The simple ingredients – hot water, sugar and lemon – were based on what was available and what allowed the then whisky to become more palatable, since sophisticated blending techniques had not yet been discovered.

During the late 1890s, a simple toddy recipe appeared on the back of a bottle of Dewar’s ‘Toddy Whisky,’ which was presumably designed to be mixed into a Hot Toddy. Continuing into the 1930s, Dewar’s used a number of adverts that referred to the medicinal properties of Scotch whisky, including making a hot toddy to ward off the cold (see ads below).

Today, the Hot Toddy remains an essential recipe to John Dewar & Sons, and is crafted with Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky and the addition of tea. With a background such as this, and a day to honor the sip, you won’t regret crafting your own right at home.