Easy Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddy (5 Minutes)
Looking for an easy non-alcoholic hot toddy? You need one bottle of non-alcoholic bourbon, plus honey, a lemon and hot water you already have at home. One mug, 5 minutes, done.
The bourbon goes in last, off the heat, so its caramel, vanilla and oak aromas stay in the mug.
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz (45 ml) of Spiritless Kentucky 74
1 tbsp of honey (or maple syrup)
1/2 lemon, juiced, plus a slice for the mug
3/4 cup (180 ml) of hot water
Optional: 1 cinnamon stick
Preparation
Heat the water: Boil it in a kettle, or heat 3/4 cup of water in a microwave-safe mug for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until steaming.
Stir in honey and lemon: Add the honey and lemon juice to the hot water and stir until the honey melts.
Add the bourbon last: Pour in the Kentucky 74 and stir.
Garnish: Drop in a lemon slice and the cinnamon stick if you have one.
Preparation advice
Never boil the spirit: Add the non-alcoholic bourbon to the hot water at the end. Heating it longer only cooks off its aromas.
For a crowd: Heat 1 L of water with 6 tbsp of honey and the juice of 3 lemons in a pot on low heat (6 mugs), and let guests fill their mugs. Add 45 ml of Kentucky 74 to each mug. For 12 mugs, double everything.
Sweetness: Start with 1 tbsp of honey and add more after tasting. Maple syrup works the same way and gives a nice Quebec twist.
Variations
- Spiced rum toddy: Use NOA Spiced Rum instead of the bourbon. It already brings the cinnamon and spice.
- Ginger toddy: Swap the honey for Monsieur Cocktail ginger syrup.
- Tea toddy: Use hot black tea or chai instead of water.
More bottles to try in our non-alcoholic whiskey and bourbon collection, or see our guide to the best non-alcoholic whiskeys and bourbons.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a hot toddy?
Whiskey, honey, lemon and hot water. Here the whiskey is a non-alcoholic bourbon.
Can I make it in the microwave?
Yes. Heat the water in the mug for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, then stir in the honey, lemon and bourbon.
Is it really alcohol-free?
Kentucky 74 contains less than 0.5% alcohol, so the toddy stays under 0.5%.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, same amount.