Blueberry Ginger Hot Toddy
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This cozy blueberry ginger Hot Toddy is the best thing to sip on a chilly night or when you feel a tickle in your throat. It's fruity, a little spicy and will warm you up from the inside out!
What is a Hot Toddy?
A hot toddy is a classic drink made with hot water, whiskey, honey and lemon. It dates back to the 18th century and was traditionally used as a warming drink to soothe a sore throat or ward off a chill.
Even now, nothing beats a hot toddy on a cold winter evening and it's the best thing ever when you're sick. This version has blueberries and ginger along with the whiskey, honey, lemon and hot water to add color, flavor and anti-inflammatory properties. Spicy ginger and sweet tangy blueberries give this otherwise simple drink a very welcome twist.
This recipe couldn't be more perfect for the cold winter months ahead. It warms your hands, your throat and your tummy all at the same time. Honey, lemon and ginger are all natural immune boosters and blueberries are packed with vitamin C. If you happen to come down with a little tickle, this is just the thing you want to be sipping on.
Both fresh or frozen blueberries will work for this recipe. I love freezing a bunch of blueberries when they're at peak season in the summer so I can use them in recipes like this all year long.
This warm and comforting beverage will make you feel instantly better on a cold day, especially when served piping hot!
Want more cold weather drink recipes? Try my refreshing Cranberry, Clementine and Rosemary Cocktail, this creamy Puerto Rican Coquito or classic Hot Buttered Rum.
Why This Recipe Works
- Hot toddies are the best winter drink to warm you up on a cold night!
- It's a colorful and flavorful twist on the classic cocktail
- Can be made with fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Soothing and comforting when you're under the weather.
Ingredient Notes
Blueberries - Use fresh or frozen blueberries. Fresh will yield a slightly brighter flavor, while frozen work perfectly when berries aren't in season.
Whiskey - Use your favorite whiskey, rye, or bourbon. For a non-alcoholic version, try substituting tea or warm apple cider.
Ginger - Use a knob of fresh ginger. The spicy kick complements the blueberries and lemon beautifully. Store ginger in the freezer, it's easier to grate!
Honey - Use good-quality honey for the best flavor. Look for local honey wherever you are! Raw honey or Manuka honey are good options as well.
*Find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
- Teapot or heatproof pitcher
- Muddler
- Small sieve or fine mesh strainer
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoon
- Two heatproof mugs
- Citrus knife
Step by Step Instructions
- In the bottom of a teapot or heatproof pitcher, muddle blueberries, ginger, and lemon wedges.
- Pour ½ cup boiling water over top and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Measure one ounce of bourbon (optional) and one tablespoon of honey into two glasses.
- Add strained blueberry mixture and divide between the glasses.
- Stir until honey is dissolved and garnish with a few blueberries and a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.
Pro Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, steep a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods or star anise with the hot liquid to make it even more comforting.
Tips for Success
- Let the blueberry and ginger mixture sit a few extra minutes for a stronger flavor.
- Always strain the mixture before serving for a smooth, refined finish.
- Adjust the amount of honey or bourbon depending on your taste.
Variations
- Add a splash of spicy ginger liqueur or ginger tea for an extra warming note.
- Swap blueberries for raspberries or blackberries for a twist.
- Replace the whiskey with apple cider for a non alcoholic drink.
- Add a splash of lemon juice for more acidity or a pinch of ground cinnamon for depth.
- Add extra honey, sugar or simple syrup if you prefer your toddy sweeter.
- If you don't like bourbon, replace it for your favorite spirit.
Serving Suggestions
This is a great hot beverage to serve after dinner, at a cold weather cocktail mixer or any fall or winter festive gathering.
Serve it alongside a light snack or dessert, like these nostalgic Cinnamon Toast Cookies, chewy Pignoli Cookies, my tangy Lemon and Pistachio Cookies or a slice of tender Ricotta Pear Cake.
How to Store and Reheat
This hot toddy is best enjoyed immediately on a chilly evening, but you can make the blueberry-ginger mixture ahead and refrigerate it in a jar for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm gently over medium heat in a small saucepan until steaming but not boiling, then add the honey, whiskey and a slice of lemon just before serving.
FAQs
Yes. Substitute the shot of whiskey or bourbon with hot ginger tea or apple cider for a soothing non-alcoholic version that's just as comforting.
Absolutely. Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh, and they make this toddy easy to prepare any time of year.
This version builds on the traditional recipe by adding fruit and ginger for extra depth.
Use heatproof glass mugs and garnish with a lemon slice for a nice presentation.
You can use a any medium saucepan to muddle and heat the ingredients, then pour through a fine mesh strainer into mugs.
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Ginger Hot Toddy with Blueberries
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ginger freshly grated
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries plus more for garnish
- 2 lemon wedges plus 2 more for garnish
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In the bottom of a teapot or heatproof pitcher, muddle blueberries, ginger and lemon wedges.
- Pour ½ cup boiling water over top and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Measure one ounce of bourbon (optional) and one tablespoon of honey into two glasses.
- Add strained blueberry mixture and divide between the glasses.
- Stir until honey is dissolved and garnish with a few blueberries and a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Let the blueberry and ginger mixture sit a few extra minutes for a stronger flavor.
- Always strain the mixture before serving for a smooth, refined finish.
- Adjust the amount of honey or bourbon depending on your taste.
Nutrition
Be sure to use fresh ginger as the powdered ginger won’t give it that clean crisp kick that you get from fresh grated ginger.
Great tip, thanks for leaving a review!
This is a drink that i would like to take on a very hot day..
We've got that same bourbon right now. I wish I had a freezer filled with New Jersey blueberries to go with it! My inferior frozen grocery store blueberries will have to do.
Sadly my stash is almost gone! Too many smoothies. 🙂 Looks like it will be sad grocery store berries for us, too, until June anyway.