Honey, Lemon and Whiskey for Colds: Does a Hot Toddy Actually Help?
Honey, lemon and whiskey have been combined in warm drinks for generations. But does the traditional hot toddy actually help a sore throat, cough or cold? Some parts of the drink have better evidence behind them than others.
Quick answer: A warm honey-and-lemon drink may help soothe a sore throat and calm a cough. Honey has some evidence for reducing acute cough symptoms. Whiskey may make the drink feel warming or relaxing, but it does not cure a cold, and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.
What Is a Hot Toddy?
A hot toddy is traditionally made with hot water, honey, lemon and a small amount of whiskey or another spirit.
It has long been used as a comforting winter drink when someone has a cold, sore throat or cough.
It is important to separate symptom relief from actually treating the infection. The common cold is usually caused by viruses, and a hot toddy does not kill the virus or shorten the infection in a proven way.
Which Ingredients May Actually Help?
Honey
Honey can coat and soothe an irritated throat, and research suggests it may help reduce coughing, particularly at night.
Lemon & Warm Water
Warm liquids can feel soothing on a sore throat and help maintain hydration. Lemon adds flavour and acidity and may encourage you to drink more fluids.
Whiskey
Whiskey can create a warming sensation, but there is no good evidence that it treats the virus causing a cold. Alcohol may also contribute to dehydration.
Does Honey Help a Cough?
Honey is the part of the traditional hot toddy with the strongest evidence for cough relief.
Systematic reviews of clinical trials have found that honey may reduce cough frequency and improve sleep in people with acute coughs, although the overall certainty of the evidence varies between studies.
Honey's thick consistency may also help coat the throat and reduce the irritation that triggers coughing.
Does Honey and Lemon Help a Sore Throat?
A warm honey-and-lemon drink is commonly recommended for soothing a sore throat.
The NHS recommends hot lemon and honey as one self-care option for cold symptoms, while Australian Healthdirect also suggests a warm honey-and-lemon drink for symptoms associated with rhinovirus.
Honey provides sweetness and a coating sensation, while the warm fluid helps keep the throat moist.
What Does the Whiskey Do?
This is where traditional folklore and medical evidence start to separate.
A small amount of whiskey can make a hot toddy feel warming and relaxing, which may be part of why the drink became associated with going to bed when you're unwell.
But alcohol does not cure a cold.
In fact, medical guidance commonly recommends limiting or avoiding alcohol when you are unwell because it can increase fluid loss and contribute to dehydration.
So if your main goal is symptom relief, a simple hot honey-and-lemon drink is the better-supported option.
Dural Honey Hot Toddy Recipe
Honey, Lemon & Whiskey Hot Toddy
Serves: 1 adult
Ingredients
- 1–2 teaspoons Dural Honey
- ½ fresh lemon
- 200–250ml hot water
- 15–30ml whiskey, optional
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
- 1 thin slice of fresh ginger, optional
Method
- Boil the water and allow it to cool slightly.
- Squeeze half a fresh lemon into a mug.
- Add 1–2 teaspoons of Dural Honey.
- Pour in the hot water and stir until the honey dissolves.
- Add a small amount of whiskey if desired.
- Add ginger or cinnamon for extra flavour.
- Sip slowly while warm.
Alcohol-free version: Simply leave out the whiskey. For cold and sore-throat comfort, the honey, lemon and warm water are the most important parts of the drink.
Should You Add More Whiskey if You Have a Bad Cold?
No.
More whiskey does not mean more cold relief. Higher alcohol intake can make dehydration worse and can also interact with medicines commonly taken when people are sick.
If you are taking cold and flu medicines, pain relievers, antihistamines, sedatives or prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before mixing them with alcohol.
When Should You Skip the Whiskey?
An alcohol-free honey-and-lemon drink is generally the more sensible option if:
- you are dehydrated
- you have a fever
- you are taking medication that interacts with alcohol
- you are driving
- you are pregnant
- you are under the legal drinking age
- you simply want the sore-throat benefits without alcohol
Can a Hot Toddy Cure a Cold?
No. There is currently no cure for the common cold.
Most colds improve on their own with time, fluids and rest.
A hot honey-and-lemon drink may make symptoms more comfortable while your immune system deals with the infection, but it should be viewed as a comforting drink rather than a medical treatment.
Make It with Dural Honey
Use Dural Honey in warm lemon drinks, tea, cooking, baking and everyday recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does honey and lemon help a sore throat?
A warm honey-and-lemon drink can help soothe an irritated throat. The warm liquid keeps the throat moist while honey provides a soothing coating sensation.
Does whiskey cure a cold?
No. Whiskey does not cure the virus responsible for a common cold. Alcohol can also contribute to dehydration, so it should be used cautiously or left out entirely.
Does honey help coughing?
Research suggests honey may help reduce acute cough symptoms and improve sleep in some people. Evidence is strongest for symptom relief rather than treating the underlying infection.
How much honey should I put in a hot toddy?
One to two teaspoons of honey is generally enough for one mug. Adjust according to taste.
Can I make a hot toddy without alcohol?
Yes. Hot water, lemon and honey make an effective comforting drink on their own and are the components most relevant to soothing a sore throat.
Can children have honey and lemon?
Children over 12 months can generally have honey as a food. Honey must never be given to babies under 12 months old. Whiskey or other alcohol should not be added to drinks for children.
Reviewed Against Current Health Guidance
This article is intended as general information about a traditional drink and symptom relief, not medical advice.
Current guidance from the NHS recommends fluids and a warm lemon-and-honey drink as possible ways to soothe cold symptoms. Australian Healthdirect similarly recommends warm honey and lemon for rhinovirus-related sore throats. Mayo Clinic advises avoiding alcohol during a cold because it can contribute to fluid loss.
Clinical reviews have also found that honey may provide some relief from acute coughing, although research quality varies.