There’s a certain kind of quiet that falls on a winter evening, isn’t there? The kind where the wind nips at the windows, and you can feel a tell-tale scratch in your own throat. It was on just such an evening, rummaging through my nearly-bare pantry while nursing the beginnings of a cold, that I desperately wanted the cozy comfort of a classic hot toddy—but without the whiskey. What I concocted that night, steaming mug in hand, became an instant ritual. My kitchen filled with the sweet, spiced scent of honey and cinnamon, and as I took that first soothing sip, I felt a wave of pure, simple comfort. This Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy isn’t just a drink; it’s a hug in a mug, a remedy I’ve come to rely on and adore for its gentle, warming magic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz) of very hot, but not boiling, water
- 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of raw, local honey (if possible)
- 1 generous pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 thin slice of fresh lemon (optional, for garnish)
- 1 small cinnamon stick (optional, for stirring and garnish)
Let’s talk about these ingredients, because quality and order matter here. The honey is the star—don’t just use any processed squeeze bottle. I’ve tried this with both generic honey and a jar of raw, local honey from the farmers’ market, and trust me, the floral, complex notes of the raw honey make a huge difference. It’s also packed with more natural goodness. For the lemon, please, please use a real lemon. That plastic bottle of lemon juice won’t give you the same bright, vibrant zing or the vitamin C punch. As for the cinnamon, a fresh pinch from your jar is perfect, but if you have a cinnamon stick to use as a stirrer, it infuses a lovely, gentle spice as you sip. This one simple upgrade feels so special.(See the next page below to continue…)