Hot Toddy (Toddies??)
Sam’s first experience of a hot toddy was when she was living in Ireland. Having come down with a cold, her boss sent her home but told her to stop in at the pub on the way. Wait…what??? That’s right, Sam was told to stop in at the pub and have a hot toddy or two before going home and resting. She did…and that started a love affair with the drink, which continued while in Ireland, and has followed her to every country since. Now, did it make the cold go away? No, but it sure makes the imbiber warm inside and gives a really comforting feeling - perfect for when you feel like rubbish.
The hot toddy’s that Sam used to have in a bar or make at home always had Jameson’s Whiskey (yes, whisky in Ireland is spelled with an “e”), sugar, cinnamon, cloves, lemon and hot water. A deliciously warming drink that always had Sam going back for more!
But hot toddies (??) have been around for much longer than when Sam discovered them. In fact, they originated not in Scotland, but in India back when it was still occupied by the British (1610s), and was a drink that consisted of fermented palm sap (known as a taddy in Hindi). It wasn’t until the late 1700’s when it was transformed into a drink with alcohol, hot water, spices and sugar. Irish Doctor, Dr Robert Todd, used to prescribe the drink to his patients, and over time the drink became known as a cure for the common cold. Perhaps it was the antioxidants that come from lemon, or the anti-inflammatory properties of honey (sometimes used in place of sugar) that made people feel better, or just the warm cosy feeling that one gets from a hot toddy that helped cement this belief, or perhaps it was just folklore. However, scientifically, no research has linked a hot toddy to cold relief.
Proven cold cure or not, hot toddies are now enjoyed all over the world, with each country putting it’s own twist on the original recipe. And now, you can also enjoy it with a Drifters End Spiced Pumpkin Gin rather than your favourite whisk(e)y. At the end of the day, as we move into these winter months, find your favourite way to enjoy this classic winter drink, regardless of whether you have a cold or not!!