Hot Toddy

* 4 or 5 whole cloves
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 1 star anise
* 1 teaspoon honey
* 1/2 cup boiling water
* 1 1/2 ounces brandy
* Lemon wedge

Combine the cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and honey in a heat-proof snifter. Top with the boiling water and stir to melt the honey. Add brandy. Squeeze in the lemon wedge and drop it into the snifter.

This is a fancier version of the classic hot toddy, which traditionally doesn’t include the cloves, cinnamon, or anise. Adding these extras and letting it steep for a few minutes produces a delicious smelling cocktail that tastes just as good. It’s a nice twist on an old favorite, especially on a cold day like today. It’s like hot tea, only better.

Recipe from The Art of the Bar.