The short answer: this hot toddy recipe stirs 1½ ounces of whiskey, 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice into 4 to 6 ounces of hot water in a warmed mug. Garnish it with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick.
- Key numbers: 1½ ounces whiskey · 1 tablespoon honey · ½ ounce lemon juice · 4 to 6 ounces water at about 180 to 200°F · 1 standard drink
- Top moves: warm the mug first, dissolve the honey before the whiskey goes in, and taste and adjust the honey and lemon
- Free and paid next step: get the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit (3 US Letter pages; we email it to you), or plan the whole party with the Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99).
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Ratios in this hot toddy recipe were checked November 3, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, steps, variations, a party batch, a zero-proof version and responsible serving.
Hot toddy ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | 1½ ounces | Bourbon, rye or Irish whiskey |
| Honey | 1 tablespoon | Or maple syrup |
| Fresh lemon juice | ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) | About ¼ lemon |
| Hot water or tea | 4 to 6 ounces | Just off the boil |
| Lemon wheel | 1 | Stud it with 3 to 4 whole cloves |
| Cinnamon stick | 1 | Optional, for stirring |
Makes 1 drink in a 10- to 12-ounce heatproof mug.
How to make a hot toddy
- Warm the mug. Fill it with hot water for a minute, then pour it out.
- Dissolve the honey. Add the honey and about 2 ounces of the hot water and stir until it melts.
- Add the lemon and whiskey. Stir in the lemon juice and whiskey.
- Top with hot water. Add the rest of the water or tea to taste.
- Garnish. Add the clove-studded lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick, then taste. Add a little more honey or lemon if it needs it.
Hot toddy variations
| Variation | Swap | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon toddy | Bourbon plus maple instead of honey | Round, caramel |
| Rye toddy | Rye whiskey | Spicy, drier |
| Rum toddy | Aged rum plus a pinch of nutmeg | Warm, sweet spice |
| Brandy toddy | Brandy plus orange peel | Fruity, smooth |
| Apple cider toddy | Hot apple cider instead of water, less honey | Fall flavor |
| Tea toddy | Black, chamomile or ginger tea instead of water | Fuller body |
| Ginger toddy | 3 slices of fresh ginger steeped in the water | Bright, spicy |
Hot toddies for a crowd
For 8 drinks, combine ½ cup of honey, ½ cup of fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons) and 5 cups of hot water in a slow cooker on the warm setting with 3 cinnamon sticks and a few lemon slices. Set out a bottle of whiskey, a 1½-ounce jigger and mugs. Guests build their own, and anyone skipping alcohol gets the same warm drink straight from the pot. For more party drinks and bites, see our Christmas cocktails, homemade eggnog, old fashioned and Christmas appetizers.
Zero-proof hot toddy
Skip the whiskey and stir 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ ounce of lemon juice into 6 ounces of hot ginger or black tea. A splash of apple cider adds body. Honey should never be given to babies under 1 year old, so sweeten a little one's warm drink another way or skip it.
Serve hot toddies responsibly
Hot toddies are only for guests 21 and older. Because the drink is warm and sweet, it is easy to forget it holds a full pour. CDC counts 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor as one standard drink, and its guidance on moderate drinking is 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less for women. A hot toddy is not a cold remedy, and alcohol can interact with cold and flu medicines, so check the label or ask a pharmacist. Offer the zero-proof version, serve food and water, and make sure every guest has a safe ride home.
Plan your holiday drinks
Put the whiskey, lemons, honey and cinnamon on the same list as the party food so one trip covers it all.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). Holiday planning pages plus the Meal Planner & Grocery List.
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- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your house toddy with your holiday recipes.
Browse every planner in our printables shop, and use our holiday party planning checklist for the rest of the night. Want a wine-based pot instead of whiskey mugs? Try our mulled wine recipe.
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Frequently asked questions
What is in a hot toddy? A hot toddy is whiskey, honey, fresh lemon juice and hot water, served warm in a mug. Many people add a cinnamon stick or a lemon wheel studded with cloves.
What is the best ratio for a hot toddy recipe? A balanced hot toddy recipe uses 1½ ounces of whiskey, 1 tablespoon of honey, ½ ounce of lemon juice and 4 to 6 ounces of hot water. Add more water for a milder drink or more honey for a sweeter one.
What whiskey is best for a hot toddy? Bourbon makes a sweeter, rounder hot toddy, rye makes a spicier one and Irish whiskey makes a smooth, light one. Use a good everyday bottle, since the honey and lemon soften it.
Can you make a hot toddy with tea? Yes, use hot black tea, chamomile or a ginger tea instead of plain water. Steep the tea for 3 to 4 minutes first, then add the honey, lemon and whiskey.
Does a hot toddy help a cold? No, a hot toddy is not a cold treatment, and alcohol does not cure a cold. The warm honey and lemon may feel soothing, and the zero-proof version gives you that without the alcohol.
Should the water be boiling for a hot toddy? Use water that is just off the boil, around 180 to 200°F, rather than fully boiling. Very hot water can mute the whiskey and make the drink too hot to sip.
Can I make a hot toddy with rum or brandy? Yes, aged rum and brandy both make excellent hot toddies with the same 1½-ounce pour. Dark rum pairs especially well with cinnamon and a little maple syrup.
How do I make hot toddies for a party? Combine the honey, lemon juice and hot water in a slow cooker set to warm, and let guests add 1½ ounces of whiskey to each mug. Keeping the alcohol out of the pot lets everyone choose a zero-proof mug too.
How strong is a hot toddy? A hot toddy made with 1½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey is 1 standard drink by CDC's definition. The hot water dilutes the taste, not the amount of alcohol.
What can I use instead of honey in a hot toddy? Maple syrup, brown sugar syrup or agave all work in place of honey at the same amount. Maple is especially good with bourbon.
How do I plan a hot toddy bar for a holiday party? The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes the Meal Planner & Grocery List, so the whiskey, lemons, honey and cinnamon sticks go on the same list as the party food. Plan about 2 lemons for every 8 drinks.
Where can I save my favorite hot toddy recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe cards, so your preferred whiskey, sweetener and spice stay with your other holiday recipes. It prints at home on US Letter paper.
Sources
- CDC: Standard drink sizes cdc.gov
- CDC: Moderate alcohol use cdc.gov