Red Rum Hot Toddy

You could say that a good drink is never a bad color (especially if you are able to hide an off-color but delicious drink inside of a funky tiki mug!), but we feel like it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a drink that looks as good as it tastes. This Red Rum Hot Toddy certainly fits the bill because the gorgeous color will get your mouth watering before you even have the mug in your hands.

With the streak of ice cold weather that we’ve been having lately – or what passes for ice cold in Southern California – we’ve been indulging in hot toddies on a regular basis and are having a lot of fun with these warming drinks. This one is definitely an ode to the holiday season, though you don’t have to wait until December comes around to drink it. It is made with homemade cranberry syrup, which we’ve used before in our Cranberry Mai Tai, and it imparts both a bright red color and a sweet, tangy berry flavor to the drink. We paired up the cranberry with fresh lemon juice and honey, both of which are commonly found in hot toddies, and a blend of spiced rum, bourbon and brandy. Top it with a few candied cranberries and you’ll have a fantastic winter cocktail that people will remember, and request, next winter, too.

Red Rum Hot Toddy
1 oz spiced rum
1/2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz brandy
1 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz cranberry syrup
1/4 oz honey syrup
3-oz boiling water

Combine all ingredients, except water, in an Irish coffee mug or other insulated glass. Stir to combine, then top with boiling water and serve. Garnish with fresh or candied cranberries.

Homemade Cranberry Syrup
1 cup 100% cranberry juice
3/4 cup sugar

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until all sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate until ready to use.

Makes 1 1/2 cups.