Hot Toddy Day is celebrated tomorrow, on 11th January, and it’s the perfect time of year to get cosy in front of the fire and enjoy this warm, unique drink. Read on to learn more about Hot Toddy Day.
A brief history
This drink’s small but interesting history begins in the British colonial era. It is understood that the drink’s origins can be found in India, where the sap from a native tree was combined with a spirit, water and sugar. The Hindu word for this drink was ‘tārī’, and even though this was a drink served cold, it is thought to possibly be where the term ‘toddy’ comes from.
It is widely believed that the drink developed into being served hot for medicinal purposes. Another potential origin of the name ‘toddy’ comes from an Irish doctor called Robert Todd, who, in the 18th century, prescribed hot brandy with cinnamon, sugar and water. Its popularity as a supposed cure for ailments spread around the world.
How to celebrate
The hot toddy is a special drink because it consists of a heated combination of different spirits – usually brandy, whiskey or rum. Today, there are many varieties of the drink, with people using different spirits, spices and sugars to tailor it to their tastes. Surely, the best way to celebrate the day is to enjoy your own version of this warming drink. Serving the drink in an engraved tankard would add an extra personal touch.
Why not shut out the cold, winter weather and enjoy a hot toddy with friends and family on this special day?