My co-blogger likes Mulled Wine  but I prefer something a wee bit stronger, after a cold evening outside watching the New Years Eve / Scottish Hogmanay festivities. What better drink can there be after freezing ones fingers off in the wee hours, than a traditional steaming Hot Toddy  combining whisky, exotic spices, a little tea, honey and lemon?

This evening I decided to brew up my Hot Toddy with an English twist. Massive apologies Scottish readers! I was recently given a very unsual bottle of “Chapter 15” Single Malt Whisky distilled by The English Whisky Company of Roudham Norfolk in the East Coast of England, with a pungent and smokey nose, which I thought was just perfect for this  winter drink if you’ve not got a bottle of Islay Malt Whisky to hand

Ingredients

My Hot Toddy Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Whisky (smokey whisky works best)
• 1 tbsp Earl Grey tea leaves
• 1 tbsp Honey (I used Mexican Mesquite)
• Juice of 1/4 of a lemon
• 1/2 slice of a lemon
• 1 small Cinnamon stick
• 2-3 whole Cloves
• A couple of Juniper berries (crushed)

Method

• Brew the tea
• Warm a heat proof glass with boiled water
• Add the honey, whisky, cloves, cinnamon stick and the berries to the glass
• Pour the tea into the cup (it should be just off the  boil)
• Stir and add a lemon slice

Sip it slowly and feel the cockles of your heart reviving as the honey sweetness, combines with the acid lemon and strong flavors of the whisky and spices.  Happy New Year All!