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The hot toddy is one of my favorite winter drinks. It’s simple and easy-to-make, but in the cold months, no drink is better at warming up a cold body – whether you’ve spent a day skiing, a few hours shoveling snow, or just a few moments walking from your house to the corner shop (or from your car to the supermarket.)

I’d planned to write about the hot toddy sometime this winter, but with the unusually early winter storm the Northeast just suffered, now seems like as good a time as any. (And luckily, we wrote about Halloween drinks earlier this month… though if Zombies aren’t your speed, I’d suggest mixing a large batch of any sort of drink you’d like in a punch bowl, along with a good-sized lump of dry ice. Instant witches’ brew. Your Halloween party will be just fine.)

Even if whiskey isn’t your thing, I suggest you learn to make these. Whether you need a nightcap to make after a date (a hot toddy works wonders in that scenario) or a before-dinner drink for party guests during a snowstorm, serving these is magic — sort of an adult version of the hot chocolate your parents would serve you during a snowstorm. If the hot chocolate made you drunk.

• 1.5 oz whiskey (Any kind will work, but I usually prefer something sweet – either a bourbon or an Irish whiskey like Jameson. Scotch works, too, but then you’ll get a smoky toddy.)
• 4 oz. hot (nearly boiling) water
• 1 tsp. honey (sugar would be a good substitute)
• 1 slice lemon
• 6-8 cloves (optional)

Heat water in a kettle, or pour 4 oz. water into a microwave-safe mug and heat for 60-90 seconds on high, until almost boiling. Add honey (or sugar) to water, and stir until dissolved. Add whiskey, and stir. If desired, stud lemon slice with 6-8 full cloves.  Squeeze lemon into drink, drop lemon slice into drink, and serve.