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Healthline
healthline.com › health › cold-and-flu › will-whiskey-help-with-a-cold
Will Whiskey Help a Cold? Myths and Facts for Cold Remedies
July 14, 2022 - Due to alcohol’s immunosuppressive and dehydrating effects, it’s not recommended as a remedy for the common cold. A hot toddy is a rumored cold remedy that contains hot water, lemon juice, honey, and alcohol — such as brandy, rum, or whiskey.
Discussions

Drink whiskey while sick?
I make hot toddies. Some kind of tea plus honey, lemon, and cheap scotch or bourbon. I've been using J&B. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/bourbon
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April 3, 2014
Genuine question about a hot whiskey when sick
It'll depend on the ingredients. Plenty of lemon and cloves will help with congestion, and the honey (and the whiskey) will soothe your throat etc, but mostly for me it's an excuse... 🤭 More on reddit.com
🌐 r/ireland
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December 27, 2022
People also ask

Is it safe to drink a lot when sick?
No, too much alcohol dehydrates and weakens your immune system.
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minuman.com
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Best Alcoholic Drinks for Cold and Cough (That Actually Help You ...
What’s the safest way to enjoy alcohol when sick?
Keep it light, mix with honey, lemon, or warm water, and drink in moderation.
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minuman.com
minuman.com › home › all › all
Best Alcoholic Drinks for Cold and Cough (That Actually Help You ...
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Angel's Envy
angelsenvy.com › us › en › guide › whiskey-content › cold-comfort-can-whiskey-help-with-the-common-cold
Cold Comfort: Can Whiskey Help with the Common Cold? | Angel's Envy US
January 15, 2025 - While it’s true that there’s no cure for the common cold, new studies (and centuries of practical wisdom) show that whiskey can help mitigate some of the symptoms.
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Caring Senior Service
caringseniorservice.com › home › the hotty toddy: grandpa’s cure for the common cold
The Hotty Toddy: Grandpa's Cure for the Common Cold
October 7, 2025 - Robert Bentley Todd, an Irish doctor who prescribed patients a mix of hot brandy, water, cinnamon, and sugar. Another story suggests a Scottish pub served whiskey diluted with hot water to keep patrons warm. Regardless of its true origins, the hot toddy has remained a beloved warm drink for colds, especially during the winter months.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/bourbon › drink whiskey while sick?
r/bourbon on Reddit: Drink whiskey while sick?
April 3, 2014 -

Do you? I've got a moderately nasty cold at the moment and have had for a few days now. I find that a dram or two of whiskey really helps take the edge off all the symptoms for a couple hours. Of course I don't mix it with medications and I always make sure I stay well-hydrated. Since my nose is a bit plugged up (though not that bad), I don't drink any of the good stuff, but stick with the cheaper standard offerings.

Anyway, I'm just curious if you guys take a break completely while sick or what.

