Hot Apple Toddy Recipe

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/7/22
Tested by
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Tested by Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Hot apple toddy cocktail in a glass garnished with lemon and cinnamon

The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Total: 8 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
434 Calories
2g Fat
91g Carbs
8g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 434
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 22mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 91g 33%
Dietary Fiber 20g 71%
Total Sugars 40g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 428mg 2,139%
Calcium 204mg 16%
Iron 4mg 25%
Potassium 1127mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Warm apple cider transforms the popular hot toddy into a delightful drink for autumn and winter. You can choose whiskey or apple brandy to make the hot apple toddy. Either way, it's a comforting drink that's easy to mix up on chilly days.

If you're looking for an excuse to visit your local apple orchard, this toddy is even better with fresh-pressed cider. Put some of the apples you pick to good use and infuse your favorite whiskey with the flavor of fresh apples (it works for brandy, too). And, while honey is a good option, you can also sweeten this drink with agave nectar or cinnamon syrup.

"Nothing warms you up like a hot apple toddy. Use really good apple cider for a superior cocktail. I prefer whiskey, but apple brandy is certainly a delicious choice." —Laurel Randolph

Hot apple toddy in a mug with a cinnamon stick and lemon wedge
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for hot apple toddy gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

  2. Heat up the apple cider in a small saucepan and warm up an Irish coffee glass or mug.

    Apple cider in a small saucepan

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

  3. Coat the bottom of the glass with honey and add the whiskey or apple brandy.

    Honey and whiskey in an Irish coffee glass

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

  4. Fill with hot apple cider. Stir well.

    Whiskey with honey and apple cider in an Irish coffee glass

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

  5. Garnish with the lemon wedge, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Serve and enjoy.

    Hot apple toddy garnished with lemon and a cinnamon stick

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Baker

Tips

  • Apple cider can be gently warmed in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave. You want it nice and steamy, but not so hot so it burns your tongue or ruins the liquor's flavor.
  • Warming up the glass or mug ensures your toddy stays warm longer. To do so, simply fill it with hot water while you heat up the cider or put a water-filled glass in the microwave for 5 or 10 seconds. Dump out the water before mixing the drink.
  • Adjust the amount of apple cider to your liking. For a lighter, fruitier drink, add more cider.

Recipe Variation

You might also enjoy the hot baked apple toddy. It comes from "The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book," which was first published in 1934 and is a treasure trove of classic cocktail recipes. This toddy gets the apple flavor by pairing a freshly baked apple with apple whiskey, though apple brandy is a fine substitute. While there's no need for cider, you can certainly use it if you like.

  • To make this toddy, place 1/4 of a baked apple in the bottom of a warm Irish coffee glass. Coat it with 1 teaspoon honey and add 2 ounces of apple whiskey. Stir the mix, fill the glass with hot water, then stir again. Garnish it with a cinnamon stick to give the flavor a little more depth.

Infused Cider Variation

Apple cider can be infused to create a spiced cider that's ready whenever you want to make the apple toddy or any other hot cider drink. You can even use regular apple juice.

  • To infuse cider, place 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 whole star anise, and 5 to 6 whole cloves and allspice in a large jar. Add a few fresh apple or pear slices if you like. Fill the jar with apple cider or juice, secure the lid, and give it a good shake.
  • Store the infusion in the refrigerator for four to five days, shaking it once a day. Taste it to see if the flavor is to your liking. Once it is, strain out the spices and fruit and bottle the cider. If you'd like a more intense flavor, continue the infusion and check it once a day.
  • Keep your infused cider in the refrigerator under a tight seal. It will have the same shelf life as regular cider and can quickly be warmed up for a hot drink, with no need for additional spices.

How Strong Is a Hot Apple Toddy?

The hot apple toddy is a warm, comforting, and relatively low-proof drink. It should mix up to an alcohol content around 11 percent ABV (22 proof), making it similar to drinking a glass of wine.