Haven’t you heard? Today is National Hot Toddy Day, and frankly with the cold snap that just moved in, we’re about ready for a warm and potent drink. The following 10 Bay Area bars are offering their spin on the beloved winter elixir, which at its core is simply some sort of spirit, hot water and lemon.
Elixir: In honor of the faux holiday, the bartenders at this Mission bar are discounting their house Hot Toddy ($8 all day, normally $10), which is made with Trace Bourbon and their house blend of baking spices.
Blackbird: Warm your innards at this Castro/Upper Market bar slinging a Hot Toddy ($6) made with single-barrel bourbon and Earl Grey syrup.
Blackbird: Warm your innards at this Castro/Upper Market bar slinging a Hot Toddy ($6) made with single-barrel bourbon and Earl Grey syrup.
15 Romolo: For a holiday twist to the winter classic, ask for the Lost WiseMen ($10) at this North Beach cocktail den, a potent blend of Smith and Cross rum, bitters and brown sugar.
Rye: This Tenderloin cocktail outfit offers its own spin with The Hot Ta-dah ($11) made with Wild Turkey Rye, Averna, ginger syrup, Angostora bitters, nutmeg, lemon and a sprig of rosemary..
Redwood Room: At this Nob Hill bar, the Spiced Toddy features Bacardi Oakheart, chai bitters, hot water and honey served with a clove studded lemon twist (around $10-15).
Presidio Social Club:Over in the Presidio, the PSC Hot Buttered Rum ($10), a collaboration between Drinks Ambassador Tim Stookey and pastry chef Rene Cruz, features top shelf rum infused with a Brown Sugar Toffee Sauce made of butter, brown sugar, cream and whole nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
Top of the Mark: The namesake Mark Hopkins Toddy ($13) at this Nob Hill haunt, available now through March, features spiced rum, peppermint schnapps and hot tea.
Bar 888:Throughout the month of January, warm yourself with the Wrap Your Hands Around This, a hot buttered rum cocktail laced with lashings of ginger and vanilla cocktail ($10) that's served at the bar adjacent to Luce Restaurant at SoMa’s Intercontinental.
FIVE: The signature Hot Toddy ($8.73) at the bar at this downtown Berkeley hotel restaurant will make you warm and fuzzy by way of Knob Creek Bourbon and Jim Beam flavored with lemon juice and brown sugar spiced simple syrup.
Orzya Bistro Asiana: If your shopping takes you to the Westfield Valley Fair, consider dropping into this contemporary Southeast Asian newcomer that’s offering the Honey Lemon ($5 during happy hour), the Asian answer to the traditional hot toddy. The winter cocktail gets its kick from soju and it’s flavoring from fresh lemon and honey.
