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    Home » Recent Posts » Cocktail Recipes

    Bourbon Hot Toddy with Maple Syrup

    Published: Jan 31, 2023 · Updated: Jan 26, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    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. 

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients 
    • How to Make a Bourbon Hot Toddy 
    • Try These Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
    • Recipe Tips 
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Maple Hot Toddy with Bourbon

    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.  

    Ingredients 

    Ingredients for a maple bourbon hot toddy.
    • Bourbon
    • Pure maple syrup
    • An orange
    • Black walnut bitters 
    • Hot water 

    How to Make a Bourbon Hot Toddy 

    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! 

    Try These Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

    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.

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • Honey, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Phyllo Cup Appetizers
    • Hot Cocoa Mix for Rich, Creamy Hot Chocolate in Minutes
    • Cranberry Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
    • Easy Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms in White Wine
    • Simple Pear Gin Cocktail with Rosemary

    Print the Recipe Card

    Print

    Maple Hot Toddy with Bourbon

    A steaming mug of bourbon hot toddy cocktail.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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.

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Stir
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 0.75 oz pure maple syrup
    • 1 oz fresh orange juice
    • 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!

    Equipment

    Image of Glass Mugs

    Glass Mugs

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    Image of Walnut Bitters

    Walnut Bitters

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    Image of Jigger

    Jigger

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    Keywords: hot toddy cocktail, bourbon drink, drinks with maple syrup, winter drinks, hot drinks, warm cocktails

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

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      Cranberry Mimosas (Poinsettia Cocktails) for Christmas Brunch

    I love when you share my recipes!

    About Katy McAvoy

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

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    Katy McAvoy

    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 a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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