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Mumsnet
mumsnet.com › home › talk › chat
Is whiskey good for a cold ? | Mumsnet
January 7, 2025 - A hot whiskey and lemon (and honey if you like) can be very comforting when you're feeling low with a rotten cold. It's warming and soothing and can help you sleep. Also, I can recommend a good hot chocolate with brandy, or dark rum, or whiskey....
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Glenora Distillery
glenoradistillery.com › our-blog › 2023 › 12 › 31 › can-whisky-help-a-sore-throat
Can Whisky Help a Sore Throat?
April 29, 2025 - Whisky's key ingredients, namely alcohol and phenols, boast natural antiseptic properties that may help soothe your ailing throat.
Address   13727 Route 19, Glenville Mabou, Nova Scotia B0E 1X0, Canada
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The Guardian
theguardian.com › wellness › 2025 › dec › 09 › is-hot-toddy-whiskey-remedy-good-when-sick
Is it a good idea to have a hot toddy when you’re sick? | Well actually | The Guardian
December 9, 2025 - The hot toddy has a reputation as a folk remedy for illness. And if you’re sick, a steaming cup of whisky, honey, lemon, and water can sound like a lot more fun than crackers and broth. But what about the alcohol? Here’s what experts say about hot toddies and colds.
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Cailleachs Herbarium
cailleachs-herbarium.com › home
Hot toddy Recipe | Scottish Cold Cure | Cailleachs Herbarium
June 23, 2025 - Apparently the British liked it so much it made it back to our shores in the U.K. At this point however, it was always drunk cold · The Scottish hot toddy version, which came with it heated, was made with whisky, honey and warming spices and acted as a preventative for the common cold.
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Minuman
minuman.com › home › all › all
Best Alcoholic Drinks for Cold and Cough (That Actually Help You Feel Better)
September 20, 2025 - While alcohol doesn’t actually cure a cold, certain drinks have been used in traditional remedies to help ease symptoms and provide temporary relief. If you plan to drink, just remember too much alcohol can dehydrate you and actually make your symptoms worse. Here are some of the most commonly used options: Whiskey or brandy are the stars of many home remedies, especially the classic hot toddy.
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VinePair
vinepair.com › wine-blog › drunk-aunt-right-hot-toddy-cure-common-cold
Your Aunt Was Right: The Hot Toddy Is the Cure for the Common Cold | VinePair
July 13, 2022 - And it turns out that the core ... much the same thing. A great decongestant, the alcohol in whiskey dilates the blood vessels, making it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection....
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Just Easy Recipes
justeasyrecipes.com › home › how to make a hot toddy for colds and flu
How to Make a Hot Toddy for Colds and Flu - Just Easy Recipes
March 7, 2025 - A classic Hot Toddy Recipe for Colds and Flu made with just a handful of ingredients. ... In a large heatproof glass or ceramic mug, add the hot water. Then add the whiskey, honey and lemon juice and give it a swirl to mix everything together.* (See Note)
Time   10:00
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Riot Fest
riotfest.org › 2017 › 01 › 18 › feeling-sick-science-says-drink-whiskey
Feeling Sick? Science Says You Should Drink Whiskey - Riot Fest
December 4, 2018 - William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News, “The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection”.
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Jameson Irish Whiskey
jamesonwhiskey.com › en-ie › cocktail-recipes › hot-toddy
Jameson Hot Toddy Recipe | Irish Hot Whiskey
So if you’re feeling the cold, this is one of our favourite classic whiskey cocktails to warm you up! ... Pour into a heated glass or mug before squeezing the lemon into the drink. ... Add 1 x Kg Caster sugar, 600ml water, 5 Irish tea bags, 5 x cloves, 3 x cinnamon sticks, 3 x star Anais, 2 x cracked nutmeg, tsp of all spice to a saucepan and bring to a simmer for at least 20 mins; Leave the contents to sit covered overnight before straining through a fine strainer; Keep all spices in a piece of cheese cloth or a coffee filter while making the syrup.
Time   20:00
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True Kinship
truekinship.com › whiskey-when-youre-sick-yes-enjoy-a-hot-toddy
Whiskey When You're Sick? Yes! Enjoy a Hot Toddy
December 15, 2016 - And experts agree that though there might not be a direct link between drinking a hot toddy and getting over your cold faster, anything you can do to minimize stress while you are feeling sick will help your body fight off the infection. If you ask us, we think a hot toddy is the perfect way to do just that! *Don’t mix alcohol with herbal tea that already contains a sedative, like valerian root. By hladmin|2016-12-15T19:22:12+00:00December 15th, 2016|Categories: Blog| Ring in 2017 With This New Year’s Whiskey Tradition From Scotland
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Verywell Health
verywellhealth.com › does-whiskey-help-a-cold-11684222
Why Whiskey Won't Help Ease Your Cold Symptoms
December 12, 2024 - The ingredients, including honey, lemon, and hot water, have each improved cold symptoms like a cough or sore throat. While some hot toddy recipes call for alcohol, some research suggests that adding alcohol could be counterproductive because it impairs the body’s ability to defend against infections.
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Inspired Taste
inspiredtaste.net › 28250 › easy-hot-toddy-recipe
Easy Hot Toddy Recipe
January 5, 2026 - When the temperatures drop, we love mixing up a hot toddy! If you’ve never had one, it’s a classic warm cocktail made with whiskey and hot water. For our version, we keep things simple but add a few small twists that make it extra special. A squeeze of fresh lemon, honey for sweetness, and we love to swap the traditional hot water for tea, which adds even more flavor.
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Haskells
blog.haskells.com › alcohol-remedies-for-colds
Healing Powers: 4 Alcohol Remedies for Colds
January 23, 2024 - Those have antibacterial properties to address the bacteria your body is fighting. Bolster your system by mixing them: ... Pour whiskey and honey into a mug, add lemon juice and then water.
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Whisky and More
whiskyandmore.co.nz › blogs › whisky-and-more-blog › 159508423-7-whisky-drinks-that-could-help-cure-your-cold
7 Whisky drinks that could help cure your cold – Whisky and More
3. Old Irish Cure According to the Irish-born chef Sean Muldoon, Irish people often drink whiskey mixed with ginger, honey and lemon to treat colds.