Nothing beats a good hot toddy when it comes to fending off the chill! That is, if you know how to make it properly… This beekeeper shared his secret for making a honey-based hot toddy that is as comforting as it is effective.
Honey, lemon, rum, cinnamon… these are the components of a well-loved home remedy: the iconic hot toddy. A staple warm drink during winter, the hot toddy is recommended at the first sign of a chill, to soothe a sore throat or treat a cold. “It nips the germs in the bud!“, your grandmother used to say. And she wasn’t entirely wrong. Although no studies have proven this concoction’s effectiveness in combating various winter ailments, its ingredients are all known for their beneficial properties. Rich in Vitamin C, lemon acts as a disinfectant and boosts immunity, honey has antibacterial and soothing properties that ease throat pain, cinnamon is an excellent antioxidant, and rum also has disinfectant and decongestant properties. Unfortunately, a common mistake often undermines these valuable benefits…
“It alters their properties“
Most hot toddy recipes are quite similar: heat one part rum with two parts hot water, the juice of one lemon, and a cinnamon stick. Then, you strain this mixture, which should be drunk while steaming to warm up. Here’s where the problem lies: “Heat alters the properties of honey, explains Xavier Dalle, a beekeeper-harvester in Loiret (45). To preserve its virtues, it should not exceed 40°C.” The same goes for lemon juice, whose vitamins may be destroyed if the water is too hot. Ideally, one should boil the water, rum, and cinnamon stick separately, then remove from the heat and let the mixture infuse and cool down gently. Only then should you add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey.
Alternatively, the beekeeper has found another, even more effective method: “I add a spoonful of honey to sweeten my drink and eat another spoonful just as it is“, he shares. With this trick, you get to enjoy the taste and maximize the benefits!
