The Healing Hot Toddy

Heal Thyself

fighting colds since 1786

It happens every year: Cold season. This year my oldest has entered Kindergarten and is bringing home a whole new slew of germs for the rest of the family to grapple with. And while the hubby and I have had our own immune systems tested to breaking point many moons ago while living in Ethiopia, public school is a proving to be a particularly challenging petri-dish of a foe.
But have no fear, dear reader, I have several recipes of an elixir that cures all. Well, it tastes good, makes me feel momentarily better, and has booze in it, so I consider that a win-win-win.
If a cold has got you up against the ropes, come with me to see why even Science agrees that a Hot Toddy is just what the doctor order!
At the first signs of a cold make up one of these versions and drift off to sleep, getting the much needed rest you so deserve and will help fight the infection.

Rind’s herbal Toddy

night time is the right time for an herbal hot toddy

1-2 oz. good whiskey scotch (not too good, but perhaps a 10 year single barrel if you’ve got it, like this Glenmorangie)
1 tablespoon organic wild honey
1 oz orange juice, fresh squeezed
1 tea bag of Sleepytime or Nightly Calm (or any other nighty night type herbal tea)
1 cup very hot water
While the kettle is heating, add honey and whiskey, and orange juice to your mug, you could also use lemon. Just before water is boiling take it off the heat and add to mug; stir to combine. Dunk tea bag in mixture and let steep, 5-10 minutes. 

Chai Not Toddy

2 oz. bourbon - I'm using Michter's

Chai not?

1 tablespoon of  honey

1 oz orange or lemon juice, fresh

1 chai tea bag - I'm using Rishi organic Turmeric Chai; turmeric having numerous healing properties itself, like being an anti-inflammatory

1 cup very hot water

DramToddy

2 oz. Drambuie

1 oz. lemon juice

1 cup very hot water

You don't even need a tea bag or honey for this one. It's says it right there on the label. Drambuie: Aged Scotch whisky, heather honey, herbs, and spices. They really took the leg work out of it for ya!

Drambuie: built in Toddy!

Science it

In How to Drink, Victoria Moore describes the drink in three parts "the vitamin C for health, the
honey to soothe, the alcohol to numb."
Not only is whisky somewhat of a decongestant—the alcohol dilates the blood vessels, making it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection—but when served in a steaming cocktail of honey, lemon, and herbal tea, it gets you primed for heading down the path to dream time as well.
However, please don’t try the line of reasoning: if one’s good, three must be great. Overindulging on alcohol can have an adverse affect on your sleep. Even if you do pass out, it’s not a truly restful and restorative, deep sleep. So, while keeping in mind the ideals of healing, one toddy ‘ll do ya.

Here's to your health!

By Julz Vivalo