Name: Turmeric Hot Toddy
Yield: Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients: ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¾ tsp. ground turmeric; 1 ½ oz. Amontillado sherry; 1 oz. bourbon, aged rum, Scotch, mezcal, or gin; 1 oz. Turmeric Syrup; ½ oz. fresh lemon juice; Garnish: Dehydrated lemon wheel (optional)

Photo of two glasses of Hunky Hot Toddy with a pinch bowl of turmeric and a pinch bowl of sliced lemons.

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton

This golden-hued turmeric hot toddy from Claire Sprouse of Brooklyn’s Hunky Dory is wonderfully savory from the combination of nutty Amontillado sherry and earthy turmeric. Sprouse invites guests to pick their own spirit—the drink is surprisingly versatile—but we particularly like this formula with bourbon, which shares a certain warmth with the sherry.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

Turmeric Syrup

¼ cup granulated sugar

¾ tsp. ground turmeric

Hot Toddy

1 ½ oz. Amontillado sherry

1 oz. bourbon, aged rum, Scotch, mezcal, or gin

1 oz. Turmeric Syrup

½ oz. fresh lemon juice

Garnish: Dehydrated lemon wheel (optional)

Preparation

Step 1
For the turmeric syrup, combine ½ cup hot water and ¼ cup sugar in a liquid measuring cup or mason jar. Add ¾ tsp. ground turmeric and stir—or seal and shake—until sugar is completely dissolved. (This makes enough syrup for 4 drinks. Syrup can be used immediately or refrigerated, covered, up to 10 days. Shake or stir before using to reincorporate turmeric.)
Step 2
For the toddy, combine 1 ½ oz. Amontillado sherry, 1 oz. bourbon (or other spirit of choice), 1 oz. Turmeric Syrup, and ½ oz. fresh lemon juice in a sturdy pint glass or 16-ounce thermos. Top with 8 oz. hot water and stir gently. Garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel if desired.