Make this tropical hot toddy recipe with your favorite whiskey and honey sweetened hibiscus tea in just minutes.
I'm dropping my favorite flavored hot toddy recipe on you today because we don't gatekeep around here! You can whip up this comforting classic with a West African twist in no time with just a few ingredients you probably have in the pantry. Let's get into it.
If you enjoy this recipe, check out my apple cider hot toddy and my soothing pepper tea next!
What kind of liquor to use in a hot toddy? In addition to whiskey, brandy and rum are commonly used in spiked hot toddies. Since hibiscus is indigenous to West Africa and commonly found throughout the diaspora in the Caribbean and Americas, as well as Polynesian islands, it's associated with tropical flavors. So rum and tequila are also great options!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Can I drink a hot toddy when I'm sick? These drinks are believed to help alleviate cough and cold symptoms and relax you. Here are the hot toddy ingredients to add to your grocery list.
Hibiscus Tea forms the flavor base of this warm cocktail recipe. I use dried hibiscus flowers but a tea bag will work just as well.
Honey is the classic sweetener to use in a hot toddy and it has soothing and antibacterial properties.
Lemon Juice promotes hydration, cuts phlegm, and balances out the flavor so it's not too sweet.
Whiskey is my go-to spirit for a toddy but you have other options, as noted above!
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, and step-by-step instructions!
What does a hibiscus toddy taste like?
What does hibiscus tea taste like? The main flavors in my hibiscus toddy come from the tea itself, which is earthy, fruity, and floral. I'd describe it as tart, luscious, and juicy with balancing brightness from the citrus and sweetness from the honey.
You can add subtle warmth and spiciness to this drink with ginger-infused honey.
If you're Jamaican, I'd describe it as a warm sorrel tea. And for my West African folks that drink zobo, sobolo, etc., you'll recognize the taste plus a shot of booziness. Here are a few related and highly recommended recipes:
Tips & Tools
Grab a tea kettle to heat your water on the stovetop or simply microwave it in a mug. You can also use an electric kettle for the perfect combination of coziness and convenience. You won't need any other tools except a spoon to stir and a sharp knife to cut the lemon.
How to make a hot toddy vegan? Replace honey with maple syrup or your plant-based sweetener of choice. I do recommend cutting the amount in half as maple syrup tends to be a bit sweeter than honey.
Can I enjoy this drink without alcohol? Certainly. A mug of hot hibiscus tea is comforting all on its own so feel free to make this recipe without the liquor if you're sober curious.
How to Serve a Hot Toddy with Hibiscus Tea
Hot toddy garnishes can be as simple or extraordinary as you like. Lemon is very common as it's pretty widely available and already used in the recipe. Use a stripe of the lemon peel, a round slice of lemon or even a whole wedge. Cloves and cinnamon sticks are also often served in hot toddies and I use them in my warm hibiscus tea.
More Favorite Whiskey Recipes
While I could argue that this is the perfect easy hot toddy for summertime, I have cold whiskey drinks you can enjoy, as well.
Sparkling Blood Orange Whiskey Smash
Curl up with a mug of tropical spiked tea and enjoy the coziness. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this flavored toddy recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Hot Toddy Recipe with Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 6 ounces hot water
- 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus or one hibiscus teabag
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ lemon
- 1 ½ ounce whiskey
Instructions
- Heat water to boiling (about two minutes in the microwave or four minutes on stovetop).
- Add dried hibiscus or tea bag and hot water to a mug. Steep for about five minutes.
- Remove the dried hibiscus from tea then add honey, lemon juice, and whiskey. Stir until honey is dissolved.
- Serve with a stripe of lemon peel or lemon round, if desired. Carefully enjoy while warm and drink responsibly!
Jen says
This hibiscus hot toddy tasted delicious and I love how quick and easy it is to make. I'll definitely be making this one again!
Robin says
The West African twist on a hot toddy is exactly what I needed this evening! I loved this to the point it may become problematic...thank you!
Marta says
I LOVED the floral tartness of this hibiscus hot toddy! It was a nice change of pace from the boring original.