🥃 Hot Toddy: a Scottish remedy or an excuse for whisky?
🧭 What you’ll learn today
In this lesson, you’ll explore the story of Scotland’s favourite cold-weather drink — the hot toddy. You’ll watch a short video, learn natural vocabulary and reflect on how different cultures treat colds and coughs at home. Includes speaking and writing practice.
📖 A taste of Scottish comfort
In Scotland, a hot toddy is a traditional drink made with whisky, honey, lemon and hot water. It’s usually served in winter — especially when someone has a cold. Some say it’s just an old story. Others swear it really works.
🎥 Watch and Listen
In this short video, a bartender shares his recipe for a classic hot toddy — and explains why it’s often used to treat a cold.
🎧 While you watch, try to answer these questions:
- 1. What are the main ingredients in his version of a hot toddy?
- 2. What does he say the lemon and honey are good for?
- 3. How does he describe the feeling after drinking it?
- 4. Would you try this recipe? Why or why not?
Hot Toddy - The best cure for a cold
Can you remember and descriptive or persuasive language the speaker uses? (e.g. soothing, classic, the perfect...)
Hot toddy Recipe - There are many variations, depends on your Grandma's recipe.
- 60ml water
- 3 cloves
- Cinnamon stick
- 1cm piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 strip of lemon peel
- 60ml whisky
- 2tsp honey
- 1-2 tsp lemon juice
- Grating of nutmeg
Method
- Put the water in a small pan along with the spices and peel over a low heat.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Meanwhile rinse a heatproof glass with hot water and dry.
- Pour the whisky into your warmed glass, then pour over hot water and spices.
- Stir in the honey and lemon juice and taste for sweetness.
- Top with a little nutmeg, breathe in deeply and enjoy!
A HOT TODDY IS THE PERFECT DRINK TO TRY IN WINTER IN EDINBURGH AND CAN BE MADE WITH OR WITHOUT ALCOHOL
🍯 Quick recipe guide: How to make a hot toddy in under 60 seconds
🍋 Mini Task: Can you follow the recipe?
🪜 1. Put the steps in the correct order (1–5):
- Add hot water
2
- Add whisky
1
- Stir in honey
3
- Garnish with a slice of lemon
5
- Squeeze in lemon juice
4
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