Warm Spiced Rum Toddy Cocktail Recipe

When the air turns chilly, I find myself craving something warm and comforting to sip. A spiced rum toddy fits the bill perfectly—it’s simple, smells incredible, and honestly, it’s just a great way to unwind after a long day.

This drink is easy to pull together but feels special, with cozy spices and that rich kick of rum. Whether you’re having friends over or just need a little treat for yourself, a warm spiced rum toddy really hits the spot.

I’ll walk you through what you need and how I like to make it, so you can whip one up whenever the mood strikes.

Warm Spiced Rum Toddy Cocktail Recipe

There’s something about a warm spiced rum toddy that just makes a cool evening better. The mix of rum, honey, and spices is cozy and flavorful, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to make it at home.

Fresh lemon juice and warming spices like cinnamon and clove add both taste and a bit of comfort. I mean, who doesn’t love a drink that smells as good as it tastes?

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Heatproof mug or glass
• Measuring spoons
• Citrus juicer or reamer
• Fine mesh strainer (optional)
• Stirring spoon
• Paring knife or peeler (for orange peel)

I always reach for a small saucepan to heat everything up, and a heatproof mug is a must if you want your drink to stay hot. A citrus juicer helps squeeze every drop from the lemon, and if you want a super smooth toddy, a fine mesh strainer comes in handy.

The paring knife makes prepping the orange peel garnish a breeze. Little things like that make the process easier.

Ingredients

• 2 oz spiced rum
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 star anise (optional)
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Orange peel (for garnish)

I go for spiced rum, but honestly, dark rum works if that’s what you have. Honey brings a nice sweetness and blends in well, though maple syrup is a tasty swap if you want something different.

Fresh lemon juice keeps things from getting too sweet. I like to toss in a cinnamon stick, a couple of cloves, and sometimes a star anise if I’m feeling fancy. A pinch of nutmeg on top and a twist of orange peel just make it feel extra cozy.

Instructions

• Add water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise to a small saucepan.
• Heat on medium until it just starts to simmer, then lower the heat and let it steep for 3–4 minutes.
• Take off the heat.
• Add spiced rum, honey, and lemon juice to your heatproof mug.
• Strain the hot spiced water into the mug, tossing out the whole spices.
• Stir until the honey or maple syrup is fully dissolved.
• Garnish with orange peel and a pinch of nutmeg.
• Serve while it’s still hot.

Letting the spices steep just long enough gives you all the flavor without turning bitter. I’ve found that a few minutes is usually perfect—you want the spices to shine, but not overpower the rum.

Notes

You can play with the sweetness by adding more or less honey or maple syrup. Not a fan of one of the spices? Just leave it out, or maybe try a slice or two of fresh ginger for a different vibe.

I usually stick with spiced rum, but honestly, any rum you have on hand will do. Sometimes I’ll switch up the orange peel for blood orange or tangerine if I want to change things up a bit.

Use what you love, and make the recipe your own. That’s half the fun, right?

Tasting Notes

When I take a sip of the warm spiced rum toddy, the gentle heat from the rum hits me first. It’s smooth, honestly—comforting in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve tried it.

The spices show up next, especially cinnamon and cloves. They bring a cozy warmth that just sort of wraps around the sweetness from the honey.

I catch a bit of citrus too, probably from a twist of lemon or orange. That brightness lifts the whole thing, keeping the spices from feeling too heavy.

The finish? It’s soothing and just a touch sweet. The mix of spices, citrus, and rum hangs around after each sip, and, well, I usually want another.

I tend to reach for this drink when I want something cozy that isn’t too heavy or overly sweet. The aroma is inviting, and the warmth makes it perfect for a cool evening.

Every sip gives me that nice balance of spice, fruit, and gentle heat.