Hot Toddy Spiced Citrus (Printable)

Comforting blend of honey, citrus, and spices creating a warm, cozy drink for chilly nights.

# Ingredient List:

→ Citrus & Sweetener

01 - 1 lemon, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
02 - 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)

→ Spices

03 - 2 cinnamon sticks
04 - 4 whole cloves
05 - 2 thin slices fresh ginger

→ Liquids

06 - 2 cups hot water
07 - Optional: 1 black tea bag (for a richer flavor)

# Directions:

01 - Combine hot water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger in a small saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat for 5 minutes.
02 - Remove from heat, add lemon slices, and steep for 2 minutes.
03 - Place a tea bag in your mug if using, pour the hot spiced mixture over it, steep for 2-3 minutes, then discard the tea bag.
04 - Stir in honey or maple syrup until fully dissolved.
05 - Strain the liquid into mugs, garnish with additional lemon slices or a cinnamon stick, and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it all day.
  • The spice combination hits that sweet spot between warm and soothing without being medicinal.
  • You can adjust honey and citrus to match your mood, so it never feels like the same drink twice.
02 -
  • Don't skip the initial simmer of just water and spices—boiling everything together at once will make the cloves taste sharp and metallic instead of warm.
  • If you're adding tea, keep it out of the spice-simmering stage or you'll over-steep it and end up with something closer to bitter medicine than comfort.
03 -
  • Slice your lemon just before you need it so the juice hasn't had time to oxidize and turn the flavor one-dimensional.
  • Keep extra cinnamon sticks around because they're worth using as a stirrer—it softens them and gives you something wonderful to chew on after you've finished drinking.

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