Maple Hot Toddy
A cozy winter cocktail that marries warm whiskey with smoky lapsang tea and rich maple syrup. This Maple Hot Toddy is perfect for cold nights when you want a comforting, slightly savory drink with bright citrus and warming spice.
Ingredient Spotlight
Lapsang souchong (smoked black tea) bags
A strongly smoked black tea from Fujian province in China: the leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pine wood, giving a pronounced campfire, pine-resin aroma and a bold smoky flavor. It’s used as a drinking tea but also as a seasoning or aromatic in marinades and cocktails where a smoky, tea-like note is desired. Find it at specialty tea shops, Asian groceries, or online. If you don’t have it, substitute a milder black tea plus a tiny pinch of smoked paprika or a drop of liquid smoke, or use another smoked black tea in smaller quantity because lapsang is intense.
Ingredient Spotlight
Smoked sea salt (or regular sea salt)
Sea salt that has been cold-smoked over wood (often alder, oak, or hickory) so the crystals carry a clean smoky aroma and finish, used primarily as a finishing salt to add smoke without cooking over flame. It’s sold by gourmet grocers, specialty spice shops, and online and can elevate finishing touches on cocktails, meats, and vegetables. Substitute regular sea or kosher salt plus a pinch of smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or a very small amount of liquid smoke to approximate the flavor. Use sparingly, as the smoked salts can be quite potent.
Jake Woods's note
"This toddy leans into gentle smoke from lapsang souchong and pure maple for a cozy, grown-up cup — great for fireside evenings or small holiday gatherings. Home bartenders will love how simple tweaks (tea strength, syrup amount) let you dial the drink to taste."
About This Recipe
This Maple Hot Toddy is built around a simple idea: let real smoke and real sweetness meet in a cup. Lapsang souchong brings an assertive, piney-smoke backbone that plays beautifully against the rounded, caramel notes of pure maple syrup, while fresh lemon and a whisper of smoked sea salt keep the drink bright and savory rather than cloying. Cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic stir as the whiskey lends glycerin-rich heat and a peppery finish—together the drink is silky, slightly tangy, and layered rather than flat.
What makes this version work is restraint. A short 3–5 minute steep gives you smoky complexity without turning the toddy into a campfire, the 2 oz whiskey to 1 tbsp maple/1 tbsp lemon ratio creates an approachable balance for most palates, and the tiny pinch of smoked sea salt amplifies both the maple and the tea’s smoke without making the drink salty. It’s an easy, low-fuss recipe that’s perfect for a quiet night in, a small gathering after a winter walk, or anytime you want a warming, contemplative cocktail that smells like a woodstove and tastes like comfort.
Ingredients for Maple Hot Toddy
- 20 fl oz Hot water
- 2 bag(s) Lapsang souchong (smoked black tea) bags
- 8 fl oz Bourbon or rye whiskey
- 4 tbsp Pure maple syrup
- 4 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
- 4 stick(s) Cinnamon sticks
- 4 slice(s) Lemon wheels
- 1/2 tsp Smoked sea salt (or regular sea salt)
How to Make Maple Hot Toddy
Step 1: Steep smoked tea in hot water
Bring the water to a near boil and pour it over the lapsang souchong tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or teapot. Steep 3 to 5 minutes depending on how pronounced you want the smoky note, then remove the tea bags and keep the smoked hot water warm.For this step
- 20 fl ozHot water
- 2 bag(s)Lapsang souchong (smoked black tea) bags
Step 2: Build the toddy
Divide the bourbon, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice among four warmed mugs (2 fl oz whiskey, 1 tbsp maple, 1 tbsp lemon per mug). Pour about 5 fl oz (150 ml) of the smoked hot water into each mug, stir until the maple dissolves, and taste for balance — add more syrup or lemon if desired.For this step
- 8 fl ozBourbon or rye whiskey
- 4 tbspPure maple syrup
- 4 tbspFresh lemon juice
Step 3: Garnish and finish
Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick and a lemon wheel, then very lightly pinch or sprinkle a tiny amount of smoked sea salt over the top for an extra savory lift. The cinnamon stick doubles as a stirrer and the salt enhances both maple sweetness and smoky depth.For this step
- 4 stick(s)Cinnamon sticks
- 4 slice(s)Lemon wheels
- 1/2 tspSmoked sea salt (or regular sea salt)
Step 4: Serve warm
Serve the toddies immediately while hot and aromatic. For variation, swap bourbon for aged rum, or use less smoked tea for a gentler smoke character.
- Bring the water to a near boil and pour it over the lapsang souchong tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or teapot. Steep 3 to 5 minutes depending on how pronounced you want the smoky note, then remove the tea bags and keep the smoked hot water warm.
- Divide the bourbon, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice among four warmed mugs (2 fl oz whiskey, 1 tbsp maple, 1 tbsp lemon per mug). Pour about 5 fl oz (150 ml) of the smoked hot water into each mug, stir until the maple dissolves, and taste for balance — add more syrup or lemon if desired.
- Garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick and a lemon wheel, then very lightly pinch or sprinkle a tiny amount of smoked sea salt over the top for an extra savory lift. The cinnamon stick doubles as a stirrer and the salt enhances both maple sweetness and smoky depth.
