The hot toddy is the oldest cold-weather drink there is. Warm, slightly sweet, a little bitter from the lemon — it's the drink you want when it's cold outside or when you're not feeling well. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 1 tablespoon honey (good honey — it matters here)
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- 6 oz hot water (just off the boil)
- Lemon slice and cinnamon stick to garnish
- Mug or heat-safe glass
How to Make It
- Add honey to your mug. Pour a small amount of hot water over it and stir until dissolved — about 30 seconds.
- Add the lemon juice and No. 86.
- Top with the remaining hot water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick. Let it steep a minute before drinking.
The Honey
Use real honey, not the squeeze-bear kind. A darker honey — buckwheat or wildflower — adds more depth. Clover honey works but is lighter. The honey is doing most of the sweetness work here, so the quality shows.
Dissolve it in a small amount of hot water first. If you add it to a full mug it won't incorporate properly and you'll get a sweet puddle at the bottom.
Temperature
Hot, not boiling. If your water is boiling, let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring. Boiling water can make the lemon juice taste harsh. Just-off-the-boil is the sweet spot — around 200°F.
Variations
Spiced Hot Toddy: Add 2 whole cloves and a star anise to the mug. Let them steep with the hot water for 2 minutes before drinking.
Ginger Hot Toddy: Add 3 thin slices of fresh ginger with the hot water. Squeeze a little extra lemon over the top.
Apple Hot Toddy: Replace the hot water with hot apple cider. Skip the honey — the cider provides the sweetness. Add a pinch of cinnamon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a hot toddy actually help with a cold?
The lemon provides vitamin C, the honey soothes the throat, and the steam helps with congestion. The alcohol in a traditional toddy has no real medicinal value — which means the non-alcoholic version does everything the original claims to do, without the downsides.
Can I use tea instead of water?
Yes. A lightly brewed black tea or chamomile works well. Chamomile adds a floral note that pairs nicely with the honey. Black tea adds tannins that complement No. 86's oak character.
What's the right ratio?
2 oz spirit to 6 oz liquid is standard. If you want it stronger, go 2.5 oz No. 86. If you want it lighter, cut to 1.5 oz. Adjust the honey and lemon proportionally.
Warm up tonight.
No. 86 makes a hot toddy worth making — even without the whiskey. Same ritual, same warmth.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.