Name: Lavender Hot Toddy
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Dried Lavender; 1 Cup Hot Water; 2 Tablespoons Whiskey; 1 Tablespoon Honey; 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

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A hot toddy has been a traditional cold remedy for generations, and for good reason. Whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot tea together cover most of what your body needs when you’re under the weather: warmth, hydration, something soothing for a sore throat, and a little help relaxing into sleep. I grow and dry my own lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and adding it to the mix brings some gentle antimicrobial support and a mild calming quality that fits right in. I don’t drink much alcohol, but when a cold settles in this is what I reach for. It’s simple to make and worth having the ingredients on hand come fall and winter.

A cup of lavender hot toddy tea in a cup with lemon wedges and text overlay.

Lavender as Herbal Remedy

Lavender is antimicrobial making it a tasty treatment of all those common cold symptoms.

Lavender also helps relieve anxiety and promote sleep. Sleep is always a good idea when fighting a cold.

Hot Tea

Hot tea and steam are good for helping clear out the sinuses. It’s important to sip slowly and inhale the steam. The tea will also help hydrate the body which is important for general health function anytime but especially so when fighting a cold.

A cup of tea with lemon wedges surrounded by a honey dipper, white napkin, and wooden bowl of lemon slices.

Whiskey in Moderation

So whiskey isn’t something we should drink in huge amounts. Obviously, that will do the opposite of making us feel better. But a small amount in a cup of tea can do some wonders.

Whiskey helps us sleep. Having a cup of herbal tea with a shot of whiskey in it will likely provide some relaxation and deep sleep. Sleep is always good for healing.

Don’t like whiskey? Try substituting brandy or even a dark rum instead.

Soothing Honey

Honey has a multitude of benefits for the body. It’s also incredibly soothing for coughs and sore throats, making it an ideal ingredient in any cold remedy.

Obviously it also sweetens the tea and whiskey making it easier to go down especially for the folks that don’t necessarily love whiskey or drink much of it normally.

Increase the lavender flavor by using lavender infused honey.

Use any honey that is in the pantry.

A cup of lavender tea surrounded by a jar of dried lavender, a bowl of lemon slices, a white napkin, and a honey dipper.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps cut through congestion and eases stuffiness making it an ideal addition to this tea. Plus lemon and lavender compliment each other wonderfully in tea.

Lemon juice is also naturally vitamin C which we all know helps the body fight off colds and infections.

A mug of lavender hot toddy with lemon wedges, surrounded by dried lavender buds, a honey dipper, a white napkin, and a bowl of lemons on a wooden table.

Drink Slowly

The best way to take and use a hot toddy is to drink slowly. Inhale the steam and let the medicine slowly get into your body. This will also help the body slow down.

Drink the toddy before bed for most effective sleep and healing.

Yield: 1 Cup