This Hot Toddy is made with spiced rum, optional whiskey, pineapple, honey, and warm spices. It’s the perfect festive fall or winter drink to soothe the body or to simply enjoy with good company. Even better than the delicious taste, this warm drink has some great nutritional benefits too! Alcohol-Free mocktail recipe included.
A Festive Twist on a Classic
A few weeks ago, we were hit with an unexpected snowstorm that turned a 60°F day into a frigid 20°F. My studio, built in 1912, isn’t exactly known for modern heating, so out came the space heater, knit blanket, and a comforting hot toddy to warm up the day.
This isn’t your standard medicinal hot toddy—it’s rich, versatile, and has a tropical pineapple (versus apple) kick that brings a little warmth to even the coldest days. This warm, cozy drink is not only a winter favorite but also a go-to on those bitterly cold days.
Spiced Rum Hot Toddy Ingredients
Traditionally, an Irish hot toddy is a warm drink made with a mixture of honey, whiskey, and lemon. There are a lot of variations of it nowadays. It can be made using any type of strong booze, but typically, you’ll find whiskey, bourbon or rum hot toddies.
My ideal purpose for this recipe is to combine the yumminess of a Hot Butter Rum drink with the medicinal purposes of a hot toddy.
- Pineapple or orange juice
- Honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- Spiced rum and/or whiskey
- Ginger ale or sparkling water with ginger bitters
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Orange peel or slices, star anise, or cloves for garnish
Optional Additions
- Vanilla extract
- Non-dairy cream or warmed butter
How to Make a Spiced Rum Hot Toddy
In a small pot, combine pineapple juice, water, honey, ginger ale, and spiced rum (see recipe card for other options).
Set to medium heat and simmer for about 2 minutes until the honey fully dissolves.Add cinnamon sticks and any remaining spices, then reduce to low or medium-low heat.
Simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.If adding cream, butter, or vanilla extract for extra richness, mix them in now. Heat until well combined and smooth.
Pour the warm toddy into 2-3 glasses. Garnish with star anise, orange slices, and a dash of cinnamon for a festive touch. Enjoy!
Hot Toddy Mocktail
Repace 4 ounces of rum or whiskey with a 6 ounces of ginger or cinnamon herbal tea. Still warming for the soul!
Do Hot Toddies Really Work?
This cozy hot toddy isn’t just warming; it’s packed with ingredients that can help ease cold symptoms. Whiskey acts as a natural decongestant, helping open up the sinuses, while rum can improve circulation by gently thinning the blood.
Instead of added sugars, this recipe uses pineapple juice, which adds a dose of bromelain—a digestive enzyme that may help reduce inflammation and support better digestion. Plus, a moderate serving of rum (1.5-2 oz) is naturally gluten-free and contains antimicrobial properties, which could offer extra support during cold and flu season.
If you walked in the kitchen while I was making this for you, you’d smell the sweet aroma of citrus all bundled up with cozy cinnamon and a hint of honey. With these immune-boosting benefits and warming aroma, this hot toddy is a perfect winter treat that can bring a little extra wellness to your cozy evening.
More of Our Favorite
Cozy Hot Cocktails and Drink Recipes
Hot Toddy Recipe with Spiced Rum
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This hot toddy recipe is made with rum, pineapple, honey, and warm spices. It’s the perfect festive fall or winter drink to soothe the body or to simply enjoy with good company.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups pineapple juice or orange juice
- 2 cups water
- 3 Tablespoons honey (maple syrup for vegan option)
- 6 to 8 ounces spiced rum and/or whiskey (combine if desired)
- 8 ounces ginger ale or sparkling water with ginger bitters
- 2 cinnamon sticks and pinch of cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Orange peel or slices to garnish
- Star anise or whole cloves to garnish
Optional mix ins
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 oz non dairy cream or 2 Tablespoons butter (warmed)
Instructions
- Place juice, water, honey, ginger ale, and alcohol in a small pot on stove. Simmer on medium until combined and honey is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
- Add in cinnamon sticks and remaining spices. Continue simmering on low or medium low for another 5 minutes. If you are adding cream/butter and/or vanilla extract, do so here. Heat and stir until combined.
