Honey Vodka & Apple Cider Hot Toddy

This cozy apple cider hot toddy with vodka will warm you from the inside out. Apple cider and honey combine with hot water, spices, and vodka for an easy vodka cocktail. Thanks to Hangar 1 Vodka for sponsoring this post! Updated Nov. 1st 2020.

Can I Make a Hot Toddy with Vodka?

This is what I found myself wondering when Hangar 1 sent me a bottle of Honeycomb Vodka and a jar of local honey earlier this month. I've long been a fan of the warm cocktail the hot toddy (aka tottie, tati, tate, hottie tottie, and hotty toddy). Hot toddies are traditionally made with bourbon or whiskey, though other spirits such as brandy, rum, and vodka are also sometimes used.

It turns out vodka makes a light and delicious hot toddy every bit as flavorful as the original. This version gets additional luscious flavor from extra special honeycomb-infused vodka. But if you don't have any, never fear: Hangar 1's Straight Vodka can be substituted if you need a vodka hot toddy STAT.

A History of Hot Toddies

The hot toddy comes from the Indian drink toddy, made from fermented palm tree sap. The hot toddy as we now know it in the West – distilled spirit mixed with hot water, lemon, honey, and spices – dates back to the 1700's. Hot toddies are beloved in the UK and Ireland where they're traditionally made with whiskey. In Canada maple syrup is frequently used in place of honey. Hot toddies are often drunk before bed or to soothe a cough, cold, or sore throat.

But these apple cider hot toddies with vodka play well in the daytime, under golden sunlight, enjoyed with food and friends on a chilly fall day. They've quickly become a favorite here in the Bojon kitchen, so I'm excited to share the recipe with you all today!

Hot Apple Cider Toddy Ingredients

This apple cider hot toddy with vodka comes together in a matter of minutes with a handful of ingredients, yet it tastes like apple cider that has been mulled for hours.

• Fresh-pressed apple cider can be found at farmers markets and well-stocked grocers. Farmers often freeze bottles of apple cider and sell it throughout the fall. If you don't have access to any, you can use a shelf-stable apple juice or apple cider instead. Better yet, make your own with or without a juicer.
• Freshly grated ginger adds zip and mellow spice. I use a microplane to grate it finely enough that it easily releases its juices. If you have a juicer, you can also throw a chunk of ginger in there, as much as you like to your taste. A little goes a long way!
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice offsets the sweetness of honey and apple cider.
• A small amount of honey lends floral notes and that quintessential honey hot toddy taste.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg make this drink taste like fall in a cup. Adding ground cinnamon gives instant spicy flavor without having to mull this drink for hours. A cinnamon stick garnish releases further flavor and makes a handy stirring stick or straw too. Freshly grated nutmeg has peppery overtones and is far tastier than pre-ground nutmeg, but you can use either in a pinch.
• Vodka gives this drink a kick while letting the other flavors shine through. I used Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka here for extra loveliness, but you can use their Straight Vodka if that's what you've got.

Honeycomb Vodka

I first fell in love with Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka when I tasted it at their distillery in Alameda two years ago. It's made by infusing premium vodka with actual honeycomb harvested from local bees. It has a slightly sweet flavor with lots of floral notes, and more complexity than simply adding honey to vodka.

When Hangar 1 asked me to feature their vodka in a fall-friendly drink, I knew it would pair beautifully with this apple cider hot toddy. I've also featured it in these honey vodka gimlets with lemon and chamomile – divine.

Locals to the California Bay Area can take a tour of the distillery and taste or purchase a variety of delectable sips. Luckily for non-locals, you can now find Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka outside the distillery. This hot apple cider toddy recipe would also be delicious made with Hangar 1 Mandarin Blossom, Citron, or Straight Vodkas.

How to Make an Apple Cider Hot Toddy with Vodka

This easy apple cider & vodka toddy drink comes together quickly and with little effort. Just heat apple cider and water with grated ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg until very hot. Strain into a mug, add vodka, lemon juice, a little honey, and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, apple slice, or lemon wheel if you like, and enjoy!

Hot Toddy for Cold, Cough, Flu & Sore Throat

Hot toddies are widely beloved for soothing what ails you: colds, coughs, sore throats, and even flus. When I'm sick, Jay often makes me a tonic of freshly grated ginger, lemon juice, honey, and hot water which I drink throughout the day. Nothing soothes a sore throat like this concoction. But these apple cider hot toddies with vodka are 1000 times more delicious. You can enjoy them in sickness and in health.

