Our articles may contain affiliate links. This means we receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying Amazon purchases.

A tequila hot toddy? Why not? Most hot drinks fall into the category of Hot Toddies. Once you understand a little bit about the base drink, you’ll understand why Toddies have been a wintertime favorite for centuries. And you won’t want to miss trying this version with the spice of ginger and a kiss of honey.

Table of Contents

What’s in a hot toddy?

The basic recipe includes a spirit, (originally whisky or rum), sweetener, citrus and hot water.

The hot toddy is not only historically relevant to pubs and bars, it was considered to be legitimate medicine well into the 20th century. Doctors prescribed toddies for all, even young children. Though the age restrictions have changed, many people still swear by the healing properties of warming spirits and good dose of vitamin C from the citrus in the form of a delicious, soothing hot beverage.

Why you’ll love this hot tequila drink

These days, Toddies are all about getting creative with what you have available. Bartenders and cocktail recipe developers worldwide have pushed the limits of their imaginations in creating new spins on this classic. But what’s the best liquor for a hot toddy? That’s up to you!

For my hot toddy recipe, I’ve focused on the curative aspect of the drink. Honey, fresh squeezed lemon juice and ginger are all home remedies I turn to throughout the winter. They soothe scratchy throats, warm the belly and provide lively aromas for a slightly stuffy nose

But do you know what else is great about the ingredients in my tequila cocktail? They’re all aphrodisiacs!

As for the spirit in this spin on a toddy, I chose a mellow, smooth-aged tequila. Not only does the tequila provide an earthy aromatic backdrop for the ginger and honey but it also reminds me of warmer winters on the Mexican Riviera. And who wouldn’t want to be there right now?!

Notes on ingredients

You might notice that I recommend some very specific and slightly unusual ingredients in this drink. But I want to make sure you have plenty of options for substitutions as well as links to order my preferred ingredients.

As I mentioned, I use a Reposado tequila for this drink. Reposados are aged in wooden barrels between two and eleven months. This gives the tequila a smooth flavor.

I developed the recipe using Partida Reposado but you can easily swap it out for your favorite brand. Some popular brands include Mijenta, Clase Azul, Casa Noble and Corralego. But there are plenty of choices out there!

To give the drink ginger flavor, I use honey ginger tea crystals. I like Prince of Peace, which is sold in many grocery stores and even CVS pharmacies. But there are other brands. You can also substitute with Trader Joe’s 100% ginger (in the tea section) and then sweeten with honey to taste.

To give the drink a sexy edge, I use spicy bitters. My preferred is Scrappy’s Bitters Firewater Tincture, which is made with organic ingredients.

If you don’t make a lot of cocktails, some of these ingredients may be a little unfamiliar to you. But don’t be scared off by the unusual flavors. In combination, they make a memorable–not to mention aphrodisiac–drink.

For more history and tales of different hot cocktails, visit me on Wander Eat and Tell.

tequila hot toddy cocktail in a white mug

Miel de Jengibre Tequila Hot Toddy

Print Recipe

A tropical twist on a hot toddy cocktail made with Reposado tequila, ginger and spice.

Course aperitif, cocktails

Cuisine American

Dish Type Cocktail

Cooking Style Mixology

Seasonal Christmas, Holiday season, Thanksgiving, winter

Ingredient honey, Tequlia

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings cocktail

Author Annette Tomei

Ingredients

1 packet honey ginger tea crystals I like Prince of Peace brand – Trader Joe’s has a 100% ginger that would work too – add your own honey to taste
1 cup boiling water
2 oz Partida Reposado Tequila or your favorite Reposado tequila
1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice about 1/4 of a lemon
5 + drops Scrappy’s Firewater tincture or your favorite spicy bitters

To garnish (optional)

1 wedge candied ginger or a wheel of fresh lemon

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

In a mug, dissolve the ginger honey crystals in the boiling water, add the tequila and fresh lemon juice, and a few drops of spicy bitters. Adjust to taste.
Garnish with a sliver of candied ginger or a thinly sliced wheel of lemon if desired.

Notes

If you have trouble finding any of the ingredients, see introduction for substitution suggestions.

This article was written in 2020 and updated in January 2025 with new images and instruction notes for clarity.

Author
Recent Posts

Annette Tomei

Chef, Wine Educator & Culinary Consultant at Wander, Eat and Tell

Annette Tomei is a chef, educator, writer, and cultural tourism consultant. She has a Master of Arts in Gastronomy and extensive education in wine and spirits including Italian Wine Scholar with Highest Honors. She is a classically trained chef and former restaurant owner. As a sought-after cooking instructor, she has created popular Port to Table cooking classes for Holland America and has contributed to several food books including Culinary Careers for Dummies. She currently works as a food, wine and spirits educator and consultant though her company, Wander, Eat and Tell. Learn more at http://wandereatandtell.com.

A Tequila Hot Toddy Recipe