If the classic Hot Toddy is a warm blanket, the Floral Hot Toddy is a velvet robe. We love the traditional lemon-ginger medicinal cure, but sometimes you want a drink that feels a little more beautiful.
This recipe takes the winter staple and swaps the spice for a bouquet of organic botanicals. The star here is our Four Flowers blend, which combines tart Hibiscus, sweet Chamomile, aromatic Lavender, and delicate Rose petals.
Why it works
The Hibiscus does the heavy lifting here. It gives the drink two things a great cocktail (or mocktail) needs:
- The tartness. Hibiscus tastes a little like cranberry, and that tart edge stands in for the bite of alcohol, so the drink still satisfies even if you skip the whiskey.
- The color. It brews into a deep ruby-magenta that looks made for a glass mug.
Pair that tartness with the soothing aromatics of Lavender and Chamomile and you get something complex and calming, a toddy that doesn't taste quite like anything else.
A note on spirits
If you're making the boozy version, the floral notes of Four Flowers pair well with a lighter Whiskey or Bourbon. The caramel in the spirit complements the honey sweetness, while the floral aromatics lift the heaviness of the alcohol.
Make one when you're nursing a cold, or pour a round at your next winter gathering. Either way, the ruby-red color does the impressing for you. Grab a bag of Four Flowers and start steeping.
