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    You are here: Home » Food and Drink » Classic Hot Toddy With Cognac

    Classic Hot Toddy With Cognac

    January 31, 2019 By Mary 26 Comments

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    Cognac Hot Toddy Pin
    Cognac Hot Toddy Pin
    Cognac Hot Toddy Pin
    Cognac Hot Toddy Pin

    Classic Hot Toddy Recipe made with Cognac for those cold winter nights or a great comforting cocktail. This recipe can also be substituted with brandy, whiskey or bourbon.  

    2 Classic Hot Toddy cocktails in a glass
    Jump to:
    • What is a Hot Toddy
    • What liquor is best for a Hot Toddy?
    • How to Make the Best Hot Toddy Recipe
    • Does a Hot Toddy really work to cure a cold?
    • Recommended supplies for the perfect Hot Toddy
    • More Great Fall and Winter Cocktails
    • Hot Toddy Recipe with Cognac

    It’s that time of the year — cold and flu season. Or just plain cold. And as much as I love me my wine, there are times when only a hot toddy will do. This is especially true when I’m congested to the point where I can’t even smell wine.

    After traveling to the Cognac region of France several years ago I can’t resist making the classic soothing fall and winter cocktail with Cognac. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. It’s incredibly smooth, and so flavorful! But first things first…

    Hot Toddy in glasses with lemon and cinnamon sticks.
    Lemon makes the drink. Grilled lemon makes it epic.

    What is a Hot Toddy

    Hot Toddies are a soothing warm cocktail typically made by combining hot water, honey, lemon, and a spirit such as bourbon, whiskey, or brandy. They are the perfect warm drink to enjoy on a crisp fall or winter night or if you are suffering from a cold, because it soothes the throat, body and soul, helping you to relax and uplift your mood.

    What I’ve discovered through years of making hot toddies is the importance of using a good quality spirit — one you are happy sipping on its own. Just as I would never recommend cooking with a wine you wouldn’t drink on its own, the same advice goes for the quality of spirit you use for this cocktail. This is because you aren’t altering the flavor much, but simply diluting it with hot water, sweetening it with honey, and infusing it with a touch of cinnamon.

    What liquor is best for a Hot Toddy?

    Most commonly you’ll find hot toddies made with:

    • Whiskey
    • Bourbon
    • Brandy

    But my preference is Cognac. If I don’t have any Cognac on hand, I’ll reach for bourbon.

    Pouring Cognac into a glass
    Start with good quality liquor like Cognac.

    How to Make the Best Hot Toddy Recipe

    Making the best hot toddy is simple! Get some water nice and hot. I’m talking near boiling! Once the hot water meets the cognac (or other liquor) and honey it will cool down quickly to a drinkable temperature.

    1. Start by adding Cognac to a glass or mug.
    2. Then add the boiling (or near boiling) water.
    3. Add honey (to your preference, I like to start with one tablespoon).
    4. Finish with a lemon slice and, if you’re a cinnamon fan, add a stick of cinnamon to infuse flavor.
    Hot Toddy with honey drizzle.
    Honey adds a nice soothing flavor.

    Enjoy the heck out of your delicious and comforting classic hot toddy! You’ve earned it.

    Does a Hot Toddy really work to cure a cold?

    Okay, so the truth is there’s no real “cure” for a common cold. So while this may not “cure” your cold, neither will NyQuil. They both work, however, to offer relief to your symptoms, and ease congestion and runny noses. And, while neither will cure your cold 100%, compared to NyQuil, at least Hot Toddies taste good!

    Recommended supplies for the perfect Hot Toddy

    • A good Hot Toddy mug
    • Stainless steel jigger for the perfect measurements

    More Great Fall and Winter Cocktails

    • Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider
    • Mulled Wine
    • Smoky Old Fashioned
    • Pomegranate Ginger Beer Cocktail
    • Apple Cider Mimosas

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the link. We partner with brands we know and love and use and it helps keep the blog going!

    *This post was originally written in October, 2012, and updated in 2019 with new photos.

    Hot Toddy with Cognac

    Hot Toddy Recipe with Cognac

    Recipe for a Classic Hot Toddy made with Cognac. Perfect for a cold fall or winter night or to ease a common cold. 
    4.92 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1 drink
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Mary Cressler | Vindulge
    Cost: $5.00

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz Cognac (whiskey or bourbon work too)
    • ½ cup boiling water
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 slice of lemon
    • 1 small cinnamon stick
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Pour the Cognac into a 6-8 oz mug or glass. Add boiling water and honey and stir until honey is dissolved.
    • Garnish with lemon slice and cinnamon stick. 
    • Sit on your sofa, cover yourself with a Snuggie, read a good book, and let enjoy this delicious soothing drink. 

    Notes

    Note: You can substitute Cognac with Whiskey, Rye, or Bourbon also.
    Find the perfect wine pairing at the Vindulge Wine Shop

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @vindulge or use the hashtag #vindulge

    If you like this recipe we’d truly appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review! And if you share any of your pics on Instagram use the hashtag #vindulge. We LOVE to see it when you cook our recipes. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy Miller says

      January 29, 2023 at 2:15 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! The general name of the spirit is “brandy.” To be called “cognac,” brandy needs to comply with certain legal requirements. The name “cognac” comes from Cognac, France, where the spirit was produced originally.

