Brandy Hot Toddy || Classic Cold Weather Drink
This brandy hot toddy is a cozy classic that comes together in minutes. Lightly spiced and just sweet enough, it’s the perfect drink for warming up on a cold evening.
Looking for more warm drink ideas? Try my Chocolate Coffee Creamer for your morning cup of coffee or my Chai Spiced Cacao next.
Introduction
I first discovered hot toddies while bartending in a small saloon along California’s Avenue of the Giants. The locals loved them, especially when the rain settled in and the evenings grew chilly. Since then, I’ve made more than I can count, and this version with brandy remains my favorite.
The brandy hot toddy is a warm drink with deep roots. Its name traces back to “taddy,” a drink enjoyed in India made with hot water, sugar, and spices. The British adopted the concept and swapped in spirits like whiskey, and later, Americans made it their own using brandy or rum.
Why This Recipe Works?
- Simple, five-ingredient recipe that comes together quickly.
- Flexible flavor combinations that suit your personal tastes.
- Classic warming beverage that feels cozy and nostalgic.
- Easily made for one or scaled up for a group.
- Customizable with endless garnish and tea options.
Ingredients For Brandy Hot Toddy
These basic ingredients make up the foundation of this cold-weather classic.
- Brandy: Choose a smooth, unflavored brandy for a clean flavor.
- Hot Water: Use filtered water for the best taste.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and depth; local honey is a great choice.
- Orange Wedge: Adds a hint of citrus; squeeze it and drop it in.
- Cinnamon Stick: Infuses the drink with subtle spice.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Would you like to save this post for later?
We'll email it to you, so you can come back to it whenever you like!
Variations or Substitutions
- Swap brandy for whiskey or rum.
- Use lemon, grapefruit, or apple slices in place of orange.
- Substitute maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar for the honey.
- Add whole cloves or star anise for extra spice.
- Steep your toddy in black tea, green tea, or herbal tea for more flavor.
How To Make A Brandy Hot Toddy
Gather the ingredients for this recipe.
- Add honey and orange wedge:
Pour honey into a mug. Squeeze an orange wedge into the mug and then drop the squeezed wedge in too.
- Pour in hot water:
Fill the mug with hot water and stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Add brandy:
Pour the brandy into the cup. Stir it well with a cinnamon stick. Drop the cinnamon stick into the cup and allow the beverage to steep for a few minutes.
- Taste and adjust:
Sample the drink and adjust sweetness or spice to taste.
- Scale for a group (optional):
To make a larger batch, prepare the beverage without the brandy and keep it warm in a crockpot. Add the brandy to each cup as it is served.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Herbal, black, or green tea all work beautifully in place of hot water.
Absolutely. Just multiply the ingredients and warm them in a crockpot adding in the brandy as each cup is served.
Yes. Just skip the brandy and enjoy it as a spiced citrus tea.
A thick-walled mug or heat-safe glass works best for serving.
Serve
Serve this brandy hot toddy in a warm mug garnished with a cinnamon stick and a slice of citrus. It’s perfect for a quiet night by the fire, or for sharing with friends at a winter gathering. Pair with shortbread cookies or a slice of spice cake for an extra treat.
Expert Tips
- Add brandy just before serving: Stir in the brandy last to help preserve its delicate aroma.
- Use quality water: Choose filtered or spring water to avoid any off-flavors from chlorinated tap water.
- Steep citrus lightly: If you’re sensitive to bitterness, don’t let the orange steep too long in the mug.
- Customize your citrus: Swap the orange wedge for lemon if you prefer a brighter, more traditional hot toddy flavor.
- Serve while hot: Enjoy immediately for the best comforting and soothing experience.
Brandy Hot Toddy
Equipment
- Coffee mug
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 tbls honey
- 1 orange wedge
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add honey: Spoon the honey into a coffee cup to create the sweet base.
- Squeeze orange: Squeeze the juice from the orange wedge into the mug and drop the wedge in for added flavor.
- Pour water: Carefully pour hot water over the honey and orange, filling the mug.
- Stir to melt: Stir the mixture until the honey fully dissolves into the hot water.
- Add brandy: Pour in the brandy and stir gently to combine.
- Drop in cinnamon stick: Add a whole cinnamon stick for warm spice.
- Steep: Let the drink steep for 3–5 minutes so the flavors can infuse before sipping.
Video
Notes
-
- Add brandy just before serving: Stir in the brandy last to help preserve its delicate aroma.
- Use quality water: Choose filtered or spring water to avoid any off-flavors from chlorinated tap water.
- Steep citrus lightly: If you’re sensitive to bitterness, don’t let the orange steep too long in the mug.
- Customize your citrus: Swap the orange wedge for lemon if you prefer a brighter, more traditional hot toddy flavor.
- Serve while hot: Enjoy immediately for the best comforting and soothing experience.
I hope you enjoy this cozy brandy hot toddy — it’s the perfect drink to warm you up on a chilly evening! If you try the recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out — please leave a review and let me know your thoughts! If you have any questions or need any tips while making it, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m always happy to help and can’t wait to hear how your hot toddy turns out!