Hot Toddy Variations with Bourbon (and Beyond)

bourbon hot toddy in glass mug with lemon wheel

The bourbon hot toddy is the classic warm comfort drink — but it's also one of the most versatile templates in mixology. A base of 60 ml bourbon, hot water, lemon, and honey is just the start. With a few thoughtful tweaks and the right spirits, you can unlock flavors that suit your evening, your mood, or your home bar.

Foundations of a Bourbon Hot Toddy

To tinker with variations, first understand the core building blocks. Most bourbon hot toddy recipes follow a near-universal formula:

60 ml bourbon
15 ml honey (or preferred sweetener)
22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
120–150 ml hot water
Lemon wheel or cinnamon stick for garnish

Every base ingredient can be swapped or layered to build something new, from the sweetener to the spirit.

Bourbon Hot Toddy Variations to Try

Try these custom twists using bourbon as a base or as part of a multi-spirit blend. Each brings out a fresh angle — spice, richness, or a surprising herbal note.

Bourbon & Brandy Hot Toddy

Split your main spirit for extra smoothness and complexity:

30 ml bourbon + 30 ml brandy
15 ml honey
22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
120 ml hot water
Garnish: orange slice and star anise

Brandy rounds out bourbon’s edges with a subtle fruitiness and gently boosts warming notes on the palate.

hot toddy with bourbon and brandy, orange slice

Bourbon & Moonshine Hot Toddy

Moonshine's grainy sharpness cuts through the sweetness of a toddy. For a robust Appalachian spin:

30 ml bourbon + 30 ml unaged corn whiskey (moonshine)
15 ml maple syrup
22.5 ml lemon juice
120 ml hot water
Garnish: lemon peel, cracked black pepper

Maple syrup highlights the earthiness of corn whiskey while bourbon keeps the profile smooth.

Bourbon & Rum Hot Toddy

Rum layers honeyed sugarcane notes over bourbon’s vanilla, for a richer and deeper toddy:

30 ml bourbon + 30 ml aged rum
10 ml demerara syrup (or honey)
22.5 ml lemon juice
120 ml hot water
Garnish: cinnamon stick, clove-studded lemon wheel

Aged rum’s baking spice and molasses echo perfectly in winter toddies.

bourbon and rum hot toddy with cinnamon stick and lemon

Customize Your Hot Toddy: Spices & Sweeteners

Experiment with sweeteners: swap honey for maple, agave, spiced syrup, or demerara for new depth.
Use tea instead of hot water (chamomile, Earl Grey, ginger, or chai all boost complexity).
Build flavor with whole spices (clove, cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, or fresh ginger slice).
Add a dash (1 ml) of aromatic bitters or orange bitters for subtle contrast.
Citrus is flexible: try orange, blood orange, or even grapefruit juice for a twist.

Each switch creates a distinct profile, so build a hot toddy with what you have — or to match the weather.

Tips for Hot Toddy Success

Always preheat your mug with hot water before building your drink — this helps maintain ideal serving temperature and prevents premature dilution.
Dissolve honey or syrup in a splash of hot water before adding spirits for even sweetness.
Taste before you finish — some bourbons are bold; others mellow. Adjust sweetener or acid to balance.
Choose a garnish that echoes the drink’s spice or fruit note, and make it fragrant to lift the experience.

With these ideas, any bourbon (or spirit blend) hot toddy recipe can become your ideal fireside sipper.