Modern Hot Toddy
Think of this drink as the darker, richer cousin to the classic hot toddy. Choose an amaro with citrus notes that is medium in body and bitterness, and use a six-ounce serving vessel. (The smaller size will help the drink retain heat.) Warming the serving vessel and the ingredients themselves helps to keep the hot toddy, well, hot, but if you’re keen on skipping one of the steps to a superiorly hot toddy, make it warming the ingredients — and drink with the urgency that choice demands.
- Total:
- Serves: 1 person
Ingredients
- 1teaspoon (or 1 individual bag) strong black loose-leaf tea, such as English breakfast
- 1to 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ¾ounce medium-bodied rum, preferably gold
- ¾ounce amaro, such as Ramazzotti or Averna
- ½ounce fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slice, to finish
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Fill a 6-ounce heatproof mug or glass with boiling water and set aside, 1 minute.Step 2
Pour out the water, then add a tea bag or strainer and sugar to the warmed glass. Top with 4 ounces boiling water.Step 3
As the tea steeps, set another small heatproof mug or glass in a small saucepan or baking dish. Pour more boiling water around it, so the water comes halfway up the sides. Add the rum and amaro to the mug, and allow to sit and warm through.Step 4
Once the tea has steeped for 3 to 5 minutes, remove the tea bag or strainer, add the now-warmed rum and amaro mixture, stirring to ensure the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice and finish with a lemon slice. Serve immediately.