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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup

    Modified: May 6, 2025 · Published: Jan 31, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Bourbon Maple Hot Toddy.

    Whether you're coming in from a day of ice skating or are chilly from shoveling snow, this cozy and delicious Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup is the perfect sip to warm you up on a cold day. 

    A mug of bourbon hot toddy.

    Disclaimer: I originally published a version of this post and recipe for the print and digital editions of the Grand Rapids Magazine January/February 2023 issue. 

    One part classic hot toddy and one part Old Fashioned cocktail, this cold weather drink takes your favorite bourbon and sweetens it up using fresh orange juice and a little maple syrup. Black walnut bitters add some warm spice and keep that sweetness in check for this hot toddy recipe. 

    If you’re used to a hot toddy being only for colds or tasting too medicinal, this recipe is here to change that. Leaving out the honey and lemon slice - two popular flavors for cough drops and cough syrups - means this bourbon hot toddy with maple syrup stands on its own as a unique winter drink. No sore throat necessary.

    Like to snack while you sip? Me too! This warm, cozy drink goes really well with my Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese phyllo cups.

    What's in a Bourbon Hot Toddy  

    Ingredients for a maple bourbon hot toddy - bourbon, maple syrup, orange, hot water, black walnut bitters.
    • Bourbon - Pick your favorite bourbon for this cocktail.
    • Pure maple syrup - Skip the pancake syrup and use 100% pure maple syrup in your hot toddy.
    • An orange - You need the juice from the orange, plus a large slice for garnish, so only a fresh orange will do. You need about half an orange per drink.
    • Black walnut bitters - Walnut bitters add a delicious flavor to this cocktail. Use aromatic bitters if you don't have black walnut bitters on hand. (Read: Elevate Your Cocktails with Bitters)

    How to Make a Bourbon Hot Toddy (Step by Step)

    Combine bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and bitters in a mug. 

    Orange juice being poured into a mug.

    Top with hot water. 

    Hot water being poured into a mug.

    Stir and garnish with a slice of fresh orange. 

    A slice of orange being placed in a mug of hot toddy.

    Sip and enjoy! 

    Looking for More Bourbon Cocktail Recipes?

    If you love bourbon, give one of these cocktails a try. This coffee old fashioned is my go-to nightcap and a favorite recipe from my book. These bourbon ginger cocktails are light and sparkling, and a perfect excuse to drink bourbon on a hot day (it's not just a winter spirit!). Or make an easy Kentucky Mule with ginger beer and lime.

    Coffee Old Fashioned
    Coffee Old Fashioned
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    Recipe Tips 

    • Be sure to choose real maple syrup - not pancake syrup - for this cocktail.
    • And squeeze a fresh orange instead of pouring from a carton. You’ll want a big slice of orange for garnish, so juice the rest of the fruit for your cocktail. 
    • There’s only five ingredients in this drink - and one is water - so using fresh and real ingredients is important for making the best tasting cocktail possible. 
    A steaming mug of bourbon hot toddy cocktail.

    FAQs and Substitutions

    Where do I find black walnut bitters?

    Black walnut bitters aren't likely to be found at your local grocery store, but a good liquor store will have them. You can also buy black walnut bitters online through Amazon.

    What can I use instead of black walnut bitters?

    If you can't find them, swap the black walnut bitters for aromatic bitters.

    What kind of bourbon should I use?

    Pick your favorite! Four Roses Bourbon and Bulleit Bourbon are both great choices. Rye whiskey is also a delicious choice for this cocktail.

    Don't hot toddies have hot tea in them?

    Some have black tea or ginger tea in them, but I'm impatient and don't want to wait for the tea to steep so I created this spin on the classic cocktail!

    How should I garnish this bourbon hot toddy?

    I love using a big slice of fresh orange, but you can also use whole star anise or a whole cinnamon stick if you'd rather.

    An orange slice floating in a mug of maple hot toddy.

    Print the Recipe Card

    A steaming mug of bourbon hot toddy cocktail.

    Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup

    Katy McAvoy
    Made with your favorite bourbon, this cozy and delicious Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup is the perfect cocktail to warm you up on a cold day.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Glass Mugs
    • Walnut Bitters
    • Jigger Measure

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 0.75 oz pure maple syrup
    • 1 oz orange juice fresh squeezed
    • 2 dashes black walnut bitters
    • 4 oz hot water
    • Orange wheel garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Combine bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and bitters in a mug.
    • Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat.
    • Pour the hot water into your mug.
    • Stir and garnish with a slice of fresh orange.
    • Sip and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 57IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    376 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    1. Katy McAvoy says

      March 08, 2024 at 12:56 pm

      Reply
    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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