Published: · Modified: by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments
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This Orange Hot Toddy with Tea recipe is made with bourbon whiskey, black tea, and an orange-honey simple syrup. A citrusy twist on the warm classic co*cktail you'll love!
For cold winter nights, there's nothing quite as comforting as a hot toddy. Known for its soothing properties for cold symptoms, this variation on the traditional hot toddy is a great drink to add to your co*cktail repertoire. Grab your favorite mug and make a hot toddy!
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- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredients and substitutions
- Step-by-step instructions
- Helpful tips
- FAQs
- More whiskey co*cktails
- 📖 Recipe
Why you'll love this recipe
- Simple ingredients
- Twist on the classic hot co*cktail
- Great option for colder months
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Fresh oranges or orange juice- Use one type of orange or assorted oranges to juice. I like using a combination of Navel, Caracara, or blood oranges. If using fresh oranges, about 2 medium oranges will yield ½ cup of orange juice.
Lemon- Fresh lemon juice adds additionalvitamin Cand extra flavor to the simple syrup.
Honey- A classic hot toddy recipe is sweetened with honey. For this orange hot toddy, we are making a citrus-infused honey simple syrup. Choose raw honey for the mostnutritional benefits. Even better, local honey if you have it!
Ingredient tip: Types of honey that go great with this hot toddy are clover honey for its mild, sweet flavor or orange blossom honey for its slight citrusy flavor. For a vegan option, use organic cane sugar or maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
Bourbon- Bourbon whiskey is used in this recipe, but any kind of whiskey will work. If you are sensitive to wheat-based whiskey, Hudson Corn Whiskey is made with 100% corn.
From Scotch whisky to rye to Irish whiskey, this hot drink is easily customizable. Use your favorite! Alternatively, different spirits like dark rum or spiced rum make good substitutes.
Black tea- Instead of using traditional hot water and spices, black tea is used in its place. Irish breakfast tea and English breakfast tea are both good options.
Irish breakfast is a more robust black tea than English breakfast. Customize this drink with other hot tea varieties such as Earl Grey or herbal teas like chamomile or ginger tea.
Cinnamon stick (optional)- While optional, a cinnamon stick is used as a garnish, and a stirrer, and adds subtle warm spice. Warming spices enhance drinks like thiscardamom old fashionedand thiscinnamon rosemary old fashioned.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: If using fresh oranges, juice them before beginning the syrup.
Orange syrup
Step 1:In a small saucepan, bring honey and water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the honey has dissolved. Add the orange and lemon juices. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 2:Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool completely.Strain with a fine-mesh strainer.
Orange Hot Toddy
Step 3:Add 6 ounces of hot water to a large mug and place the tea bag in it. Steep according to tea package instructions then remove the tea bag.
Step 4:Add the remaining hot tea toddy ingredients to the mug. Stir with a cinnamon stick and leave in the mug. Add a small orange slice, lemon slice, or orange or lemon peel to your warm drink for garnish if desired.
Helpful tips
- Prep the citrus simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
- Save the simple syrup in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for future co*cktails!
- You can use full-leaf teas instead of bag tea or sachets by using a tea ball.
FAQs
Can I make a non-alcoholic hot toddy?
Yes! You can make an alcohol-free version of this recipe. Just omit the whiskey and make the drink as directed.
What can you do with orange simple syrup?
Orange simple syrup can add a delightful citrusy and sweet flavor to various beverages and dishes. Use extra orange syrup in mocktails, coffee, tea, baked goods, and sauces.
More whiskey co*cktails
- Homemade Vegan Eggnog
- Vegan Bourbon Milk Punch
- Old Fashioned Bourbon Thyme co*cktail
- Rhubarb Bourbon Sour co*cktail
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Orange Hot Toddy with Tea
This Orange Hot Toddy with Tea recipe is made with bourbon whiskey, black tea, and an orange-honey simple syrup. A citrusy twist on the classic co*cktail you'll love! Use the extra simple syrup for additional hot toddies, co*cktails, mocktails, baked goods and more.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 191kcal
Author: Tessa
Ingredients
Orange Simple Syrup
- ½ cup (4oz) fresh orange juice (or store-bought 100% juice)
- 1 ½ ounces fresh lemon juice 1 medium lemon
- ½ cup (6oz) honey or organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup (2oz) water
Hot Toddy
- 6-8 ounces hot water
- 1 black tea bag (or 1 tablespoon loose leaf tea)
- 1 ½ ounces bourbon whiskey
- ½-1 ounce orange simple syrup depending on sweet preference
- 1 cinnamon stick
- candied citrus slice, fresh citrus slice, or orange peel optional garnish
Instructions
Orange Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan, bring honey and water to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the honey has dissolved. Add the orange and lemon juices. Bring to just a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow syrup to cool completely. Strain the syrup with a fine-mesh strainer before transferring to a sterile airtight container or bottle.
