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The Bourbon Hot Toddy
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When the temperature dips, there's nothing like a hot toddy to lift your spirits and warm your insides. Some people even believe them to have medicinal properties. This week, I embarked on something I'm calling the Toddy Project — a different hot toddy a day, every day for a week. Let's see how I got on.

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Monday: Bourbon Hot Toddy
The toddy as a form of creative booze delivery is actually even older than its cool cousin, the cocktail. Something very similar to this would've been served in colonial taverns around the time of the revolutionary war. So raise a toast to your ancestors and mine, and to drinking on a school night.

The Bourbon Hot Toddy
serves 1

1 teaspoon honey
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole anise star
1 1/2 ounce bourbon
1/2 cup boiling water
Slice of lemon

Add honey and spices to the bottom of a heat-proof snifter or mug. Add the boiling water and then bourbon. Squeeze the lemon, drop it in, and stir until the honey is melted.

Tuesday: Apple Bourbon Hot Toddy
Bourbon and apples love each other, and I predict you will love this sweet, warming drink. Make sans bourbon for your children and teetotaling friends.

Apple Bourbon Hot Toddy
serves 1

1 teaspoon honey
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 1/2 ounce bourbon
Hot apple cider

Add honey, cloves, cinnamon and bourbon to a mug. Top with the hot apple cider and stir.

Wednesday: Tequila Hot Toddy
Hot...tequila? Believe it. Embrace it. It's a little-known fact that tequila loves spices. This toddy, with lime in place of lemon, tastes a little like a hot, spiced margarita.

Tequila Hot Toddy
serves 1

1 teaspoon honey
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole anise star
1 1/2 ounce reposado tequila
1/2 cup boiling water
Slice of lime

Add honey and spices to the bottom of a heat-proof snifter or mug. Add the boiling water and then tequila. Squeeze the lime, drop it in, and stir until the honey is melted.

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Can't get enough hot toddies? Check out Part 2 and Part 3 for even more delicious hot drinks.

Nancy Mitchell loves toddies, but thinks "toddy" is an awfully funny word. You can find more of her recipes and writings on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.

(Images: Nancy Mitchell)