Skip to content

Free shipping in the contiguous US

The Dry Pour August 11, 2026

Home / Learn / Recipes & Mocktails / Whiskey & Bourbon / Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddy

Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddy

Hot water or tea, honey, lemon and warm spice, with a whiskey alternative if you like: the winter warmer, without the alcohol.

beClink Editorial · August 11, 2026

Two glass mugs of non-alcoholic hot toddy with lemon wheels, cinnamon sticks and star anise, surrounded by whole spices and a honey dipper.

Time

5 min

Serves

1

Base

Whiskey alternative

Glass

Heatproof mug

Garnish

Lemon wheel with cloves, cinnamon stick

A hot toddy is hot water, honey and lemon with whiskey and a little spice, the drink people reach for on a cold evening. Without the whiskey it's still a proper toddy; with a whiskey alternative it tastes closer to the classic.

Use black or rooibos tea instead of plain water for more body.

Ingredients

  • 180 ml (6 fl oz)Hot water or tea black tea, or rooibos for no caffeine
  • 15–20 ml (1 tbsp)Honey
  • 15 ml (½ fl oz)Fresh lemon juice
  • 45 ml (1½ fl oz)Whiskey alternative optional
  • 1Cinnamon stick
  • 3Whole cloves pressed into a lemon wheel
  • 1Lemon wheel

Method

  1. Warm a heatproof mug with hot water, then empty it.
  2. Add the honey and lemon juice, then pour in the hot water or tea and stir until the honey dissolves.
  3. Add the whiskey alternative if you're using one.
  4. Press the cloves into the lemon wheel, drop it in with the cinnamon stick, and let it steep for a minute before drinking.

Shop the Recipe

Everything you need to pour this

What we reached for, and what else works. Everything here is in stock — swap freely.

Whiskey alternative

We used Lyre’s American Malt – Bourbon Whiskey. Swap it for any of these.

From your kitchen: hot water or tea, honey, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, lemon wheel.

In this glass

Mix & Match: any 2–5 items save 5% · 6–23 save 7% · 24+ save 10%, applied automatically in your cart. Free shipping in the contiguous US, no minimum.

Make it yours

Apple toddy

Use hot apple juice or cider instead of water, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Ginger toddy

Add a few slices of fresh ginger, or use honey ginger syrup in place of the honey.

Spiced rum alternative

A spiced rum alternative such as Mommos Spiced Cane (0.0%) gives vanilla and cinnamon.

How to serve & pair

Serve hot, in a heatproof mug or glass.

Good after dinner, by a fire, or with gingerbread and shortbread.

Common questions

What is a non-alcoholic hot toddy?

Hot water or tea with honey, lemon and spice, with a whiskey alternative instead of whiskey, or nothing at all.

What can I use instead of whiskey in a hot toddy?

A whiskey or bourbon alternative such as Lyre's American Malt, Spiritless Kentucky 74 or Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey. Or leave it out and use black tea for body.

Is a hot toddy good for a cold?

It's a warm, comforting drink with honey and lemon, but it isn't a treatment. If you're unwell, follow your doctor's advice.

Can I make a hot toddy without caffeine?

Yes: use hot water or rooibos tea instead of black tea.

Can I make a batch for a group?

Yes. Keep hot tea with honey and lemon warm on the stove, and add the spirit alternative to each mug as you serve.

Does a non-alcoholic hot toddy have alcohol?

Not without a spirit alternative. Lyre's and Ritual are under 0.5%; Spiritless Kentucky 74 is also under 0.5%. For none, leave it out.

BeaNot sure which whiskey alternative to start with? Tell us how you like your drinks and we’ll point you at one.Ask us →

More Whiskey & Bourbon

See all →

Pour it, don’t just read it.

Every bottle in this recipe is on the shelf.

Shop the Catalog →

— The Dry Pour —

Best sellers

See all best sellers