A hot toddy is especially nice on cool (or cold) nights in the fall and winter. And Empress 1908 Gin is the answer for gin lovers in this Night Owl Empress Ginger Hot Toddy. This perfect nightcap has a delicate taste that enhances all the botanicals in Empress 1908 Gin with some added flavors that bring the drink to life! Make this Night Owl your one of your favorite seasonal cold-weather drinks this year!
Hot Toddy
There are versions of hot toddies out there for cold weather with almost every type of spirit. A classic hot toddy is one of the most popular hot cocktails made with simple ingredients that generally includes hard liquor, sugar, and hot water. You will also sometimes see citrus included, such as a lemon peel or lemon slice, as well as various fall and winter spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. It is always a delight to drink a hot toddy on a cold evening, and we love playing around with flavors to create something truly memorable. Check out this Blood Orange and Earl Grey Hot Toddy for another fun twist!
Our Empress Ginger Hot Toddy
This Night Owl drink is not your traditional hot toddy that looks somewhere between cider and swamp water. No, this is a gorgeous concoction that tastes as stunning as it looks. The butterfly pea blossom in Empress gin gives it the beautiful indigo hue, and when combined with the ginger beer and squeeze of lime, the color brightens to a light purplish magenta color.
The ginger beer in this hot toddy recipe lightens up the cocktail with a little effervescence and complimentary taste, while the dash of bitters brings a little more ginger flavor to the party. Lime juice and the simple syrup is for balance and the cinnamon stick gives the Night Owl a beautiful aroma and soothing feel. We also like to add a candied orange slice as an edible garnish on our hot drinks! You can of course use a slice of lime, a lemon twist, or just the cinnamon stick.
Don't stop there! Here is another Empress Hot Toddy that is booming with floral notes for your holiday season.
What do I need to make this cold-weather drink?
This is one of the easiest drinks to make, and you don't even need a cocktail shaker! You simply add your ingredients straight to a glass or mug, stir with a cinnamon stick and serve! We like to serve these in Irish coffee glasses, but any glass mug will be fine here. It is too beautiful to serve in a ceramic mug! We also like to use an electric tea pot to heat the water quickly to enjoy this warm drink within minutes.
Make Your Own Simple Syrup
Making your own simple syrup could not be easier! We keep simple syrup in our fridge at all times to use for drinks whenever we need it. We like a 2:1 simple syrup, meaning two parts sugar to one part water.
To make simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool before transferring to an air tight container or using in a cocktail. You do not need to allow it to cool if using in a warm cocktail like this Night Owl.
You can store 2:1 simple syrup in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Empress Gin Cocktails
We are big fans of Empress 1908 Gin and love making interesting cocktails with it. Here are a few seasonal cocktails that we know you will love as well:
- Frosted Cranberry Empress Gin Cocktail
- The Great 1908 Blizzard Cocktail
- Spiced Pomegranate and Rosemary Gin Spritz
Looking for something to serve with the Night Owl??
Check out our Savory Champagne Poached Pears with Whipped Mascarpone Blue Cheese recipe! The flavors pair beautifully with the ginger notes of the Night Owl hot toddy! This can be served during happy hour as an appetizer or as a side dish with a festive meal.
Enjoy!
We hope you enjoy this Night Owl Empress Ginger Hot Toddy recipe! If you give it a try and like it, click the heart at the top of the post, leave us a 5 star rating and comment below, or tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine!
Looking for more fall and winter drinks? Check these out:
- Pumpkin Spice Affogato
- Mulled Wine with Amaretto and Brandy
- Chocolate Almond Autumn Negroni
- Hazelnut Hot Buttered Rum – A Holiday Treat
📖 Recipe
Night Owl Empress Gin Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- ½ teaspoon simple syrup (we use 2:1 simple syrup)
- 2 oz ginger beer
- ½ teaspoon lime juice
- 2 dashes ginger bitters
- 2 -3 oz hot water
- Cinnamon stick (for aroma and garnish)
Instructions
- Add the ingredients (in order) to a glass mug or heat-proof glass. Stir with the cinnamon stick and serve! Note that the water should be hot, but not boiling. It should be drinkable immediately without having to let it cool down too much.
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