Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy
This sore throat-soothing Cranberry Hot Toddy is made with my favorite feel-better mix of lemon-ginger tea, honey, lemon, and a splash of bourbon or rye. The cranberry syrup and warm spices make it even more comforting, adding deeper flavor without overpowering the hot toddy.
The Hot Toddy Recipe I Make When I Feel a Cold Coming On
When I have a bad cold or my throat feels sore and scratchy, I like to make myself a warming hot toddy to clear up some of my congestion.
Hot toddies are typically made with just hot water, lemon, fresh ginger, and a splash of whiskey, but for a fun Christmas version, this recipe includes a spiced cranberry orange syrup for even more holiday flavor.
Here’s why you’re going to love this cranberry orange hot toddy:
✔ Throat Soothing Effect: Instead of hot water, my hot toddy recipe is made with lemon ginger tea, which provides a double dose of comforting flavor and helps tame inflammation. (And since it’s an herbal tea, your sleep schedule won’t be disturbed by unwanted caffeine.)
✔ Spiced, Festive Flavor: The cranberry orange syrup brightens up the hot toddy while adding extra warmth and depth of flavor.
✔ Adjustable Sweetness: I always add a spoonful of honey to my hot toddies, both for sweetness and to help my sore throat. You can scale the amount of honey up or down based on your personal preferences.
Happy Sipping!
-Katie
The 4 Main Ingredients
A full list of ingredients with their measurements can be found in the recipe card below, but let’s go over the key items you’ll need to prepare a spiced cranberry hot toddy with tea.
- Whiskey — I prefer using a bourbon or rye from a local distillery. My favorites here in Colorado include Basil Hayden, Breckenridge Bourbon, Four Roses Bourbon, and Laws Whiskey House.
- Cranberry Orange Syrup — You can either make your own cranberry syrup and infuse it with a little orange zest and cinnamon (exact instructions provided in the recipe card below), or you can buy it pre-made at the grocery store.
- Lemon Juice — Freshly squeezed is preferred, but bottled works well too (especially if you don’t have any lemons on hand). For extra cranberry flavor, you can add in a little splash of unsweetened cranberry juice, too!
- Tea — Hot toddies work best with herbal teas, particularly if you’re trying to alleviate the symptoms of a cold or a sore throat. My favorite is the lemon ginger tea from Celestial Seasonings, which gives the hot toddy that classic ginger flavor without actually having to use fresh ginger.
Want it sweeter? Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey into your mug. Honey also helps reduce inflammation and will coat your throat, further soothing any soreness or scratchiness.
How to Make a Cranberry Hot Toddy
- Brew the ginger tea. In my recipe testing, I found it best to brew the herbal tea extra strong so it was flavorful enough to match the whiskey and cranberry syrup. 1 tea bag per 6 ounces of water is my preferred ratio.
- While the tea steeps, combine everything else. Add the whiskey, cranberry orange syrup, lemon juice, and honey to your mug. To prevent the whiskey from tasting sharp or harsh, add it to the mug just before pouring in the tea. If you stir the whiskey into the hot tea, it will lose its smoothness.
- Garnish, if desired. I like to squeeze an orange twist over my mug for added holiday aroma. You could also garnish with a lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, and fresh or sugared cranberries.
- Sip while it’s still warm. You’ll get the maximum throat-soothing effects this way. (Bonus points if you’re drinking this fireside with a good book!)
Katie’s Tip: If my sore throat leads to a nasty cold where I’m coughing a lot, I’ll make a batch of homemade cough syrup as well.
FAQs
Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
Can the whiskey be omitted?
You’re welcome to keep this cranberry hot toddy alcohol-free by omitting the whiskey. You’ll miss out on some of the throat-numbing effect, but your drink will still be very soothing.
Can the cranberry syrup be omitted?
The spiced cranberry orange syrup adds flavor more than anything else, so you’re welcome to omit it to create a classic whiskey tea hot toddy.
Why does my hot toddy taste bland?
If you brewed your lemon ginger tea as the packaging instructed (1 tea bag per 8 ounces water), your hot toddy might taste a little bland or watery. I suggest brewing 1 tea bag in 6 ounces of water so it’s strong enough to hold its own against the whiskey and lemon juice.
What’s the best whiskey to use?
You can use any whiskey you like, but I’ve found bourbon or rye to be the best. Bourbon will be a little sweeter, with vanilla and caramel notes; bourbon will have a stronger, spicier flavor. Both are equally excellent throat soothers, so use your favorite!
More Cranberry Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more fun cranberry drink ideas? Here are a few favorites below, but you can also check out my Cocktail Recipe Index for even more seasonal sips to enjoy this winter.
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Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
This sore throat-soothing cranberry hot toddy is made with my favorite feel-better mix of lemon-ginger tea, honey, lemon, and a splash of bourbon or rye, plus a splash of cranberry syrup for even more flavor.
Ingredients
Hot Toddy
- 1 ½ oz bourbon or rye
- ¾ oz spiced cranberry orange syrup (see note below)*
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 6 oz hot lemon ginger tea
- Optional: 1–2 tsp honey (if you want it a little sweeter)
Optional Garnishes
- Lemon wheel
- Cinnamon stick
- Fresh or sugared cranberries
Instructions
- Start by brewing your tea. Use one tea bag per 6 ounces of hot water and steep for about 5–6 minutes. The tea should be nice and fragrant — this is your warm base, so make it strong enough to stand up to the whiskey and syrup.
- While the tea steeps, grab your favorite mug. Add the bourbon, cranberry syrup, lemon juice, and honey (if using). Katie’s Tip: Add the bourbon just before the hot tea, not directly to boiling water. This keeps the alcohol smooth and aromatic instead of sharp or harsh.
- Once your tea is ready, pour it into the mug. Stir gently until the honey is completely dissolved and the drink smells bright and spicy.
- To garnish, twist a strip of orange peel over the top of the mug — that quick squeeze releases the citrus oils and adds a warm holiday aroma. Add a lemon wheel, cinnamon stick, or even a cranberry for a little color if you like.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. If your syrup is already on the sweet side, skip the honey. If it’s tart, add a teaspoon or two to taste.
- Drink while it’s hot, ideally under a blanket with a good book or by the fire.
Notes
Cranberry orange syrup: Either buy store-bought or make it yourself. If you’ve already prepared the homemade cranberry syrup, just warm up a bit with some orange zest and a cinnamon stick. Simmer for 10 minutes, then strain.
For extra cranberry flavor, feel free to add in a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice, too!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 228Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 6g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy. This provided information is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Try Making a Cranberry Hot Toddy with Tea!
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