If you woke up in Storrs this past Monday, the temperature with wind-chill felt like a whopping -13 degrees. A tweet shared that it was a mere two degrees warmer than Antarctica. Not a great start to syllabus week, but if you’re looking to wrap it up on a warmer note, we’ve got you covered.
Hot toddies are a classic winter beverage, typically made with whiskey, honey and lemon. Some recipes call for dark rum or brandy, but this one uses tequila instead for an ultimately lighter, zesty drink to warm you up in these frigid temps.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup hot water
2 oz Hornitos Plata Tequila
2-3 tsp honey, to taste
2-3 tsp lemon juice, to taste
1 lemon wedge
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves (optional)
The directions are simple. Boil water on the stove. Pour the hot water into a mug, and then add the remaining liquid ingredients. Stir until the honey is completely dissolved, and then let it steep for one minute. Garnish with the lemon wedge, cinnamon stick and cloves then enjoy!
While our recipe calls for Hornitos Tequila specifically, any tequila can be substituted. Anything more than three full teaspoons of lemon juice definitely overpowers the rest of the drink, but the honey and lemon can be adjusted to taste. If you are looking for something sweeter, try adding agave nectar as well as honey.
The water and honey help reduce the bitterness of the tequila and lemon, but if you find the drink still tastes too strongly of alcohol, we recommend steeping green or black tea in the hot water for two to three minutes. This adds some complexity to the flavor of the drink.
A tequila hot toddy is light and hydrating, not overwhelmingly sweet, and perfect for a relaxing night in. It’s also relatively easy to make, considering there’s a lot of freedom with the ingredients and garnishes. Hot toddies also reportedly help with cold symptoms like aches, pains and congestion, but please do not mix with any medication you may be taking. Drink responsibly and stay warm, Huskies!
