[Foodie Friday Recipe] Evergreen Spiced Herbal Hot Toddy

Fight off colds and warm up this winter with this delicious herbal hot toddy recipe. And don’t worry – if you’re looking for a less “adult” version, we’ve got you covered!

There’s nothing like a hot toddy on a cold winter evening – especially if you’re feeling a little under the weather! This tasty warming beverage helps to open up the sinus and relieve stubborn congestion – and it also includes some beneficial immune-boosting ingredients to help kick out any nasty cold germs that may be trying to gain a foothold in your system.

Hot toddies aren’t just for when you are sick, either; many people use them to help prevent respiratory illnesses, or simply to warm up on a cold winter day.

Hot toddies traditionally include whiskey, but may also be made with rum or other  spirits. A small amount of alcohol can be warming and relaxing, but don’t overdo it. Too much can actually have the opposite effect, clogging your sinuses and causing restless sleep. If you would prefer to omit the alcohol from this hot toddy recipe, feel free to do so – or substitute kombucha or a small amount of vinegar instead for a healthy kick.

Rose hips and honey help to soothe the throat, while fresh ginger juice, cinnamon, and cloves add a warming effect and help clear the sinuses. (If you don’t have access to fresh ginger juice, just use minced fresh ginger and simmer with the other spices.) This recipe also includes an interesting winter ingredient: evergreen needles! These help to serve as a decongestant for the lungs and sinuses. You can use just about any evergreen needles, except for the Yew tree – just make sure to avoid any trees that have been sprayed with chemicals.

Evergreen Spiced Herbal Hot Toddy Recipe

Serves: 1
Total Time: 10-15 min.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup cherry juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 5 whole rose hips (or 1 teaspoon dried and seeded rose hips)
• 2 pinches evergreen needles (about 2 grams)
• 1/2 ounce fresh ginger juice (or 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger)
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
• 1 ounce spirits (whisky, scotch, brandy, vodka), 1 ounce kombucha, or 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Add the water, cherry juice, cinnamon, cloves, rose hips, and evergreen needles to a small saucepan.
2. Simmer, covered, on low heat for 10 minutes.
3. In a small glass (or mug) add the fresh ginger juice, slice of lemon, honey, and spirits (or vinegar).
4. Strain the herbs from the simmering mixture.
5. Pour the hot liquid into the glass or mug. (If using a glass, then pour the hot liquid onto a metal spoon to prevent the glass from cracking.)
6. Stir well.
7. Enjoy while warm.

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Recipe Source: https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/hot-toddy-recipe/

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