hot toddy
 
For those of us who've been consistently looking forward to the sunshine, only to receive sucker punches of rain and chilly wind again and again, there's this: the restorative quality of a Hot Toddy. It's entirely unseasonal, and so is this nasty weather. At this point, just a touch of cold is enough to call for a hot drink. Plus, with the stop-and-start temperature of spring, a lot of us are getting sniffly. Lemon and honey are traditional ingredients to help soothe a cold, but the bourbon is the real kicker, which helps the medicine go down nice and easy. Add a couple shots of hot, boiling water and you've got yourself one very civilized cold remedy.
 
bourbon = healing
 
There are endless variations to this drink. Some like Scotch, others Rye or Rum, so go with what you've got. There's even this tasty variation in the magazine that calls for a baked apple and some Calvados. I like the proportions of this drink, but you can add more honey if you prefer a sweeter drink. Or more bourbon if you want to be knocked out until it's warm again. 
 
Bourbon Hot Toddy
1 1/2 oz bourbon
juice of 1/2 lemon, about 3/4 oz
2 oz hot water
1 teaspoon honey
 
Boil water. In the meantime, pour bourbon and lemon juice into your favorite mug. Add in the hot water and stir in the honey. Sip, lie back and relax.

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