Marnier
  • tequila
  • scotch
  • Jack Daniels

Other flavors and garnishes

● Instead of local honey, use real maple syrup.

● Use a lemon slice, lemon wheel, or thin orange slices for extra flavor.

● Don’t want to measure out the lemon juice? A squeeze of lemon is OK.

● Add some apple cider to this classic hot cocktail.

A glass mug of hot toddy with tea with orange peel, spoon, cinnamon stick, and spices.

Are hot toddies good for a cold?

Some people feel that sipping a classic hot toddy helps when they have cold symptoms.

This hot toddy recipe doesn't have any magic healing powers. Instead, the hot tea is a bit like chicken soup. It helps replace fluids and the warmth makes you feel better.

Honey may help soothe a sore throat or a bad cough. And lemon has vitamin C.

Plus, its alcohol content or using a herbal tea like chamomile may help with sleep.

(Be careful mixing OTC cold relief products with alcohol.)

Also, I’m not a medical professional. Please use this medical advice at your discretion.

Glass mugs of hot tea and whiskey with honey, orange peel, star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and a glass jar of honey.

Love tea recipes?

Check out the best ice tea and hot tea drinks:

● Healthy Iced Tea Berry Smoothie Recipe

● Fruit Iced Tea Recipe

● Spice Autumn Tea

● Iced Tea Sangria Recipe

Yield: 1 SERVING

Hot Toddy with Tea and Honey Recipe

Closeup of a glass mug of hot toddy cocktail with orange peel and star anise.

A hot toddy with tea recipe. This hot toddy for a cold is made with honey, citrus, ginger, and spices.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • Hot water
  • 1 black tea bag
  • 1 1/2 ounces​ rum, bourbon, or brandy
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 whole cloves
  • orange peel
  • ginger slices

Instructions

  1. Place the tea bag in a mug. Pour hot water over and let steep until sufficiently strong. Remove the tea bag from the mug.
  2. Add the liquor, lemon juice, and honey. Stir to dissolve honey.
  3. Garnish with cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, orange peel, and ginger slices.
  4. Sip and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 21mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 3gSugar: 36gProtein: 1g

Nutritional information is automatically calculated per the ingredients list. Serving size may not be accurate. Please double-check with your preferred nutritional app for the most accurate information.

© Anne-Marie Nichols
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails, Wine & Beer

29 thoughts on “Hot Toddy with Tea and Honey Recipe (Best Cold Remedy)”

  2. Karen

    I love hot tea and honey in the winter even when I don’t have a cold. Where did you find the star anise? I haven’t ever seen that used in a recipe. Oh, and I agree about buying spices and herbs in the hispanic section. I’ve been buying some of from there for years.

    Reply ↓
  26. Cookin Canuck

    I haven’t seen these honey products before, but I’ll definitely be looking for them now. I just want to wrap my hands around that hot toddy and sip away at it in front of a roaring fire.

    Reply ↓

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