It's during this time of year that I totally embrace my inner homebody. With the cold temps I justify binge-watching the latest tv show with which we've become helplessly addicted. Currently, that has included the second season of Fargo (so good) and making our way back through episodes of Cheers. There's no such thing as too much Ted Danson, right?
Recently, as I was recipe testing candied citrus for Sarah's #cheesebabyshower, I had quite a bit of syrup left over. Heath and I were about to sit down and cozy up for another Fargo-fest when we realized we were out of wine. What to do! Staring me in the face was the remainder of the syrup from the candied citrus. Bingo! The leftover syrup was citrus-infused simple syrup. How good would that be in a hot toddy?!
The process of infusing the simple syrup naturally candies the citrus. Once the syrup is ready, place the citrus on a wire rack, allow it to dry completely, and you have a candied garnish for your drink!
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- For the Winter Citrus Simple Syrup:
- 10-12 thin slices of one type or assorted citrus (I used navel, cara cara, blood orange, and lemon)
- 1 cup unrefined organic cane sugar
- 1 cup water
- For the Hot Toddy:
- 1 ½ ounces bourbon
- 2 teaspoons winter citrus simple syrup
- 3 ounces black tea, hot
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 candied citrus slice or fresh citrus slice, for garnish
- For the Winter Citrus Simple Syrup: In a medium skillet, bring cane sugar and water to a simmer, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved. Add citrus slices in a single layer. Simmer for about an hour or until citrus rinds are almost translucent.
- When the citrus slices are done, remove the saucepan from the heat. Using tongs or chopsticks, remove citrus slices and place on a wire rack with a piece of parchment paper placed underneath to catch drips. Allow citrus slices to dry completely and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Save remaining syrup from the saucepan in an airtight container and store in refrigerator.
- To make the Hot Toddy:
- Add first three ingredients into a mug. Stir with cinnamon stick and leave in mug. Add citrus slice for garnish if desired. Note: If garnishing with a candied slice, it will make the hot toddy sweeter.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
This sounds so warming! I think I'd take this over a glass of wine any winter day, plus this is a wonderful way to take advantage of all the blood oranges in season! <3
Tessa
Yes, I have definitely been taking it over wine - too cold to have anything else! ;) I wish blood orange season wasn't so short! Thanks, Genevieve! xo.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
This sounds perfectly delicious Tessa! So warm and comforting for those chilly nights! I LOVE blood orange season! Your photos are simply stunning too!
Tessa
Thank you so much, Mary Ann. I love the act of holding a warm mug while I'm reading, watching a movie, or just having a conversation. Holding a warm cocktail is even better! ;) xo.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
Love the idea of embracing your inner homebody - it sounds poetic and healing but most of all fun ;-) such a cozy time of year... this is a beautiful & delicious sounding recipe Tessa with so much taste complexity. It's funny, I enjoy warming drinks of this nature (like mulled ciders/wines) through the fall but why haven't I thought of making this in the dead of winter! Makes so much sense, thank you. ps. admiring what you've done with the inverted pot... so clever, I thought it was an antique stool when I first saw it on IG.
Tessa
Oh so fun!! I love to travel and seek new adventures, but when it comes down to it, I love just cozying up at home. Thank you so much, Kelly. I'm so glad you like the inverted pot - I don't have much in the way of props and was trying to use what I had! :) Hope you are having a good week. <3
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Tessa! I had the EXACT same thought when I made my candied lemons for Sarah's baby shower cheesecake. I knew all that leftover syrup would be good for something! This hot toddy is perfection!
Meghan | Fox and Briar
My husband and I just finished binge watching Fargo, so good! This hot toddy is beautiful, and I love those candied citrus slices! So beautiful, pinning!
Tessa
When we first started the second season of Fargo I thought I was going to like the first season better...nope! So good!! Thank you, Meghan! :)
Amanda Paa
No wine - gasp! Such a good idea to use the syrup to make this hot toddy. I don't think I would have been that smart. Cheers, my friend. Also, can you eat the candied citrus rind? I've always wondered that. xo
Tessa
Hahaha, I know, right? Don't like being wine-less. ;) Yes, you can totally eat the candied rind. The thinner you can slice the citrus the better, but I have definitely been eating the rind. Thank you, friend! <3
Sarah // The Sugar Hit
May I say...I'm so jealous. It's the super hot, super humid middle of summer here in Queensland (Australia) and I am dyingggg for some winter! I want a hot toddy and a blanket. This hot toddy in particular, it sounds amazing.
Tessa
Haha, and I am jealous of your super hot summer! There is definitely something so great about cold weather, a blanket, and a hot toddy. Thanks so much, Sarah!!
Emilie @ The Clever Carrot
This makes me want to curl up on the couch and watch movies, Tessa! What I wouldn't do for a warm mug right now. Beautiful.
Tessa
Sometimes curling up and watching movies on the couch is just the very best. I always like to think of it as my "mental health break". :) Thank you so much, Emilie! <3
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
OMGeee Tessa, I do an inner freak out too if I ran out of wine! eeeeK! Good thing you had a bit of inspiration with this hot toddy! I've never had one, but oh my, that needs to change! What a delight! And I'm a big bourbon fan! No doubt, I'm such a homebody too... I catching up on all my fave PBS shows like Nature, Chef and the Farmer and others... then there's the bachelor (!!). Need wine for that! It's lazy for sure, but I love this reprieve from the other busy parts of the year. Pure bliss!
Tessa
Hahaha, the wine scare is real! Ohh, I'll have to check out Chef and the Farmer. Hot toddies are so comforting, I think you will like! And I totally agree, a little couch time to watch shows is a welcome reprieve from the busyness for sure. <3
Christine
Tessa this is lovely! It sounds like we are living parallel lives right now with hot toddies, netflix marathons, running out of wine (haha sadly true) and embracing the coziness of being inside <3