- Serve the toddies immediately while hot and aromatic. For variation, swap bourbon for aged rum, or use less smoked tea for a gentler smoke character.
Maple Hot Toddy Tips
Control the smoke
Steep lapsang souchong for 3 minutes for a gentle smokiness or up to 5 minutes for a pronounced note; taste the brewed tea before mixing to avoid overpowering the whiskey.
Warm your mugs
Prewarm cups with hot water to keep the toddy hot longer and prevent the whiskey from cooling and muting its aromatics.
Dissolve maple fully
Pour the hot smoked tea over the maple and stir until it’s fully incorporated—cold syrup won’t blend and leaves uneven sweetness.
Use smoked salt sparingly
A very small pinch per mug is enough to heighten savory notes; more will make the drink taste salty, not complex.
Adjust on the fly
After assembling, taste and tweak: add a splash more lemon if too sweet, or a little more syrup if too tart.
Maple Hot Toddy Variations and Substitutions
Aged Rum Swap
Replace bourbon with 2 oz aged dark rum for molasses and oak warmth—maple and rum are a natural pairing that softens the lapsang’s sharp smoke.
Non-Alcoholic Toddies
Use 2 oz hot apple cider or strong chamomile in place of whiskey and a dash of nonalcoholic spirit if desired; increase lemon slightly to maintain brightness.
Lighter Smoke Option
Brew half lapsang and half English Breakfast or Earl Grey to temper the smoke while keeping depth for those who prefer a subtler finish.
Spice-Forward Twist
Add a clove or a strip of orange peel to the teapot while steeping for a warming, citrusy-spice lift that complements the maple.
How to Store and Make Maple Hot Toddy Ahead
If you’ve brewed extra smoked tea, store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 48 hours and reheat gently before serving. Assembled toddies are best consumed immediately; if you must reheat a mixed toddy, warm it slowly in a saucepan over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave—do not boil, which will drive off aromatics and more alcohol.
What to Serve With Maple Hot Toddy
Serve these toddies with small, savory bites that echo the drink’s smoke and sweetness—think aged cheddar and thinly sliced smoked ham, or spiced roasted nuts. For dessert pairing, ginger cookies or a dense apple cake will carry the maple theme without competing with the tea’s smokiness.
Maple Hot Toddy FAQs
Can I use loose-leaf tea instead of bags?
Yes—use roughly 1 teaspoon of loose lapsang souchong per 5 fl oz of water, steeping 3–5 minutes and straining before building the toddy.
What if the toddy is too smoky for me?
Dilute with a little more hot water or add an extra splash of lemon and/or maple to rebalance; for future batches, cut the lapsang with a milder black tea.
How much smoked sea salt should I use?
Start with a very light pinch—about 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon per mug—and sprinkle it on top; you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
Will reheating reduce the alcohol?
Gentle reheating will cause only minimal alcohol loss if you avoid boiling; prolonged high-heat simmering will reduce ABV and change flavor, so reheat briefly and do not boil.
Can I make a large batch for a party?
Yes—brew the smoked tea and mix maple and lemon in a large thermos or insulated pot, then add whiskey per cup as you serve to preserve its aroma; for a fully prebatched option, combine everything but keep warm and stir before ladling.
About the author
Jake WoodsHello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.
See all recipes by Jake Woods →Ratings & Reviews
Did you make this recipe?
Be the first to share your experience.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving: 1 serving (approx. 253g)
Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.
Keep Reading
Guides & articles for this recipe
Guides
Trending Grillside Drinks for 2026: Cocktails, Low‑ABV Sippers, and Non‑Alcoholic Pairings to Elevate Backyard BBQ
Discover the hottest drinks to serve alongside summer grilling in 2026 — from smoked‑syrup cocktails and barrel‑aged RTDs to low‑ABV spritzes, shrubs, kombuchas, and tea blends. Includes batch-making tips, safety notes, and pairing suggestions for common grilled proteins and sides.
Recipes
Blue Drinks at Home: Natural Color Techniques + 10 Viral Blue Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes
Discover how to make stunning blue drinks at home using natural ingredients like butterfly pea and blue spirulina. This guide includes practical techniques, storage tips, and 10 viral cocktail and mocktail recipes — many with grilled-garnish ideas for backyard entertaining.
Healthy Eating
Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan
A 7-day gluten-free weeknight grilling plan with quick, family-friendly recipes, prep-ahead timelines, and a printable shopping list that spotlights late-summer produce and pantry staples. Includes clear cross-contamination safety tips and simple swaps to keep dinners fast and crowd-pleasing.
More from Drinks
View all Drinks recipes →
Classic Manhattan Cocktail
Non Alcoholic Manhattan
Blueberry Lavender Vodka
Cucumber Spritz
Rum Mojito Classic
Dark n Stormy Rum
White Russian Cocktail
Kahlua Cold Brew Cocktail
Bacon Maple Old Fashioned
Ask me anything about this recipe — substitutions, scaling, techniques, timing.
Powered by AI · 6 questions per 5 minutes, 30 per day