Whether you’re sick, can’t fall asleep, or just chilly and in need of a warm drink that will exude heat throughout your body, a hot toddy may just do the trick. Here’s a recipe to warm the soul:

Makes one cup

Ingredients:
1 cup hot tea
1 shot brandy, whisky, bourbon or rum
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp honey

Preparation:
1. Make a cup of tea the way you like it (that is, strong or weak and with whatever type of tea leaves you like).
2. Stir in the alcohol, lemon juice and honey.
3. Enjoy

A variation on this recipe would be to use either a pinch of chillies instead of the alcohol.

The German’s have a similar drink called “Glühwein”

• A 750ml bottle of easy drinking wine like Baronne or a Shiraz
• 2/3 cup of raw cane sugar or white sugar, or non-artificial sweetener of your choice
• Juice and peel of one small lemon
• 2 cardamon pods
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cinnamon sticks

Put everything in a heavy bottomed pan. Stir to melt the sugar. Heat the mixture over low heat, and leave for about an hour – it should never boil, just sort of seethe.

Serve in small mugs (straining out the peel and spices), with optional shot of brandy, kirsch or other liqueur.

Notes: Increase the amount proportionately to serve more people. Vary the sweetener to change the taste – honey is interesting, as is dark brown sugar or molasses.