Campfire Hot Toddy
November comes in sideways in Montana, with a wind that finds every gap in your jacket and a darkness that arrives before dinner. The campfire becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity, something you gather around not because it is romantic but because it is warm and the alternative is going inside where the evening ends too early. The hot toddy was invented for exactly this kind of night.
There is a ritual to making one properly. The water should be hot enough to dissolve the honey but not so hot that it scalds the moonshine into something harsh. The honey goes in first, stirred slowly until the water turns golden. Then the moonshine, which blooms in the heat and fills the mug with something that smells like a cure for whatever ails you. The lemon brightens it. The cinnamon deepens it. The cloves add a warmth that starts in your throat and settles behind your ribs. You wrap your hands around the mug, pull your chair closer to the fire, and let the conversation find its own pace. Nobody is in a hurry. Nobody needs to be.
Campfire Hot Toddy
Ingredients
- 2 oz Montucky Moonshine
- 6 oz hot water
- 1 tbsp honey
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 whole cloves
Instructions
- Heat water until just boiling, then let it rest for 30 seconds.
- Pour hot water into a heat-safe mug and stir in the honey until fully dissolved.
- Add 2 oz Montucky Moonshine and the lemon juice.
- Drop in the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Let it steep for 1 to 2 minutes, then serve warm.
Serve It In
A thick-walled ceramic mug or a double-wall glass mug that lets you see the golden color. By the campfire, an enamel camp mug is the way to go. It holds heat, survives drops, and looks better with a few dents.
Complete the Moment
Grab the Montucky Moonshine Mug for your toddy and the Montucky Hoodie for the rest of you. Both built for nights exactly like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of honey works best?
Raw, local honey adds the most complexity. Wildflower and clover honey both work well. Avoid ultra-processed honey, which tastes flat. If you can find Montana-sourced honey, even better.
Is a hot toddy actually good for a cold?
The warm liquid soothes a sore throat, the honey coats it, the lemon provides vitamin C, and the moonshine helps you care less about being sick. It is not medicine, but it is not nothing either.
Can I skip the cloves?
Yes. Cloves add a warm, slightly numbing spice that some people love and others find overpowering. Start with two and adjust next time. The cinnamon stick alone carries enough spice to make a great toddy.