Hot Toddy
Add hot water to a large mug and place the tea bag in it. Steep for 3 minutes and then remove the tea bag.
Add the whiskey and orange-honey simple syrup. Stir with a cinnamon stick and leave it in the mug. Add a small orange slice, lemon slice, or orange or lemon peel to your warm drink for garnish if desired.
Notes
Prep ahead: Make the simple syrup ahead of time and have it for hot toddies whenever you want!
Storing Orange Honey Simple Syrup: Keep any extra syrup in an airtight sterile container or bottle in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Use the extra simple syrup for hot toddies, co*cktails, mocktails, baked goods, and more.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Christine
Tessa this is lovely! It sounds like we are living parallel lives right now with hot toddies, netflix marathons, running out of wine (haha sadly true) and embracing the coziness of being inside <3
Reply
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
OMGeee Tessa, I do an inner freak out too if I ran out of wine! eeeeK! Good thing you had a bit of inspiration with this hot toddy! I've never had one, but oh my, that needs to change! What a delight! And I'm a big bourbon fan! No doubt, I'm such a homebody too... I catching up on all my fave PBS shows like Nature, Chef and the Farmer and others... then there's the bachelor (!!). Need wine for that! It's lazy for sure, but I love this reprieve from the other busy parts of the year. Pure bliss!
Reply
Tessa
Hahaha, the wine scare is real! Ohh, I'll have to check out Chef and the Farmer. Hot toddies are so comforting, I think you will like! And I totally agree, a little couch time to watch shows is a welcome reprieve from the busyness for sure. <3
Reply
Emilie @ The Clever Carrot
This makes me want to curl up on the couch and watch movies, Tessa! What I wouldn't do for a warm mug right now. Beautiful.
Reply
Tessa
Sometimes curling up and watching movies on the couch is just the very best. I always like to think of it as my "mental health break". :) Thank you so much, Emilie! <3
Reply
Sarah // The Sugar Hit
May I say...I'm so jealous. It's the super hot, super humid middle of summer here in Queensland (Australia) and I am dyingggg for some winter! I want a hot toddy and a blanket. This hot toddy in particular, it sounds amazing.
Reply
Tessa
Haha, and I am jealous of your super hot summer! There is definitely something so great about cold weather, a blanket, and a hot toddy. Thanks so much, Sarah!!
Reply
Amanda Paa
No wine - gasp! Such a good idea to use the syrup to make this hot toddy. I don't think I would have been that smart. Cheers, my friend. Also, can you eat the candied citrus rind? I've always wondered that. xo
Reply
Tessa
Hahaha, I know, right? Don't like being wine-less. ;) Yes, you can totally eat the candied rind. The thinner you can slice the citrus the better, but I have definitely been eating the rind. Thank you, friend! <3
Reply
Meghan | Fox and Briar
My husband and I just finished binge watching Fargo, so good! This hot toddy is beautiful, and I love those candied citrus slices! So beautiful, pinning!
Reply
Tessa
When we first started the second season of Fargo I thought I was going to like the first season better...nope! So good!! Thank you, Meghan! :)
Reply
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Tessa! I had the EXACT same thought when I made my candied lemons for Sarah's baby shower cheesecake. I knew all that leftover syrup would be good for something! This hot toddy is perfection!
Reply
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
Love the idea of embracing your inner homebody - it sounds poetic and healing but most of all fun ;-) such a cozy time of year... this is a beautiful & delicious sounding recipe Tessa with so much taste complexity. It's funny, I enjoy warming drinks of this nature (like mulled ciders/wines) through the fall but why haven't I thought of making this in the dead of winter! Makes so much sense, thank you. ps. admiring what you've done with the inverted pot... so clever, I thought it was an antique stool when I first saw it on IG.
Reply
Tessa
Oh so fun!! I love to travel and seek new adventures, but when it comes down to it, I love just cozying up at home. Thank you so much, Kelly. I'm so glad you like the inverted pot - I don't have much in the way of props and was trying to use what I had! :) Hope you are having a good week. <3
Reply
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
This sounds perfectly delicious Tessa! So warm and comforting for those chilly nights! I LOVE blood orange season! Your photos are simply stunning too!
Reply
Tessa
Thank you so much, Mary Ann. I love the act of holding a warm mug while I'm reading, watching a movie, or just having a conversation. Holding a warm co*cktail is even better! ;) xo.
Reply
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
This sounds so warming! I think I'd take this over a glass of wine any winter day, plus this is a wonderful way to take advantage of all the blood oranges in season! <3
Reply
Tessa
Yes, I have definitely been taking it over wine - too cold to have anything else! ;) I wish blood orange season wasn't so short! Thanks, Genevieve! xo.
Reply
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