Best Whisky for a Hot Toddy: 4 Scotch Picks for Winter (2026)
Best Whisky for a Hot Toddy This Bonfire Night
Buying Guides
4 min readDeepak Bali
“Quick answer: The best whisky for a hot toddy is a smooth, unpeated Scotch with plenty of honey and fruit, so it blends with lemon and spice instead of fighting them. Our top pick is Glenlivet 12. Aberlour 12, Singleton 12 and Jura 14 are great alternatives, all from £34.99.
When the fireworks are over and your fingers are numb, nothing beats a hot toddy. It’s a Scottish winter classic: whisky, hot water, honey and lemon, with a few spices if you like. It takes two minutes and needs no special kit.
The secret is choosing the right whisky. A heavily smoky Islay malt can taste medicinal once it’s mixed with hot water and lemon. A soft, honeyed Speyside lets everything shine.
Smoky or smooth: which whisky works best in a hot toddy?
A smooth, unpeated Speyside such as Glenlivet 12 or Aberlour 12 lets the honey and lemon come through. A smoky Islay malt can overpower a toddy, so save the peat for sipping neat.
The classic hot toddy recipe
Serves 1 · Ready in 3 minutes
50ml smooth Scotch whisky
1 to 2 teaspoons runny honey (to taste)
15ml fresh lemon juice (about a quarter of a lemon)
150ml hot water (just off the boil)
A lemon slice studded with 3 cloves
A cinnamon stick (optional)
Method:
Warm the glass. Fill a heatproof glass or mug with hot water, leave it for a minute, then pour it away. A warm glass keeps the drink hot for longer.
Written by
Deepak Bali
I’ve been exploring whisky since 1996, combining nearly three decades of knowledge and firsthand tasting experience. In 1999, my master’s degree work focused on my own whisky website. Every whisky I review is personally tasted, independently assessed and scored out of 100 using a consistent five-stage framework. My judgement is guided by what’s in the glass, never by brand reputation or price.
Mix the base. Add the honey and lemon juice, and stir until the honey loosens.
Add the whisky, then top up with the hot water. Use water just off the boil, not boiling, which can dull the whisky’s flavour.
Garnish with the clove-studded lemon slice and the cinnamon stick. Stir and let it sit for a minute so the spices infuse.
Tip: taste before you add more honey. A good whisky brings its own sweetness.
The 4 best whiskies for a hot toddy
Whisky
Why it works in a toddy
Price*
Glenlivet 12
Honey and pear, a perfect match for lemon
£34.99
Aberlour 12 Double Cask
Apple and spice, like a mulled toddy
£35.99
Singleton 12
Sweet and nutty, extra smooth
£34.99
Jura 14
Toffee and vanilla, rich and mellow
£34.99
*Prices at the time of writing.
1. Glenlivet 12 Year Old: best all-round hot toddy whisky
Soft, fruity and completely unpeated, Glenlivet 12 is the easiest whisky to get right in a toddy. Its pineapple, pear and honey notes sit perfectly with the lemon, and the creamy vanilla rounds everything off.
2. Aberlour 12 Double Cask: best for a spiced toddy
Aberlour’s red apple, honey and gentle spice come from sherry and traditional oak casks, so it already tastes a bit like a mulled drink. Use it with the cinnamon and cloves, or in the spiced apple twist below.
The Singleton is made to be easy-going, with a sweet, rounded, slightly nutty character. In a toddy, it disappears into the honey and lemon to give a silky, gentle drink. It’s ideal for anyone new to whisky.
From the Isle of Jura, this 14-year-old brings toffee, vanilla and honey with a mellow warmth. It makes a fuller, richer toddy, best for late in the evening by the fire.
Want to explore more soft, fruity whiskies? Browse our Speyside whiskies.
Which whiskies to avoid in a toddy
Heavily peated Islay whiskies, like Laphroaig 10, can taste medicinal with hot water and lemon. Very old or expensive whiskies are best enjoyed neat, because their subtle flavours get lost in the mix.
Three Bonfire Night twists
Spiced apple toddy: swap the hot water for warm cloudy apple juice and use Aberlour 12. Add a cinnamon stick.
Ginger toddy: add three thin slices of fresh ginger to the glass before the hot water. It adds a warming, zesty kick.
Flask toddy for the display: make a batch at home with Glenlivet 12 and pour it into a pre-warmed flask. Add the lemon slice when you serve it. (Leave the flask with whoever isn’t lighting the fireworks.)
Hot toddy tips
Use runny honey. It dissolves faster than set honey.
Don’t use boiling water. Water just off the boil keeps the whisky’s flavour.
Fresh lemon only. Bottled juice tastes flat.
Keep the measures sensible. 50ml is a generous double. Use 25ml for a lighter drink.
FAQs
What is the best whisky for a hot toddy?
A smooth, unpeated Scotch such as Glenlivet 12. Its honey and fruit notes blend with the lemon and spice instead of overpowering them.
Can you use smoky whisky in a hot toddy?
You can, but heavy peat can taste medicinal with lemon and hot water. If you like a hint of smoke, try a lightly peated whisky in small amounts.
Can I use blended Scotch in a hot toddy?
Yes. A blend makes a perfectly good toddy. A single malt like Glenlivet 12 or Aberlour 12 adds more flavour for not much more money.
How much whisky goes in a hot toddy?
Between 25ml and 50ml per glass, depending on how strong you like it.
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