- Pour into 2-3 glasses and then garnish with star anise, orange slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Non-alcoholic hot toddy version – Repace 4 ounces of rum or whiskey with a 6 ounces of ginger or cinnamon herbal tea. Still warming for the soul!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: drink
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: American
This was delightful, thank you.
Wonderful! Thanks for feedback Anna
So good! Just was reminded to make these again soon!
Wow I had no idea that rum has health benefits! This sounds so warming and relaxing. I will keep this one e in mind for winter time. 🙂
You’d love!! Next winter for sure!
omg this could possibly be the best looking cocktail I have ever seen. pinning it and definitely making it for christmas. gahhhh I am drooling.
awesome! let me know if you do!
What if I don’t want the virgin version…holy hell that’s a tongue twister.
I love the sound of this drink, with or without the rum, even though I’d prefer the latter. Also, I adore pineapple and add frozen pineapple to my morning smoothies for my sweet factor and also the magical benefits of it. Super food indeed.
You’re on a roll, my friend!
Pineapples always remind me of summer and cinnamon always reminds me of fall. I think this is the perfect combination, because I love summer-ish drinks year round. Getting in some vitamins while having some rum is never a bad idea either.
Um, YUM!!! Psyched to learn that rum is a superfood 🙂 I’m all about this!
yep! so we better make it a daily consumption. Kidding.. kinda.
That looks so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not really a drinker but I do love me a coffee drink. It is just that I like my coffee HOT, not lukewarm, hot & drink them too fast! 🙂
Yum this sounds amazing! Perfect for a holiday cocktail.
You know… I’ve never had a rum toddy. This must change.
we must change that! 😉
Beautiful photos! I love hot toddys and I swear that they do keep winter colds at bay.
Totally! a must for winter.
You know I love hot toddies – this looks amazing!! Cheers!
so thought of you and kirk! hope i made you proud! haha
Woah, this looks amazing!! Love that you replaced the sugar with pineapple juice, and the coconut milk gives it a tropical yet holiday festive feel 🙂 Gorgeous pictures too! I’ll take all the immunity boosters I can get during the holidays too!
totally! and i think you’d love this. We have similar tastes. xxoo
Yum! I’ll be over for sure!!! 🙂
YES – I am coming over for a virgin hot toddy! Imagining that “citrus all bundled up with cozy cinnamon and a hint of honey” with the pineapple and coconut cream is intoxicating! Hehe – no pun intended!
haah love you! PUNNY!
You better believe I’d be up for that! Just be gentle — it’d be my first time 😉 I’ve never and a hot toddy before, but now you’ve got me all sorts of intrigued.
this would be perfect post snowboarding in the mountains…. DO IT!
I’ve never had a hot toddy! But, Ray’s dad makes this Swedish concoction of red wine and liquors and spices each year during the holidays, so strong, but so good.
oh man, i want ray’s dad to make me that!! please?
A Hot Toddy cures everything! 🙂
you know it! xxoo
I will TOTALLY come over for a Hot Toddy (for my health!) and girl chat. 🙂
yes, come tonight, ok?
Hot cocktails are a MUST at this time of year. In fact, it’s Friday — I’d like one NOW! 🙂 Cheers!
yes! cheers to that friend
Fruit juice makes this breakfast appropriate, yes?
yep! plus it’s 5 oclock somewhere
i have never had hot toddy but im convinced that this is a super food and i need this in my life..like pronto! and photography is just amazingggggggg 🙂
Yum! I don’t even like to drink and you got me hooked!
um WHY did it never ever occur to me I COULD whip this up virgin?!
You’ve outdone yourself! And I think you need to make this for me this weekend – just saying! Love that it’s healthy and the pictures are out of this world!