I was super excited when Maker’s Mark reached out inviting me to join a Blogger challenge to create a delicious and unique Hot Toddy recipe using their smooth and delicious Bourbon. As the fan of Bourbon that I am, I had to say yes without skipping a beat. Aside from using their Maker’s Mark in the recipe, we were required to use our choice of four different teas from Harney & Sons. After a bit of reading, I got inspired by Maker’s Mark’s notes of caramel and vanilla, plus the festive holiday season to come up with this twist on a Hot Toddy… The Tea-Nog Toddy. Keep reading for the recipe.

Maker’s Mark Hot Toddy #MakeItTealicious | Haute CocktailDid you know that the first 19 barrels of whiskey were made in 1954 by Bill Samuels Sr. in a Victorian distillery in Loretto, Kentucky? This were the first steps of what we now know as Maker’s Mark and the Bourbon era. In 1980, the distillery was designated a National Historic Landmark, becoming the first distillery in the United States to be recognized as such. It would be an honor and dream come true to travel to Kentucky to see the facility and the way one of my favorite Bourbons is created. That can all happen with your help! Follow me and Maker’s Mark on Instagram, so you stay in-the-know about this challenge, vote for my recipe, and pick up a cocktail recipe or two in the process.

Moving on with the Hot Toddy recipe… First things first! A classic Hot Toddy is a combination of whiskey, sugar, lemon juice, and hot water garnished with a lemon wedge, cinnamon stick, or star anise. These ingredients will treat you to a classic and comforting Hot Toddy. My challenge consisted in using tea instead of just hot water and make it my own. As someone who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, I was never about drinking hot tea (or hot anything, for that matter!) and when I did start drinking tea after moving to New York, my next breakthrough was adding a splash of milk to it. That’s when inspiration hit! Taking it a bit further and giving it a more festive spin, I decided to switch the milk for non-alcoholic Eggnog. The recipe came out super! Sprinkle some Ground Cinnamon on top and you have a warm, festive, and smile-inducing cocktail to drink and to share. Next time, I’ll make it with some Puerto Rican Coquito!

Tea-Nog Toddy

Ingredients:

1 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon

.5 oz. Vanilla Schnapps

2.5 oz of Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Tea

1 oz. Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

1 packet of Natural Sweetener

Ground Cinnamon for garnish

Directions:

Brew Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Tea. Add all ingredients in a mug. Mix. Heat in a microwave for 30 seconds. Garnish with Ground Cinnamon and enjoy!

Hope you enjoy this recipe and share it with friends and family on a cold winter night of fun and togetherness. Again, be sure to follow Maker’s Mark, Haute Cocktail, and #MakeItTealicious on Instagram to cast your votes and find more Bourbon-infused inspiration. See you on Instagram!

*I was sent a bottle of Maker’s Mark, Harney & Sons teas, and other goodies to participate in this challenge. However, I was not compensated in any other way*