warm up with a hot toddy

The hot toddy is one of those drinks most people have heard of but few have actually had, making it a perfect unexpected addition to your holiday soiree.

Although the origin of the term hot toddy is unclear, the drink itself has been around since the 18^th century. Since then, hot toddies have achieved legendary status as both an après-ski tipple and a cold remedy — but don’t throw out your cold medicine just yet: Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, which is the last thing you want when you have a cold. (If the first thing you want is a hot drink spiked with whiskey, well, who can blame you?)

As it turns out, the hot toddy isn’t just one drink, but rather any hot sweetened beverage made with water and alcohol. And because there isn’t just one recipe, you can be pretty flexible about what you put in yours, depending on what you have on hand.

Skip the lemon juice and let two teabags steep in the mixture instead ... or replace the Scotch with Canadian whiskey, bourbon, rum or brandy ... or try sugar or maple syrup instead of honey ... or add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or even a half stick of butter (hot buttered rum, anyone?) at the end.

You may not know if there’ll be snow, but have a cup of cheer — and make a few more for your guests while you’re at it.

Hot Toddy

• 2 cups water
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup Scotch whisky

Heat water and honey until boiling. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and Scotch.

Serves 8