When it comes to winter warming (which it seems like pretty much everyone needs right now!), nothing really beats a Hot Toddy. That hot beverage with a little alcoholic kick that warms from the inside out.

Our pal Greg at How to Drink recently mixed up a hot toddy in three different ways, and they looked too tasty not to share.

As I'm sure you'll notice if you watch the How to Drink episode, this is a cocktail recipe that lends itself to infinite variations. You can use whiskey, Scotch, rum (even mezcal!). You can also use any citrus variety, and any type of sugar. Experiment with the spices! And adjust the proportions until it's exactly as you like it. 

Try out one (or two, or three!) of the variations below and then move on to making your own delicious riffs from there. How you toddy is up to you!

Commenters' Toddy

.5 oz lemon juice
1 oz honey syrup
1.5 oz Compass Box Great King's Street Artist Blend Scotch
Cinnamon stick, lemon wheel with cloves, star anise
Hot water
Fresh nutmeg

Method
Add first three ingredients to a mug or heat-proof glass.  Then add whichever of the cinnamon stick, lemon wheel with cloves, and/or star anise that you have.  Pour some hot water on top and grate a little fresh nutmeg over it.

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Tea Toddy

.5 oz lemon juice
1 oz honey syrup
1.5 oz Compass Box Great King's Street Artist Blend Scotch
Cinnamon, nutmeg
Freshly brewed hot tea - black is classic, but try a variation if you like!
Lemon studded with cloves
Cinnamon stick

Method
Stir lemon juice, honey syrup, and Scotch into a mug or heat-proof glass. Sprinkle cinnamon and grate nutmeg on top. Top off with freshly brewed hot tea.  Garnish with lemon studded with cloves and/or a cinnamon stick.

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Morgenthaler Toddy

Few bar spoons of St Elizabeth Allspice Dram
.75 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. Ginger Syrup (recipe below)
1.5 oz. Old Granddad Bottled in Bond (or another bourbon)
Hot water
Orange peel

Make a bain marie by adding hot water to a large tin and floating a smaller tin inside. In bain marie add the Allspice Dram, lemon juice, ginger syrup, and bourbon. Stir to heat all ingredients up.  Prepare your glass by pouring hot water into it, then discarding it. Transfer ingredients from the bain marie to your glass.  Top off with a little hot water. Garnish with an orange peel.

San Francisco Method Ginger Syrup: boil equal parts water and equal parts sugar.  Pour over an equal amount of ginger root. Blend until smooth.

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Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: Tom Collins History & How to Make

Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: Three perfect whiskey cocktails

Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: Three Perfect Whiskey Cocktails

Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: rdr 2

Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: rdr 2

Ingredients

Recipe from How to Drink episode: I made a flaming bag of gasoline

Ingredients

Method

In a shaker add lime juice, simple syrup, Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, Fortaleza Blanco. Add crushed ice to the shaker. Shake (not too crazy) and pour into an open glass. For the fire boat, soak croutons in Lemon Hart 151. Float lime half in drink, place crouton on top of lime half. Safely light on fire, add cinnamon. Blow out before drinking.

Shop Spirits: The How to Drink Collection

Very much a flip flops and Jimmy Buffett kind of drink - in a good way. 

Recipe from How to Drink episode: Best Rum Drinks I've Ever Had

Ingredients

Method

In a shaker add all the rums, curaçao, lime juice, orgeat and simple syrup (optional). Add ice and shake. Half open pour into a mai tai glass. Garnish with a lime and sprig of mint.

Shop Recipes: The Mai Tai Recipe
Shop Spirits: The How to Drink Collection

Recipe from How to Drink episode: A Bat, a Clown, a Drink  

Ingredients:

 Garnish: Cucumber wheel and baby's breath

Method:

Muddle cucumber in a shaker. Add in the rest of the drink ingredients. Shake with ice. Double strain into a coupe. Garnish with a wheel of cucumber and a sprig of baby’s breath.