Tag Archives: drinks

How to Make a Hot Toddy

One of the benefits of living with someone from the UK is that you get to learn about all sorts of different food and drink like Toad in the Hole, Bangers and Mash and of course, Pimms Cup.  Another drink he introduced to me that I fancy quite a lot is the Hot Toddy.  Now that the weather is finally cooling down, it’s the perfect time to learn how to make a hot toddy.

The hot toddy comes from Scottish origin, and is a drink that has of black tea, lemon, honey and either whiskey or brandy.  Hot Toddies are known as a good cold and flu remedy, but they are also a nice beverage to drink even when you aren’t sick.

After running a 10 mile race this past weekend all I wanted to do is put my feet up, watch some football and drink a hot toddy.  So that’s what I did.

How to Make a Hot Toddy pinHow to Make a Hot Toddy (makes 2)

Ingredients:

2 oz Irish Whiskey (I used Red Breast)

2 black tea bags

1 lemon

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

Hot Water

Directions:

Boil a pot of hot water.  Place teabags into two mugs and pour water over tea.  Let tea steep for a few minutes, then remove tea bags.

How to Make a Hot Toddy TeaSlice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice of the lemon into each cup.  If you don’t want your tea to have a strong lemon flavor, only use one half of the lemon for juice.

How to Make a Hot Toddy LemonPour 1 oz of whiskey into each mug.  This will give the hot toddy a nice whiskey flavor.  Again, use more or less whiskey based on personal preference.

How to Make a Hot Toddy WhiskeyAdd 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to each mug.  Honey also works excellent in this recipe.

How to Make a Hot Toddy Maple SyrupSprinkle cinnamon on top of each mug, and enjoy!

How to Make a Hot Toddy and BreadI personally enjoyed my hot toddy with some paleo pumpkin bread, and am already planning on making another one soon.  The perfect fall drink!

How to Make a Pimm’s Cup

When I first visited London back in 2005, I had a Pimm’s Cup.  It had Pimm’s, fresh fruit, and ginger ale and was lovely.  Then for whatever reason I didn’t have one again until recently at our engagement shoot a couple of weeks ago, which is eight years too long.  Since then, I’ve had Pimm’s on the brain and even brought it to this girl’s chicken and waffles party.  And if you haven’t had Pimm’s before, I will tell you how to make a Pimm’s Cup.

Pimm's Cup Side Door*photo cred: Lawry’s Inc.*

The first thing you’ll need to do is get a bottle of Pimm’s No.1.  I got my bottle at Hi-Time Wine Cellars (for all you OC locals), but other specialty stores such as BevMo have Pimm’s as well.  Most traditional Pimm’s Cup recipes call for ginger ale, but I decided to kick it up a notch and make my Pimm’s Cup with Prosecco.  Pimm’s + Prosecco?  Yes please!

The Englishman told me that one of the key ingredients in a good Pimm’s Cup is fresh fruit, namely watermelon, so you’ll need some watermelon, limes, oranges, cucumber, berries, etc. If you haven’t gathered by now, a Pimm’s Cup is essentially the English version of Sangria.  So here’s how you make one!

How to Make a Pimm’s Cup (makes 1 large pitcher)

How to Make a Pimms Cup

Ingredients:

1 cup Pimm’s No. 1

2 cups Prosecco

1 cucumber washed and thinly sliced

1/2 cup watermelon cubes

2 limes cut into thin slices

1-2 oranges cut into thin slices

6 sprigs of mint

Mixed berries for garnish (I like raspberries and blackberries)

Directions:

Fill a pitcher 1/4 full with ice.  Pour your Pimm’s and Prosecco into the pitcher and stir with a long wooden spoon.  Add in your fruit and continue to stir.

Let the pitcher sit for 30 min to an hour (if you can wait that long!) so the flavors can blend nicely together.  Pour into glasses and garnish with berries.  Enjoy!

This is the perfect summer drink for a BBQ or just to enjoy on a sunny afternoon.  If you don’t want your Pimm’s Cup to be as potent, feel free to swap the Prosecco for ginger ale.

And that’s how to make a Pimm’s Cup!