8 Facts About Hot Toddy You Must Know About

1. A Drink Born for Healing

[{"selector":"#anim-d1b80150-6df1-4914-9de2-4d2c8c7d595d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3aa4b487-df52-4251-83a1-e7d996c1329d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The hot toddy originated as a traditional remedy for colds and sore throats. It is a comforting drink during chilly seasons. Credits: Canva

2. The Origin of the Name

[{"selector":"#anim-8a823a9e-6a0f-4051-bc7b-1a8219042196","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77fe2a4e-6233-4a59-8be9-d41e30709e61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The term 'toddy' is believed to have come from the Hindi word ‘tari,’ referring to a fermented palm sap drink in India. Credits: Canva

3. The Whisky Connection

[{"selector":"#anim-cc1ea65f-27ba-4d51-893e-523fbafce2d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2490d6ac-532d-4ff7-bad9-ee4bfbbdf572","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Though whisky is the most common spirit used in a hot toddy, the drink is versatile and can also be made with rum, brandy, or even tequila. Credits: Canva

4. Customisable Ingredients

[{"selector":"#anim-a4347044-1a95-4eac-9f4c-5e7a742f6b0a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1254ea2-41ec-46d1-b916-5358ef423a23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A hot toddy is not a rigid recipe. You can adjust the sweetness with sugar, maple syrup, or honey, and spice it up with cloves, cinnamon sticks, or nutmeg. Credits: Canva

5. A Favourite of Literary Greats

[{"selector":"#anim-f115ffb2-4f4a-4916-bbb4-d154e88c862c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-263cd6ca-82a2-45a8-8b6d-b9cebcbf9882","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 269.75295%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Canva The hot toddy has been immortalised in literature. Famous author Charles Dickens often mentioned the drink in his works.

6. Scientifically Backed Comfort

[{"selector":"#anim-96363954-a141-427d-a89c-88edae79bde8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ecc89b74-5cf8-42d7-b923-9d25c9d80a94","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While not a cure for the common cold, the hot toddy's ingredients provide scientifically supported comfort.

7. A Global Appeal

[{"selector":"#anim-20801b48-4e80-4390-825d-d6ad4eb01ff8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ddec25f-6c06-4d6a-a74f-10d070dce4b1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Versions of the hot toddy exist worldwide. In Ireland, it's called "hot Irish whisky." Scandinavians have "Glogg," and in the Caribbean, a similar concoction uses rum and tropical spices.

8. A Perfect Nightcap

[{"selector":"#anim-8d847ac3-8e97-4b80-8344-249acf17f24a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86e8551b-7f51-400b-9267-87096e0792d8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 384.44468%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Thanks to its calming properties, the hot toddy is a popular choice as a nightcap.

[{"selector":"#anim-6ca904d9-99f2-483c-a220-831c7bdc0f93","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e27201bb-ef6a-473d-8d08-d56e76033a5e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 520.44481%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Which of these facts surprised you the most?