Few drinks feel as perfectly suited to December as a steaming toddy. It’s the kind of cocktail that wraps around you like a warm scarf—simple, honest, and comforting in the way only winter drinks can be.
The Dickens Toddy takes its cue from the Victorian world of A Christmas Carol, where hot punch flowed freely, lanterns glowed in frosted streets, and the season’s joy was measured in good company and good cheer.
This version blends whiskey, spice, and citrus into a soothing winter cocktail that’s ideal for holiday gatherings or quiet fireside nights. It’s easy to make, beautifully aromatic, and built for readers searching for hot winter cocktails, whiskey hot toddies, and Christmas drink ideas.
The Victorian era had an obsession with warm, spiced drinks—Dickens wrote about them so vividly that you can almost feel the heat through the pages. The Dickens Toddy channels that atmosphere through:
- Brown sugar syrup enriched with cinnamon and clove
- Bright lemon to lift the richness
- Whiskey for depth and warmth
- Aromatic bitters to tie everything together
Here is the recipe!
Dickens Toddy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz. blended Scotch or Irish whiskey
- ½ oz spiced brown sugar syrup (recipe below)
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 3 oz hot water
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Garnish: cinnamon stick, lemon wheel
Instructions
- Warm your mug with hot water and discard the water.
- Add whiskey, syrup, lemon juice, and bitters to the warmed mug.
- Top with 3 oz hot water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.
- Serve immediately while steaming hot.
Notes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole cloves
Simmer everything together for 10 minutes over low heat. Strain out the spices and allow to cool. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Serving Tips
- Use a heatproof glass mug for a Victorian feel.
- Add a clove-studded lemon wheel for deeper spice.
- Make a batch version by scaling up ingredients and keeping warm in a slow cooker.
Perfect Pairings
- A reading of A Christmas Carol (obvious—and delightful)
- Mince pies or ginger biscuits
- A fireside evening
- Holiday brunches needing a cozy warm drink
Why Lush Life Loves It
The Dickens Toddy captures everything we adore about winter cocktails—simple ingredients, nostalgic spice, and a story that warms you before the first sip. It’s effortlessly cozy, gently theatrical, and exactly the kind of drink that makes a cold night feel festive.