Here's how they help:

Honey is a natural analgesic and can be more effective in quieting a cough than prescription meds. I have firsthand experience with this! The vitamin C in lemon juice helps a body fight infection. Freshly grated ginger adds a zip that feels amazing on a sore throat. Here, freshly pressed apple juice adds natural sweetness. Apple juice is also loaded with health-promoting properties such as vitamin C, pectin to aid digestion, antioxidants to wash away free radicals, and a host of other goodies.

Whatever you've got, I can guarantee that this apple cider hot toddy tastes a whole lot better than Theraflu, and is probably more helpful, too.

Virgin Apple Cider Hot Toddy

Skipping the booze? No problem! You can either just leave the alcohol off for a light and luscious virgin apple cider hot toddy. Or try what I've been doing and add a 2 ounce shot of Seedlip Grove – a non-alcoholic distillation with aromas of ginger and citrus. It adds similar complexity as the honeycomb vodka with none of the booze.

Make the Holidays Cozier with Apple Cider Vodka Hot Toddies

These warm alcoholic drinks with apple cider and vodka are just the thing to serve throughout the fall and winter holidays. Hand your guests a festive drink to pair with a platter of cheeses, fruit, nuts, and honeycomb and call it a party. These hot apple cider drinks would be equally at home on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah – and any days in between.

*Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram,  Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this apple cider hot toddy with vodka, I’d love to see. Tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet  and  #bojongourmet.*

4.77 from 13 votes

Honey Vodka & Apple Cider Hot Toddy

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This apple cider hot toddy with vodka will warm you from the inside out. On a warm day, chill the drink and serve over ice.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 6 ounces (175 ml) apple cider (preferably fresh-pressed)
• 2 ounces (60 ml) water
• ½ - 1 teaspoon packed, finely grated ginger root (to your taste)
• dash cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 ½ ounces (45 ml) Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka or Straight Vodka
• 1 teaspoon strained fresh lemon juice (or more to your taste)
• ½ teaspoon honey (or less if your apple cider is on the sweet side)
• cinnamon stick, apple slice, or lemon wheel to garnish

Instructions

• Combine the apple cider, water, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a bare simmer.
• Meanwhile, combine the vodka and lemon juice in a mug.
• Strain the hot spiced cider into the mug, discarding the solids. Stir in the honey until melted. Taste, adding more lemon or honey to balance the drink if need be.
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick, apple round, and/or lemon wheel and enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have any honeycomb vodka on hand, try this with regular vodka. Or go traditional with a shot of whiskey instead.

For a non-alcoholic version, leave the booze off, or use a 2-ounce shot of Seedlip Grove. It adds similar complexity as honeycomb vodka. 

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

Making this? I'd love to see!Tag your snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet!

5 from 9 votes

Large-batch Honey Vodka & Apple Cider Hot Toddies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

A hot toddy for you and five of your friends! These drinks can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week. Heat when ready to serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 6 drinks

Ingredients

• 4 ½ cups (1 liter) apple cider (preferably fresh-pressed)
• 1 ½ cups (350 ml) hot water
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) packed, finely grated ginger root (to your taste)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (265 ml) Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka (or Straight Vodka)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) strained lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• cinnamon sticks, apple rounds, and/or lemon wheels for garnish
• In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, water, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and bring to a bare simmer.

Instructions

• In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider, water, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and bring to a bare simmer.
• Remove the pot from the heat and add the vodka, lemon juice, and honey. Stir to combine, then taste, adding more of any ingredient you like to bring the drink into balance. You can keep the pot covered in a warm spot and serve guests as they arrive.
• Strain into mugs, garnish, and serve.

Making this? I'd love to see!Tag your snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet!

Looking for more cocktails? Try these:

• Honey Vodka Gimlets
• Grapefruit Elderflower Vodka Cocktails
• Pomegranate Vodka Cocktails
• Ginger Vodka Cordial
• Honeycomb Vodka Smash
• Pink Grapefruit Vieux Mot

Looking for more cozy cocktail recipes? Try these:

• Honey & Hearth: Bourbon & Yellow Chartreuse Cocktail
• Homemade Tonic Water
• Spiced Apple & Rye Whiskey Cocktail
• Homemade Eggnog
• Verdant Lady {green chartreuse cocktail with gin, mint, and lime}
• Homemade Horchata with Pumpkin Seeds, Maple & Ginger
• Vegan Champurrado {Mexican Hot Chocolate Atole}
• Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur