Hot Toddy (n.) a mixed drink, usually including alcohol, that is served hot.
Wikipedia adds that “hot toddies (such as mulled cider) are traditionally drunk before going to bed, or in wet or cold weather. They were believed to help cure the cold and flu, but the American Lung Association now recommends avoiding treating the common cold with alcoholic beverages as they cause dehydration.“
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps
I can personally attest to this from my college days. Attending a show at the Dublin’s Abbey Theater with a budding cold, I was advised that an Irish Coffee might help me prevent its full onset. I was only too happy to comply and the next morning awoke to a full blown case of laryngitis.
But spiking hot cocoa, well that seems almost… wholesome. And with winter on the way, doesn’t it sound like fun?!
Here are two of my favorites.
Never Enough Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Hot Cocoa with Creme de Cacao
Ingredients
- 8 oz hot cocoa
- 2-3 T crème de cacao
- Dash vanilla (1/4 – 1/2 t)
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
Directions
1. Mix your favorite hot coca (the nestles can has a great recipe if you need one) with crème de cacao and vanilla.
2. Top with whipped cream
3. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on whipped cream and serve.
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps
Ingredients
- 8 oz Hot Cocoa
- 2-3 T Peppermint Schnapps
- Dash vanilla (1/4 – 1/2 t)
- Whipped cream
- 1/2 t crème de menthe for garnish
- Candy cane
Directions
1. Mix your favorite hot coca (the nestles can has a great recipe if you need one) with schnapps and vanilla.
2. Top with whipped cream
3. Drizzle whipped cream with green crème de menthe and serve with a candy cane.
I’ll take one of each to go, Inger!
Woo hoo! Love hot toddys!
Louise & Yummy–I definitely want to party with you!
Wholesome and delicious. i love hot toddies in the winter when you are cozy indoors and its snowing like the dickens outdoors. Great fall recipes. I’ll be making one on a cold damp, albeit not snowy, but certainly rainy day here in SF.
I totally agree that cold and damp warrants these just as much!
I don’t know, alcohol is a cough suppressant, and it helps you get to sleep – sounds no worse than NyQuil to me!
I do love hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. We called them “ski lifts” in college. I also love a dash of cognac in my hot chocolate. It’s totally decadent, and feels very grown-up.
I will have to try the cognac too!
I have to admit I’m a fan of hot toddies, but I often skip the alcohol, and just stick with the lemon and honey. But a hot chocolate with a dash of something sounds positively medicinal, oh and tempting:)
Yes, there are lots of nice ways to stay warm! This winter one of my kids has started doing “hot buttered un-rums” She uses my mix (which I will be posting a recipe for before New Years) and leaves out the rum!