hot toddy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “hot toddy” mean?
A warming drink made with liquor (such as whisky, rum, or brandy), hot water, sugar/honey, and often spices like cloves or lemon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A warming drink made with liquor (such as whisky, rum, or brandy), hot water, sugar/honey, and often spices like cloves or lemon.
The drink is traditionally consumed as a remedy for colds or flu, or simply as a comforting beverage in cold weather. It can metaphorically represent comfort, warmth, or a home remedy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core concept is identical. The base spirit might vary regionally (e.g., Scotch whisky more common in UK, Bourbon or rye whisky in US). The term is equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Strong connotations of traditional folk medicine, grandmotherly care, and cozy, old-fashioned comfort in both cultures.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, spiking in usage during winter months or in discussions of home remedies. Slightly more lexicalized as a fixed compound in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hot toddy” in a Sentence
have [a] hot toddymake [someone] a hot toddydrink [a] hot toddybrew [a] hot toddyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hot toddy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Might appear in hospitality/tourism marketing for winter packages.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical or cultural studies of food, drink, or folk medicine.
Everyday
Primary context. Used in casual conversation about cold weather, illness, or cozy relaxation.
Technical
Used in bartending/mixology contexts to refer to a specific category of hot cocktails.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hot toddy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hot toddy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hot toddy”
- Using 'hot toddy' to refer to any hot drink (e.g., tea or coffee).
- Misspelling as 'hot tody' or 'hot toddie'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'Let's hot toddy').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes. While non-alcoholic versions exist (sometimes called 'cheater toddies'), the standard definition includes a spirit like whisky or rum.
A hot toddy is typically a single-serving drink made with a distilled spirit, hot water, and sweetener. Mulled wine is made with wine, is often served in larger quantities (like a punch), and includes more spices.
Yes, though it's less traditional. Whisky, rum, and brandy are the classic bases. Using vodka creates a different flavour profile, as it lacks the barrel-aged notes of the traditional spirits.
The word 'toddy' originally came from the Hindi 'tārī', referring to the sap of the palmyra tree, fermented into an alcoholic beverage. The term was borrowed into English and later applied to various mixed drinks.
A warming drink made with liquor (such as whisky, rum, or brandy), hot water, sugar/honey, and often spices like cloves or lemon.
Hot toddy is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Hot toddy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒt ˈtɒdi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːt ˈtɑːdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; the term itself is a fixed noun phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TODDY' sounds like 'toasty' and 'body'. A HOT TODDY makes your BODY feel TOASTY.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS COMFORT / WARMTH IS HEALING
Practice
Quiz
A 'hot toddy' is best described as: