Good for what ails ya'!

This post is especially for my friends living in cold climes! And also for anyone who has a sore throat, or just likes a hot drink with kick in front of a roaring fire. :-)

The "Hot Toddie"!

1 oz. honey

1/2 tbl spoon sugar

2 oz. blended whiskey

1 large lemon wedge

5 whole cloves

In an 8 oz coffee mug, insert lemon, cloves, sugar and whiskey. Stir in piping hot water. Drizzle in honey. Drink hot. Yum!

Variations:

• Hot tea instead of water is better. (but don't use green tea, it's too weak and tastes like crap). Liptons is fine, or a nice English Breakfast Tea is better.


• I prefer fresh squeezed lemon juice (1/2 lemon) over just a wedge dropped in.


• Blended whiskey is good because it is smooth. If you want your alcohol with bite, try it with non-blended.Since the drink originated in Scotland, Scotch whiskey is best. :-)


• Brandy is more subtle


• Spiced Rum (like a Captain Morgan) adds great flavor


• I like to add a cinamon straw which adds a sort of gingerbread style flavor. Very nice!

For those of you, like me, who like the sugar to fully blend try making some sugar syrup.

Sugar Syrup:

1 cup water

2 cups white sugar

bring one cup of water to a boil. Add two cups of white sugar, bringing again to a boil. When the sugar is completely dissolved, cool and store in a bottle in the fridge. It'll last nearly forever, and comes in handy whenever you need a shot of sweetness.

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I have had Hot Toddies in, Germany, Austria, Finland, England, Italy, Mongolia (yes really), China, and the USA. By far the best ever was served to me in Vienna, Austria in a hotel whose name I have very sadly forgotten. It was around the Vienna Opera House area. Someday I'd like to go back there. What a beautiful city!