The Foodist: Favorite Hot Toddy

The Foodist: Favorite Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy: Orange peel, Lemon Juice, Honey, Brandy, Cardamon, Cinnamon, Hot Water and "I Love You" Mug...

It is winter at Mezzacello and that means it's time to start making winter drinks! The Foodist: Favorite Hot Toddy is like the name suggests, a favorite. #FullDisclosure I love a hot toddy made with tea, and my favorite Toddy Tea is Bigelow's "Constant Comment".

The flavor notes of "Constant Comment" are perfect for pairing with Brandy. Just to be clear, you can make this with Bourbon or Whiskey, but we prefer brandy with the fruit and spice notes and honey. Experiment with your own blends! But the recipe remains the same, fruit, tannins, liquor, honey, lemon, hot water. So without further ado, our recipe for an impressive Hot Toddy!

Ingredients

• 16 oz Hot Water (Boiling!)
• 1 Tbsp of honey
• 1 Tbsp of Lemon Juice (we squeeze 1 lemon)
• 2 cardamon seeds (slightly crushed)
• 1 4cm slice of orange peel
• 1 2cm piece of Cinnamon Bark
• 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
• 3 fl oz brandy
• 1 small tea sieve

Directions

1. Boil water. Prepare the cardamon and cinnamon by mild crush and snipping. A whole 8cm cinnamon bark is excessive, 2 cm is plenty.
2. In a tea sieve combine cardamon seeds (powdered cardamon is a disaster as is cinnamon) and cinnamon with orange peel.
3. Measure out honey, bourbon vanilla, and lemon juice (bulb lemon juice is fine) and pour into a heated cup (take the time to heat that cup!)
4. Pour in a bit of the boiling water and stir to mix honey, lemon and bourbon vanilla.
5. Drop in the sieve and pour over remaining boiling water.
6. Let sit for three minutes and serve.
   • You might think you could serve this immediately, you would be wrong. Like love this builds over time.
7. Enjoy.

Technical Notes

1. In a pinch you can substitute a Bigelow "Constant Comment" tea bag instead of the raw ingredients.
2. It will be Toddy-like, but will lack the depth of this recipe.
3. For the best effect, splurge on Fresh orange peel - at a grocery - and cardamon seeds, and cinnamon bark at World Market.
   • They are cheaper there and they both keep well in a dark cupboard.
   • This blog is NOT sponsored by World Market, they just keep a great assortment of sundry spices.
4. Use the best Brandy and Honey you can afford.
5. Make sure the person you are serving this to knows you love them; It's psychosomatic, but it makes it so much better.