I hate when I get sick away from home. You never have anything you need to get better. Even if there’s a drug store nearby, some things you just can’t get on the road. This happened to me during my last set of work trips. Yes, I had zinc drops Thayer’s and Sudafed, but what I didn’t have was my own honey to coat my throat – that was still in my cupboard at home. All I wanted was a hot tea and lots of honey to cut my ragged throat, sore from post-nasal drip. The answer came unexpectedly during a group dinner at a seafood joint. A hot toddy. I don’t know if it was the whiskey, the lemon, or the honey, but something – maybe all of it – made me feel so much better. But you shouldn’t keep this drink just for when you’re ill, you should make it when the weather gets chilly and you’d like to warm your bones. I’ve put a spin on a hot toddy by using hot black tea instead of water.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 black tea bag – I used Numi organic breakfast blend
• 1 tablespoon of high-quality honey – I used Wholesome brand organic raw honey
• 1-2 packets of True Lemon (or 1-2 wedges of lemon)
• 1 shot whiskey – I used Buffalo Trace Whiskey
• 1 wedge or slice of lemon for garnish (optional)

In a mug, create black tea like normal – using the hot water and the tea bag. Make sure you steep it long enough for the tea to blossom. While the tea is steeping, in a separate glass, stir the honey and True Lemon – yes, it works just like a wedge of lemon for any recipes –  (or lemon juice) together. Pour the tea into the honey mixture and stir until honey is fully dissolved. Add in the shot of whiskey and garnish with a lemon slice or wedge.

I’m using this recipe as an entry into a cocktail contest for the Hyatt Regency Chicago, home of BlogHer Food 2015. I’ll be attending BlogHer Food this year. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be there too!

Tagged: BlogHer, BlogHer Food, Chicago, Honey, Hot Tea Toddy, Whiskey