| Drink | Rum toddy, hot rum drink |
| Rum | 2 dl Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva |
| Sweetness | 4 teaspoons heather honey |
| Water | 5 dl |
| Spices | 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 star anise, 6-8 slices of fresh ginger |
| Citrus | Juice from 2 juicy lemons and 2 juicy oranges |
| Served | In 4 preheated cups, garnished with lemon and star anise if desired |
METHOD
Blend ginger with water and pour the liquid into a small saucepan. Add the rest of the ingredients, with the exception of the rum, and heat to just below boiling point. Add the rum and remove the pot from the heat.
Take 4 preheated cups and distribute the liquid in them through a strainer. Garnish with lemon and star anise if desired.
Rum toddy history: from palm sap to hot drink
We have not found any documented history for our rum toddy. Toddy itself does have one. Wikipedia writes that the word comes from an Indian drink of fermented palm sap. The earliest known use of toddy for an alcoholic drink with hot water, sugar and spices is from 1786.
Today a hot toddy is typically a drink with spirits, usually whisky, hot water, honey or sugar, lemon and spices. It is traditionally drunk as a nightcap in wet or cold weather, or against a cold. Wikipedia also mentions grog as a similar rum-based drink found in several cultures. We do not promise it works against a cold, but it warms you up.
Our rum toddy and a typical hot toddy
| | Our recipe and a typical hot toddy |
| Alcohol | Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, 2 dl (ours) / usually whisky (Wikipedia) |
| Sweetness | Heather honey (ours) / honey or sugar (Wikipedia) |
| Flavour | Ginger, cinnamon, star anise, lemon and orange (ours) / lemon and spices, often cloves or cinnamon (Wikipedia) |
| Served | Hot, in preheated cups (ours) / hot (Wikipedia) |
Our version uses rum instead of whisky and gets more bite from ginger and orange.
About Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
| | Facts about the rum |
| Country | Venezuela |
| Strength | 40 percent |
| Distillation | 80 percent pot still and 20 percent column (Difford's Guide) |
| Age | The rums in the blend are up to 12 years old (Difford's Guide) |
| Producer | Destilerias Unidas S.A. (DUSA) |
| Master blender | Tito Cordero |
| Taste | Coffee, milk chocolate, liquorice, orange peel and brown sugar (Difford's Guide) |
According to Difford's Guide, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva was launched in 2004, and some of the rum is mixed with a little cane sugar before blending. Orange peel and brown sugar in the taste suit a toddy with orange and honey.
About the ingredients in your rum toddy
The rum is Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva. If you want more from the same house, you will find them under Diplomatico Rum. Heather honey, cinnamon sticks, ginger, star anise, lemons and oranges you can pick up at your ordinary grocery store.
Tips for your rum toddy
Heat only to just below boiling point and add the rum last, as the method says. Preheat the cups so the drink stays warm longer. Taste and add a little more honey or lemon if you want it sweeter or fresher. More for your home bar is under cocktail equipment for the home bar.
Our verdict on rum toddy
This is a drink for cold evenings when you want something hot with a bit of edge. Diplomático gives sweetness and spicy depth, and ginger and orange keep it fresh. It is easy to make for four.
Frequently asked questions about rum toddy recipe
What is a rum toddy?
A hot drink with rum, water, honey and spices. Our rum toddy is made with Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, heather honey, ginger, cinnamon and star anise.
What goes into a rum toddy recipe?
2 dl Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, 4 teaspoons heather honey, 5 dl water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6-8 slices of fresh ginger, 1 star anise and the juice from 2 lemons and 2 oranges.
How do you make a rum toddy?
Blend ginger with water and pour the liquid into a small saucepan. Add the rest except the rum and heat to just below boiling point. Add the rum and take the pan off the heat. Strain into preheated cups.
When do you add the rum?
Last, just before the pan comes off the heat. That is how our method has it.
How many cups does it make?
The recipe is for 4 preheated cups.
Where does the word toddy come from?
According to Wikipedia, the word comes from an Indian drink of fermented palm sap. The earliest known use of toddy for an alcoholic drink with hot water, sugar and spices is from 1786.
What is the difference between a rum toddy and a hot toddy?
A hot toddy is typically made with whisky, hot water, honey or sugar, lemon and spices. A rum toddy uses rum instead, and our version adds ginger, orange and star anise.
Which rum suits a rum toddy?
We use Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, which we describe as rich, sweet and fruity with a nutty and spicy character. That suits honey and spices.
Can I use another honey than heather honey?
Yes, but the taste changes. The recipe is made with heather honey.
Can you garnish a rum toddy?
Yes, the recipe suggests lemon and star anise.
Read more about cocktails
Find more cocktails with rum and all our drink recipes here at Whisky.dk. Also try Instant eggnog with Diplomático or Dark and Stormy. You can also read Wikipedia about hot toddy.
More drink
recipes
