Healthy Hot Toddy

Drink this hot cup of honey-lemon-ginseng-spirited liquid comfort on chilly evenings. It warms the body and the soul. A special green tea is the secret. Get the recipe.

Have you enjoyed a hot toddy lately? Maybe it's time. This comforting calm in a cup is the perfect balance of tart and sweet with hints of lemon and honey. And the upper in green tea and downer in whiskey cancel each other out, right? More importantly, there are great polyphenols in both green tea and whiskey. So, an occasional hot toddy makes for a great nightcap when the weather turns colder. Read on for the recipe.

A while back, a friend of mine from Colorado gifted me a bottle of is home state's famous Stranahan's whiskey. Thank you, Kevin! It was good to the last drop. And, while I love a good whiskey on a rock, my favorite way to enjoy this barrel-aged spirit is in a smooth-sipping hot toddy.

I make mine with a special green tea flavored with honey and ginseng. This tea gives it a sophisticated edge over other hot toddies. Trust me! The tea I originally used for this drink was Kroger's house brand Private Selection honey lemon ginseng green tea. But, wouldn't you know it, they discontinued this tea. Why is it that everything I like gets discontinued? Anyway, a close alternative is Republic of Teas. They have a honey ginseng green tea that is excellent. If you prefer bags, try Celestial Seasonings honey lemon ginseng green tea. Both are great for this recipe.

As for whiskey, any whiskey will do. If you can't find Stranahan's, use Crown, Woodford Reserve, or even Jack Daniels. And please measure the alcohol, because too much can be bad.

Finally, remember Dr. Gundry allows a little bit of honey on the Plant Paradox Yes list. Please keep it to one teaspoon daily due to the sugar content. The oligosaccharides (sugar fibers) in honey are great, but too much honey can spike your blood sugar. If you like your tea sweeter after adding just one teaspoon of honey, try a few drops of stevia or monk fruit extract. You'll still get that honey taste, but the added sweetness will come from a zero-sugar source.

Okay, let's get on to the recipe, shall we? Let's go, LFG!

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The Healthy Hot Toddy Recipe

LFG Hot Toddy

8 oz Brewed Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea

1 oz Stranahan's Whiskey

1 tsp Raw Local Honey

1-2 tsp Lemon Juice

Step 1: Brew Tea

Insert tea bag or diffuser with loose tea into cup of boiling hot water. Let steep five minutes.

Step 2: Add Whiskey

Measure on ounce whiskey. Pour into cup of hot tea.

Step 3: Add Honey and Lemon Juice

Add one teaspoon of honey and one or two teaspoons of lemon juice to taste. If you like your tea a bit sweeter, feel free to add a few drops of pure stevia or monk fruit extract.

Garnish with thin lemon slices, put on your slippers and sip. ENJOY!