But I do enjoy this beverage. It's a Hot Honey BT (Bourbon Toddy or Buffalo Trace or something sexual, whatever you prefer). It's a variation on the Hot Whiskey I love so.
Its origin can be found in a passing comment Forrest Cokely (of Hi Time fame!) made when we were chatting about booze. I mentioned I like to use Powers and brown sugar in my hot whiskey. Forrest said that he's used honey when making a hot toddy with Scotch whisky. That sounded like a good idea to me. Later that week, I was sipping some Buffalo Trace Bourbon when I really caught its honey note. The symbolic light bulb switched on. It's not Scotch, but it is Buffalo Trace. The night was cold (for Southern California)... Perhaps I should apply honey to BT to hot water...
Yes, I know I'm not the first to do so. But here it is.
THIS
PLUS THIS
THE HOT HONEY B.T.
Official Ingredients:
Glass or Large Mug (approx 12-16oz.)
__Boiled Water (at least 2 glasses worth)
__1/4 of a lemon (peel and all, seeds removed)
__4 whole cloves
__1 tablespoon of Honey
__2 oz. of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
Official Instructions:
1. First, boil the water.
2. Second, pour some of the hot water into the mug or glass and swirl it around, carefully! Spill it out. You now have one hot mug.
3. Add the honey to the mug or glass, then add the whiskey on top. Give it an extensive stir in order to make sure that the honey dissolves a little bit in the whiskey.
4. Stick the cloves into the lemon wedge. The white pith is the best spot, but if you poke them into the fruit itself, I won't tell anyone
5. Slip the lemon slice into the mug or glass and into the whiskey and honey mixture.
6. Fill the mug with hot water.
7. Give it several stirs to make sure the honey has fully dissolved. Then give it a minute or two to cool down. This will let the flavors mingle. Give it one more stir before indulging.
8. Sip slowly.
Some unofficial notes:
When I first made this, I accidentally (seriously, accidentally) poured 3 ounces of bourbon into the mug. Holy moley. I was half asleep before I finished the drink. So, at your own discretion, you may up the booze.
I've been using Trader Joe's Mesquite Honey. Works like a charm. Also, a tablespoon of honey can be a bit on the sweet side for some palates. I wouldn't use more than that, but anything less than 2 teaspoons may not even make a ripple in the tipple.
Please let me know if you have any variations you prefer!