Land of Fire Hot Toddy

An Azerbaijan Inspired Cocktail

Azerbaijan sits sandwiched between Russian in the North, Georgia & Armenia to the West, and Iran to the South, so it would make sense that the food and drink customs are influenced by a variety of cultures and religious practices. As I did my research for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, most of the drink recipes I found were non-alcoholic so I wasn’t sure if I would include a cocktail recipe for this race. I was pretty surprised to learn, over a daily morning kickoff, that a coworker of mine’s father was from Azerbaijan and gifted me with a bottle of Azerbaijani brandy, straight from Baku. I was instantly inspired to make a play on a hot toddy, using a little extra spice (Azerbaijan is the “Land of Fire” after all) and my new bottle of brandy. Of course you have substitute this Baku brandy with any brandy or cognac you have at home and still have a deliciously comforting post-Azerbaijani dinner cocktail. This cocktails pairs particularly well with my Ginger & Rose Persian Love Cake.

Making the Hot Toddy spiced honey syrup

In a small sauce pan add your honey, water, and spices listed below. Bring just to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, then set aside to cool. Strain the syrup into a jar and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. This syrup is also divine as the sweet element of an Old Fashioned.

Serving the Hot Toddy

To make the Hot Toddy cocktail, start by putting on the tea kettle. In a mug, add honey syrup, lemon juice, cognac or brandy, and hot water. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a piece of cinnamon bark. Enjoy with cake and cuddles.

Land of Fire Hot Toddy

Chili. Ginger. Cognac. The perfect Hot Toddy make extra special with spirits straight from Baku.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Cooling 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course cocktails

Cuisine Azerbaijan

Servings 1 drink

Ingredients

  

• 1 oz. spicy honey syrup
• 1.5 oz. cognac
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• ¾ cup boiling water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 lemon slice

Spiced Honey Syrup

• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cinnamon stick
• ½ inch fresh ginger, peeled
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 10 cloves
• 2 star anise
• 4 cardamon pods
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

 

Spiced Honey Syrup

• In a medium saucepan, bring water, honey, and spices to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil together for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat and strain into a mason jar. Add the vanilla extract and let cool for 30 minutes.

Cocktail

• In a glass mug, add the cognac, lemon juice, and spiced honey syrup. Add the hot water and stir. Garnish with the cinnamon stick and lemon slice and enjoy warm.

Keyword cocktails, cognac, hot toddy