The weather is getting harsher with every passing day, and with Christmas snows just around the corner, now’s the time to start thinking about hygge coziness and warming drinks. And for those evenings after long walks in the frozen scenery, a cold-preventing turmeric hot toddy is just what you need!
We love warm, healing drinks, and turmeric is a the star ingredient in so many of them. Whether it’s tea, a latte or soup, turmeric adds anti-inflammatory properties that help fight a whole host of illnesses. The slightly bitter, peppery taste, the vibrant orange color and the distinct flavor are obvious reasons to use it for spicing up your foods, but when you learn about its healing properties you’ll want to add it to everything.
Because inflammation is often at the root of disease, a natural anti-inflammatory such as turmeric is worth its weight in gold. This root is packed with healing weapons–antioxidant curcumin (its active substance), detoxifying minerals (especially manganese and copper), alkalizing potassium, and other cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Our favorite way to use turmeric is to pair it with another healing food–for this drink, we’ve added two: ginger and vitamin-C rich lemon. With these three you can’t fail when it comes to boosting both immunity and metabolism.
Ginger comes with a spicy taste and digestive healing properties (perfect for those heavy holiday dinners!), but also with strong antioxidant and cold-fighting effects. Lemon’s vitamin C is just what your cells are craving throughout the winter, and its alkalizing properties are perfect for keeping your system in balance (don’t forget to add a good lemon squeeze to your morning warm water drink routine!).
Optionally, just a little splash of quality bourbon can make your turmeric hot toddy even better! The warming taste of bourbon pairs perfectly with the spicy ginger and peppery turmeric. Plus, the alcohol has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and it gives a kick to your metabolism when consumed in small quantities. And if you make this drink for an evening gathering, adding bourbon not only guarantees a rich flavor, but also a good mood!
Turmeric Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 2 turmeric roots peeled and grated (or 2 teaspoons turmeric powder)
- 1- inch piece ginger peeled and minced
- 3 cloves
- 2 cardamom pods
- 2 anise stars
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 4 cups purified water
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon organic raw honey
- 4 tablespoons bourbon optional
Instructions
- Add the ginger, turmeric, spices and water to a medium soup pot and bring to boil over low heat.
- Simmer for 5 minutes over low heat, then strain and let cool until comfortable to drink.
- Add the lemon juice, honey and bourbon (if using) and mix well before serving.
- Divide into serving glasses, garnish with anise stars, if desired, and serve.
Definitely one of the more interesting toddy recipes, but I think turmeric makes a great addition to this drink that has a medicinal history.
What! Boil 5 hrs, it will burn or How much water?.lol.. N yes must add black pepper didn’t know about the coco oil, n fresh turmec taste nasty, I still use but maybe a little more hunny,wat if I used spice rum?
Very interesting drink!
You have not added any sort of healthy fat— ghee or coconut oil, for example — nor any black pepper to this recipe. Top nutritionists and ayurvedic experts all insist that turmeric is not bioavailable to the body without the addition of these two essential ingredients.
We use KUMA Turmeric Liqueur. So yum!
Yes! Where’s that from?
The overview says it cooks for five hours but the steps say 5 minutes. Confused! Help!
5 mins definitely :)
Can someone provide more information/sources on small amounts of alcohol providing a boost to the metabolism? I’ve never heard that, in fact have heard the opposite, and would love some more info!
When you drink alcohol, your body starts working right away to metabolise it, as a priority to eliminate its compounds. This is why I mentioned the metabolism boost.
Does this store well in the refrigerator?
I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t store nicely in the refrigerator for a day or two, in an airtight lidded glas jar.