Monday, January 17, 2011

Snowpocalypse & Hot Toddy Cocktail

I had meant to share scenes from Snowpocalypse 2011 last week but never got around to it until now. You may recall I enjoyed the Blizzard of 2010 in all its glory and the second large storm of the winter proved no different. Except it did. We got even more snow and this was not the fluffy white stuff, this was the wet sticky heavy stuff.
White-out!

These wet pellets of snow meant business.

And the trees definitely suffered through it.
This weather calls for some warm boozy drinks. I decided to experiment with a Hot Toddy Cocktail. Some research proved that a hot toddy can be made with brandy, whiskey, or rum and your favorite tea. Recommends note green tea, black tea, or even just hot water. It was rather evident that personal preference plays a major role in crafting this cold weather cocktail to warm the soul.
Ingredients:
1 oz brandy, whiskey or rum
1 tbsp honey
1/4 lemon
1 cup hot water
1 tea bag
I purchased a bottle of Redemption High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey for $25. I'm a big fan of Makers Mark, but this proved a less expensive option. A classic American Whiskey, carefully aged two years in new charred oak barrels and bottled by hand in Kentucky; each bottle has the batch and bottle number handwritten on the label.
The small batch bourbon is 46% alcohol by volume featuring 38.2% premium rye, 1.8% barley malt and 60% corn. The spicy character of the rye contrasts with the sweet corn notes and is balanced by the addition of the barley malt. [via]
To make the cocktail, first I squeezed the juice from 1/4 of a lemon.
Then I drizzled in 1 teaspoon of honey.
I used Heavenly Organics Acacia Himalayan Raw Honey.
Then I added in the Bourbon, the tea (made separately) and stirred.
Yogi Chai Green Tea worked brilliantly.
If you use a tea you like to drink on its own you'll probably enjoy it spiked with Whiskey. (Assuming you do in fact like Whiskey.) As long as I'm not sipping it straight, we seem to get along just fine.

A perfect cup of tea, with a kick.

Snowpocalypse Day 2: The beautiful aftermath
Are you still enjoying the snow, or are you ready for winter to end already?

22 comments:

  1. i think we are supposed to get more tomorrow! hot toddy round 2! i enjoy winter until march then its time for SPRING!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yum! We just make ours with hot water, sugar, lemon, cloves, and whiskey. Very yummy!I am over the winter. It is getting too hard to find ways to run outside without falling!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love snow pics! Snow really makes everything look beautiful.

    Also, nice choice on the hot toddy. I had my first one last year and thought it was quite delish.

    ReplyDelete
  4. After our lunch today, I commend you on taking these photos on your walk to work! Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the pictures! I really like that whiskey bottle too...I'm not too much of a whiskey drinker, but every once in a while it calls my name!

    ReplyDelete
  6. that snow storm was intense and the snow is still lingering, such a pain in the behind

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great pictures of the city and fun drink idea!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can't believe you walked to work in all that snow!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd just like it to be a little warmer...then I could deal a little better.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm kind of ready for winter to be over. But a hot toddy could help me get through the rest of it! I don't think I ever realized a hot toddy was made with tea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, lots of snow for sure, great pictures! The hot toddy cocktails is a wonderful drink to warm up with!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hahahahaha - how awesome!
    Such incredible snow pictures :D
    I love the snow... But that's probably because I only saw it once a year ago.
    Anyhow - it's so darn pretty... :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. GORGEOUS photos!!!! I am such a freak- I still love the snow-though I have to be careful who I admit that to! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. nice snow photos! I've never tried a hot toddy but I like the idea! I opted for spiked hot chocolate on the snow day. Baileys + kahlua!

    ReplyDelete
  15. oh that snow! i am super jealous. all of our north carolina snow melted last week! and what a yummy drink:) i do believe it would be perfect, no matter the temps outside:)

    ReplyDelete
  16. your hot toddy looks gooood! the snow looked so pretty the next day- the bright sun, blue skies and branhces with snow. Now i am done w/ it lol

    ReplyDelete
  17. Look at you and all the snow... wowzer!!

    Happy Tuesday Darling! xo

    Oh, and be sure to stop by my blog for my swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Good grief that is a total winter wonderland. I would have needed a few of those fab drinks to warm up (excuses, excuses).

    xo,
    C

    ReplyDelete
  19. you know my take on snow! what's the equivalent of "bah humbug" in this instance? :P

    ReplyDelete
  20. ooh I love hot, boozy drinks. I'll be taking a break from my port and hot cider to give this one a try!

    ReplyDelete
  21. i'm loving hot toddy's right now. I've been making them with brandy but ran out. I'm going to switch to Rafe's Eagle Rare bourbon tonight....and decaf chai. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete