The hunt for the perfect Hot Toddy

Recently, my girlfriend was laid up on my couch complaining about how she was coming down with something. My first thought was to cover my mouth and order HVAC supplies to quarantine her. Visions of men in space suits speaking scientific mumbo jumbo startled me, and prompted a more caring response.

Frantic, I channeled my inner Becky Homecky and whipped up a batch of our ultra potent veggie soup from scratch. I figured, with her runny nose a make-out session wasn’t on the menu, so why not add four tons of garlic (a natural antibiotic and nasty breath bomb) to the recipe? Done. What next…

My teakettle was shouting at me, so I reached across the stove to settle it down. A hot cup of green tea with honey would do the trick. That’s when a gloriously brilliant idea manifested, courtesy of the closet of spirits I recently started collecting.  I decided to try my hand at making a hot toddy. Drinking for health? Who knew.

Here it goes. Amy Lynn’s Last-Minute Hot Toddy Treat: 

1. Hot Celestial Seasonings decaf green tea

2. A tablespoon of honey (or get wild with it if your throat hurts)

3. Half a lemon (drop one slice in to make it pretty, and then squeeze the rest for the juice)

4. 2 ounces of Stranahan’s whisky (I also like Knob Creek Kentucky Bourbon, but try to keep it local)

5. Splash of Grand Marnier

6. Stir with a cinnamon stick to get the flavor, avoid the chunky mess from the grounded version

7. Serve in a fat tacky mug, preferably with some embarrassing Cathy comic or hideous cat plastered to the side

8. Enjoy!

Needless to say, my sweetheart was back to her old self in no time, sporting a comical little buzz for my entertainment on a Sunday night.

Although the history of the toddy is elusive, we know it’s made up of competing elements that you’d expect to get into a bar brawl; instead, they mix and mingle just fine. Whisky, typically known for making people feisty (you know who you are), is magically mellow when it blends with hot tea, or sometimes warmed spiced milk. The sweet taste of honey is balanced by bitter, sour splashes of fresh lemon. Even the temperature of the toddy is contradicting to the cool refreshing reason we typically order a drink.

Without launching into a cliché ode to changing of the seasons, I will simply say that a hot toddy is the perfect concoction for a chilly time of year. A great toddy shouldn’t be limited to nights in, but should be enjoyed out and about town. Although you can get a hot toddy anywhere they offer generous libations and have access to hot water, I’ve been searching around my local bars all week for bartender brilliance to share with you, my thirsty friend.

Let’s start with Rooster and Moon, in the Golden Triangle neighborhood. R&M is one of my very favorite places in town. Not only is the food surprisingly gourmet for the low prices, the owners Jamie and Bode surround themselves with staff I love catching up with (read: they’re friendly, smart and quirky). From time to time, they’ll feature some specialty drinks; try them. The tea selection is formidable, and I’m no stranger to yerba matte lattes. Ask them to spice up any tea drinks with their wide variety of liquors and settle in to catch up on reading, a chat with a friend, or to enjoy their tomato soup solo.

Looking for something a bit hardier? Recently, Attivo – Italian pizza shop – moved into the Beauvallon for more space. I’m an advertising snob and was a bit turned off by their expected green and red, outdated, branding that screams “We’re Italian!” Yawn. However, this place makes their bread fresh in-house, and offers sauces that would make my Grandma Zappia wave a wooden spoon in the air with delight. I ventured in one recent snowy night, wearing my beret, to see a new artists work and jot down poetic yearnigns (such a tortured soul, I tell you). I scolded Alex, my new bartender friend, for not having a hot pot to create a toddy. With a sharpie he wrote “Hot Toddy” on his hand as a reminder to fix the situation ASAP. He proceeded to quell my concerns with a small glass filled with a few flavors of bitters to balance out the sweet of the whisky he selected. The lack of hot water amplified the alcohol’s flavor and warmth to taste. The drink was finished with a twist of orange peel – fancy – and when paired with pasta, I was one happy lady.

Attivo may be new to you, but let’s be honest; my next recommendation – City O’City – is no stranger to being acknowledged for food and drink. I wasn’t in love with the revamp in décor. Call me crazy, but it feels like two different restaurants and that can confuse a persons’ ambiance meter. Silly. However, the revamp brought a new menu and to it, a hot toddy that’s worth a special trip. Recently, I sat with my friend Laura on a chilly Saturday afternoon and loved this lemony creation so much that I ordered a second (er, third) one.  They add a surprising chunk of fresh ginger that spices it up and is visually appealing.  Finish up and hit one of the shops along the 13th Avenue strip, or maybe take a stroll down the hill to the Denver Art Museum.

Over city living? It’s “skiboarding” season, and I’m sure you’re hankering for some mountain time. I have the perfect spot for you to catch a toddy post slopes. A bit off the beaten path, there’s a little place called South Park Saloon in Alma.  As with all mountain bars, you can run into a whole host of characters, so keep your wits about you. However, I usually meet some good folks here. Off of Highway 9, this quaint dive bar has served as my port in the storm on many cold nights. One particular evening, the bartender offered a tray of delicious hot toddies to a group of frozen friends. Perhaps it was because we just dug our way out of a snow bank, and the blood really wasn’t circulating that well, but these drinks were brilliant. They choose to fill the hot liquid with cloves and a strong dose of nutmeg. It was only missing a partridge in a pear tree to complete Christmas in a cup.

I can’t complete my recommendations without suggesting a stop at bLush on Colfax. I have memories of this little establishment from when I first moved to Denver, a baby bisexual looking to be around women-seeking-women. Well, a lot has changed since those screenings of The L Word and rumor has it, they’re looking to expand their space. I’m always a fan of supporting community establishments, and I was happy to find that the re-branded bLush hasn’t lost its roots in great whisky.  Further, the coffee machine turns from day to night, allowing the bartender liberty to heat it up, should you desire.

I’m all about creation when it comes to what goes into my cup. I think we get so settled in the way things are, that we become predictable drones and default to imbibing on a whim. “I’ll have Bud Light in a pitcher,” says the lesbian in flannel. “I’ll have a vodka soda – less carbs!” says the gay boy with a wink.  I’ve warmed up to the philosophy behind the toddy, because it reminds us that competing elements can go blissfully together.  So for the season, try hanging up your go-to drink and try something new. Hell, you might end up with one less runny nose as a reward for bravery. Bottoms up!