Ok, here's the situation where I live.
It's cold, and until yesterday (or the day before that depending on when I post this) it was raining as though it was going out of fashion.
I have a couple of questions about that expression; "going out of fashion"- why would you want to have a lot of something if it was going out of fashion? If you loved it enough, why would you care if it was going out of fashion and just keep having more of it regardless? And if you didn't like whatever was going out of fashion, wouldn't you be anticipating something new and not want a lot of whatever it was that was going out of fashion?
Whoa, my head hurts. It's cold and my head hurts. Enough whining and enough random thoughts. Let's make a drink.
Let's make a spin on a traditional Hot Toddy which may or may not be guaranteed to cure a cold - (see previous link).
This version contains both apple brandy (Calvados) and apple cider in it. I don't know many people who have Calvados in their liquor cabinet (I only have it because I went through a classic cocktail phase - remember that? It lasted two months...) so normal brandy is more than fine to use here. I had some of that beautiful Honey Delight honey left over from desserts from a couple of weeks ago - boom! In that went too.
I like the apple vibe of this drink, it makes it seem less like a cold remedy and more like a warm, boozy hug - think fabulous, winter cocktail and not feral drunk guy from {insert local, dicey night club here}.
So like I said; it's cold outside and this drink will be sure to warm you up. It warmed me up (twice, if I am being honest).
Hot Apple Toddy
Recipe adapted from here
1 shot (30 ml) Calvados or brandy
1 tbsp honey
Juice from 1/4 lemon
1 250ml bottle of sparkling apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
apple wedge for garnish (optional)
Put the brandy, honey and lemon into a heat proof glass or mug and stir to combine.
Heat the cider and cinnamon stick over a medium heat until just before boiling.
Tip the cider over the brandy mix and stir to combine.
Garnish with the cinnamon stick and a wedge of apple.
Ooh your blog is looking a little different. I like the changes. Would you believe I've never had a hot toddy? This is something that may be appropriate for when you have a sore throat and I'm sure it would remedy one!
ReplyDeletePerfect weather for a hot toddy. I love the flavours in this. Will need ti grab me some brandy for a mix up :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to start the day!
ReplyDeleteI've never understood that phrase. (Total side note... have you ever seen Sweet Home Alabama? I love when she says, "I've never understood that phrase, but no... I'm not shitting you.")
ReplyDeleteI do, however, perfectly understand why the weather lately would make you want a Hot Toddy. Love it!
OMG I love that line! I love the emphasis on "shitting" that she uses! I haven't seen that movie for ages!
DeleteHot alcoholic drinks remind me of gluhwein and ski lodges. Well, the closest I'll get to snow this year is via a hot toddy, so bottoms up!
ReplyDeleteOh yes that rain. Thank goodness that it stopped because our washing was on the line for 5 days! I should have had a cup of this to wash away the rainy blues!
ReplyDeleteWell, since I live on the Southern Highlands of NSW, I bet I am colder at the moment than you :( ! And that hot toddy sounds wonderful at 9 pm, but the brandy bottle is empty and no cider in the house either!! Some purchasing necessary tomorrow and it will be Calvados, 'cause fell in love with it many moons ago . . .
ReplyDeleteOkay, I know this is about the toddy, but... Sweet Home Alabama has to be one of my favorite movies. "I'm just sayin', that's all..."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, back to the toddy - it sounds great and I like the apple-y-ness of it, too. And there are many reasons those ingredients help with a cold, not the least of which that 2 (or 3) glasses full will simply make you forget that you have a cold... or a nose... or a throat... ~ David
This sounds like the perfect antidote to the current weather....and sounds really delicious!!
ReplyDeleteYum...love anything with apples (or calvados) During my two weeks of cooking classes at le cordon bleu in Paris, Chef made us have a glass of Calvados before class started. After having to walk to class in the dark (7:30AM) in minus 4C it brought the feeling back to our toes. BRRRR Bring on the toddys! Glad its finally stopped raring too! Nice blog BTW. Corrie.
ReplyDeleteI have also never got the phrase 'going out of fashion' I always thought people overdid something which was going out of fashion cos they felt they won't be able to do it anymore...whoa do not want to hurt your head further....just my two pence to the confusion....bwt love the drink...right now the sun is out in London, but you never know when it will suddenly get cold and rainy...and come to think of it I have never had a toddy, so time I tried :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, I’m impressed
ReplyDeleteThis sounds exactly like a drink I need at the moment! Which reminds me, I boiled the kettle an hour ago... *sigh* Might see if I can make something similar with mead... no brandy or calvados here, but mead I have.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking if it's going out of fashion, you won't be able to get it soon and thus you have to stock up. Which would then make sense.
ReplyDeleteAlso - it has been miserably cold and rainy these few days, I could so do with a hot boozy drink like this!
i love warm apple drinks so this sounds very warming indeed! love it :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is hot toddy weather, such a yummy version.
ReplyDeleteThis is like... the perfect winter drink. Where has this been all my life?!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted a bottle of Calvados...after I read about it in an apple-based recipe. Just like how coffee liqueur boosts the coffee-ess of desserts exponentially, I expect Calvados would do the same for the apple factor.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hot in New York, but these still look awesome! I love a good hot toddy when it's cold :-)
ReplyDeleteDelicious. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteI've added you to my blog as part of a post.