

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is pretty harsh right now. We just want to cozy up hygge-style and hibernate until spring. But for those days when you've braved the cold for a few minutes too long, we suggest a hot toddy.
A hot toddy may be an old wives' tale in terms of its healing abilities, but with its warm water, lemon, honey, and a dram of whiskey, it can actually be incredibly comforting.
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Lemon is packed with vitamin C and alkalizing properties, great for keeping your system in check and able to fend off sickness. Honey's antibacterial profile can help soothe a sore throat or bad cough and stop a nasty cold from getting worse. We decided to spice up our hot toddy with turmeric, too, to add another anti-inflammatory immunity booster to the equation. The bourbon is actually something of an antiseptic—plus it adds a warming element and rich flavor to your toddy.
Feel free to make this toddy sans alcohol for a warm drink you can sip throughout the day.
And if you happen to spill turmeric on a white surface (this stuff can stain like nobody's business), try putting it out in the sun after washing it with warm water or using a little lemon and vinegar as a mild bleach.
Turmeric Hot Toddy
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 to 1½ cups warm water
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Juice of ½ a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon
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Preparation
1. Pour warm water into a heatproof mug or glass. Add turmeric and stir well to make sure it's dissolved into the liquid.
2. Stir in honey, followed by lemon juice and bourbon and a splash of cool water (if needed to bring the temperature down a little). Sip while wearing your coziest of sweaters.
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Leah Vanderveldt is an author living in Brooklyn, New York. She received her bachelor’s in communications and media from Fordham University, and is certified in culinary nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She is the author of two cookbooks: The New Nourishing and The New Porridge.
Vanderveldt is a former food editor at mindbodygreen and has previously worked for Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Australian Home Beautiful.