      Reply
      • Sean Martin says

        January 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

        If you look at the bottle and the recipe we do call out the use of Cognac from the Cognac region of France.

        Reply
    2. Robert Turner says

      December 31, 2019 at 9:17 pm

      I love hot toddy. I make mine with hot tea. A table spoon of cognac 1/2 tea spoon lemon 2 table spoon sugar dab of cinnamon. Watch out now. Mr blt

      Reply
      • Sean Martin says

        January 01, 2020 at 12:17 pm

        Love it!!

        Reply
    3. Avis says

      February 25, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      I’m ailing with a nasty cold so my beloved husband is making me a toddy! Im a lucky lady!

      Reply
      • Sean Martin says

        February 28, 2019 at 6:53 pm

        Winning!!!!! but sad your sick 🙁 Get better soon!

        Reply
    4. Alyssa says

      February 03, 2019 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Ugh drooling. I’ve been making virgin hot toddies since I’m pregnant, but it’s not even close to being as good!!

      Reply
    5. Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says

      February 01, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      There’s something so comforting about hot toddys. I always order one if I have to go out for an event but am feeling on the cusp of a cold. Now that I raise my own bees and am lucky to harvest their honey, I should make them at home, too!

      Reply
    6. Waz says

      February 01, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      Too bad Hot Toddies can’t magically cure the common cold! Wouldn’t that be amazing? As always, your photos are gorgeous. I wanna reach out and grab a Toddy off my screen…

      Reply
    7. R H Sattur says

      December 29, 2018 at 9:40 am

      How would a little variation work? Take a thimble full (about 30 ml) of Cognac, add a bit of pepper powder, honey and lemon juice. Mix well and add hot water to the mix. Throw in a bit of cinnamon and banish that cold and sore throat. Least it will do for you is put you into a nice slumber and you will wake up fresh and raring to go next morning.

      Reply
      • Mary says

        December 29, 2018 at 4:23 pm

        That sounds delish, love the pepper powder idea!!

        Reply
    8. redwhitebaby says

      May 19, 2017 at 1:49 am

      My son’s Russian figure skating coach once told me to partake of a warmed cognac and apple juice toddy before bed for cold/cough/sore throat/flu/whatever….for the “cure.” I did so and it worked. Even if it wasn’t a “cure,” I didn’t care any longer and woke up Jim Dandy compared to the day before. Must have been that apple juice.

      Reply
    9. Erica says

      February 08, 2017 at 11:57 am

      I’m about to try this. I’ve been stopped up since sunday (4 days). Thanks for posting

      Reply
    10. Janvi says

      November 02, 2016 at 7:56 am

      When honey is added to boiling water its flavour changes. .what do h suggest

      Reply
    11. Justaphil says

      February 03, 2016 at 9:08 am

      Things I’ve Learned Whilst Convalescing With a Toddy

      While the myriad ways in which lemons are beneficial to health can not be understated, I’ll attempt it by saying only that they are high in vitamin C, which fights free radicals and boosts our immune system. If you already have fresh lemons at home, skip the slicing and juice that sucker instead: two teaspoons of fresh lemon juice per serving of toddy who’ll not only expedite your body’s healing process but completely transform the flavor profile* of your steaming mug of goodness.

      *I’ve never used a cinnamon stick in a toddy so I can’t recommend using it with the lemon juice.

      Reply
    12. Gordon says

      January 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      well been rotten with the flue / cold for about 3 weeks now so going to have the brandy toddy but no cinnamon sticks 🙁 , so might just have to take a second toddy to make up for it :-))

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 18, 2016 at 4:00 pm

        That sounds like a great idea! Hope you feel better soon! I caught a nasty cold this weekend and it keeps getting worse. I may have to join you in a double hot toddy!

        Reply
    13. Sara says

      January 09, 2016 at 5:28 am

      Delicious.

      Reply
    14. mel says

      November 24, 2014 at 9:51 pm

      I know you posted this forever ago, but thank you! This was exactly the recipe I was looking for to soothe my throat. It’s so yummy, I will drink this all season long!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        November 26, 2014 at 11:37 am

        I’m so happy it helped! It’s still an all time favorite around here… especially this time of year 🙂

        Reply
    15. Tina says

      December 29, 2013 at 4:01 pm

      Tank you!! Sittning here in a rainy Sweden and starten to feel cold this afternoon :(. Just in the middle of prepairing the desserts for newyearseve. This was just what I needed, at least this tasted good 🙂
      Hugs fr.o.m. Sweden

      Reply
      • Mary says

        December 29, 2013 at 4:27 pm

        So glad you like it! It’s definitely a great warm treat on a cold day 🙂

        Reply
    16. Andrew says

      October 15, 2012 at 11:11 am

      If I wasnt feeling so rotten I would rush out and buy the ingredients…

      Reply
      • Mary says

        October 24, 2012 at 9:45 am

        Oh Andrew, you should always have these things on hand… just in case 🙂

        Reply
    17. Masi3v says

      October 05, 2012 at 9:49 pm

      I fear hot beverages. Is there a tepid, or cool version?

      Reply
      • Mary says

        October 24, 2012 at 9:52 am

        No need to fear hot beverages! It’s what soothes the throat. But if you must, you can certainly enjoy it cool. The flavors will still be just as delicious.

        Reply

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    Mary-Cressler-Sept-2015-smI'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, and founder of Vindulge and author of Fire + Wine cookbook.  Thanks for stopping by!

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