I can’t seem to catch a break; after 4 weeks of a nonstop cough and sleepless nights I can’t deny I was getting weary. So like I’m sure all of you would do, dying be damned, I forced myself to get to the grocery store for cat food. Our local grocery just happens to have a clinic inside of it (seriously); when I walked by I decided to stop for some advice; you know, thinking enough was enough? Well, the good news is that I am apparently not sick enough to be hospitalized but with the symptoms of pneunomia I have what is referred to as ‘walking pneumonia.’ I haven’t been sick like this in a very long time but really, no big surprise. After months and months of nonstop stress and exhaustion, this body of mine had nothing left for a fight. Damn you Airborne, you failed me when I needed you most!
So, I’ve been relegated to actually acting sick and ordered to get some bed rest. Like lay in bed. I think they meant ALL DAY. That is so hard, I have pictures to hang and recipes to make and, and, and…and I guess I will listen because I want this scourge to be gone I tell ya!
I decided that I would try one of those home remedies to help relieve this cough; one I made for a friend just recently to soothe her raw throat and dry hack, just an old wives tale mixture of bourbon, honey and lemon. Which is really what is called a Hot Toddy if taken as a libation. OK, I’m ready to libate; if it’s whiskey I need to sleep through the night at least it’s in a concoction that sounds yummy.
I did take the liberty of spicing it up a bit and it hit the spot. I added a bit of brown sugar and used star anise and cinnamon for spices but experiment with any of the warmer spices you love; I can imagine nutmeg or ginger or cardamon off the top of my head. I’m fading fast but this is good enough not only for what ails you but a great warming drink for those nights we are still sure to have before the warmth of spring starts to creep to our doorstep (which by the way we would like to have please hurry).
Cheers. And goodnight.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: One cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz. bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 to 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 star anise
- 1 strip lemon peel
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup boiling hot water
Preparation
- Place all the ingredients into a glass and stir with the cinnamon stick. Top with boiling water and stir a bit more. Sip carefully; it's HOT!
