The Best Bourbon For A Hot Toddy Is Affordable And Complex

When fall blows that first autumnal chill in the air, the wise among us break out the hot toddies to warm our bones and, if folk medicine is to be believed, stave off the coughs and colds that come around when those late-year germs start mounting. A hot toddy is simply a warm cocktail that combines bourbon, hot water, honey, and lemon juice. It's soothing, comforting, and perfect for sipping slowly with good company on a brisk night. If you would like to make a hot toddy, but don't yet feel proficient enough at checking bourbon labels before buying to determine quality, content creator and cocktail recipe developer Jordan Hughes, who mixes drinks on Instagram and TikTok under the username HighProofPreacher, has the perfect selection for you.

Hughes favors Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, which he says "gives you a lot of bang for your buck" by packing "a lot of complexity and flavor" for the price. It sells for around $50 for a 750mL bottle. 

Some people will use any old whiskey in a hot toddy, but bourbon, with its notes of caramel and vanilla, will add an additional depth of flavor and richness to a drink that's meant to be savored. There are some key differences between bourbon and whiskey, too; namely, the fact that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

Hughes's choice of bourbon, Bottled-in-Bond by Heaven Hill, is a golden bourbon from Kentucky described by the maker as having a "subtle rye spice note" that will augment the cinnamon stick you use to stir your hot toddy. Hughes prefers this bourbon because it is "aged for seven years," and, at 100 proof, "it won't get lost when mixed with other ingredients." Approvingly, he notes that the Heaven Hill bourbon "punches well above its weight" in relation to its price. Ultimately, the ideal bourbon for a hot toddy is one that you would happily drink by itself. This can cost more or less, relatively, but reaching for the cheapest bottom-shelf bottle is unlikely to be the play you want to make.

It's worth noting that any bourbon, even a fantastic one, will not taste its best if it isn't stored properly. If you are only using your bourbon for seasonal hot toddies, consider looking into how to store bourbon long-term to make sure that your bottle is in perfect shape for next fall's drinks.