The Winter Solstice Toddy
The Occasion: Celebrating the Longest Night of the Year
The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, marks the official beginning of winter. It’s a great time to cozy up by the fire, sip on a warm beverage, and appreciate and reflect on the quiet beauty of the season. To celebrate this special occasion, we’ve created a comforting and flavorful cocktail: the Winter Solstice Toddy.
The Cocktail: The Winter Solstice Toddy
➡️2.0 oz (60 ml) Winter Spice-infused Bourbon (see below)
➡️0.5 oz (15 ml) Lemon Juice
➡️2 tsp Honey
➡️Hot water (to taste)
➡️Garnish: A clove-studded lemon slice
➡️Glass: A handled mug
➡️Preparation:
- Warm a mug with hot water, then dump the water
- Add the first three ingredients to the warm mug
- Add hot water to taste and garnish with the clove-studded lemon slice
➡️Winter Spice-Infused Bourbon: Add 24 ounces of Bourbon, 18 whole cloves, three cinnamon sticks, and two star anise pods to a large glass jar with a lid and let infuse for 24 hours, then strain and pour into a bottle (such as the empty Bourbon bottle, or a swing-top bottle with a lid). Make sure to label the bottle properly. Keeps indefinitely in a cool, dry place.
➡️Advice & Tips: Experiment with different or additional spices to your infusion, such as nutmeg, cardamom, allspice berries, or ginger. Black peppercorns, red chili flakes, and bay leaves may be combined with cloves to create a bolder, spicier infusion.
Also, consider making extra of the infused Bourbon, then strain and poor into smaller 8-oz swing-top bottles, add a label you’ve designed and printed, and hand them out as holiday gifts.
The Story: Why This Cocktail?
The Winter Solstice Toddy is a classic winter warmer, perfect for chilly nights. It’s really just a small tweak to a standard Hot Toddy with the addition of the infused Bourbon. That’s one of our goals here at Cocktail Cadre: helping you elevate your home bartending game through small tricks and tips to create something unique and unexpected. The rich, spicy flavors of the bourbon, combined with the tartness of the lemon and the sweetness of the honey, create a comforting and delicious drink. It’s a simple yet elegant cocktail that captures the essence of the season.
So, as we welcome the winter solstice, let’s raise a glass to warmth, comfort, and the beauty of the season. Cheers!