I, like everyone else in the known universe, have a cold.
When one has two small children, it is inevitable. Boo has had a runny nose practically nonstop since he began daycare, and Nuni has a nagging cough that seems to be going around Kindergarten. I am the one who wipes the noses, who picks up the grubby toys, who finishes the half eaten food. I am on the receiving end of many hugs, many kisses, and many germs.
Sometimes, in my more bitter moments, I think back to the halcyon days of my childhood. When I was sick, I took to my bed with a mug of my mother’s homemade chicken soup and the admonition to get lots of sleep. Now, I drag myself to the office (because I have to save my sick days for the times when my CHILDREN are sick, natch), fix the chicken soup myself for everyone else to eat, get all the children to bed and then settle in for the night and do dishes (or, you know, write a blog post.) And sleep? I like to joke that I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep since 2006. It’s only sort of a joke.
The one consolation of a grown up cold is the hot toddy. It’s the adult’s answer to mom’s chicken soup. Now, there are many recipes for hot toddies out there, but mine is best, because mine is medicinal. Lemon is chock full of vitamin C and boosts your immune system. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Honey is another health food – the liquid soothes a scratchy throat, and it’s also a known antiviral and antibacterial substance. The steam from the boiling water helps clear your sinuses. And the whisky – well – alcohol is in most cough medicines, right?
It may not be the cure for the common cold, but if you drink enough of these, I’ll guarantee that you will forget your misery. At least temporarily.
- 1 shot scotch whisky (you can use bourbon if that's all you have, but I won't vouch for the results.)
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- juice from ½ lemon
- boiling water
- Mix the whisky, honey and lemon juice in a mug.
- Fill with boiling water.
- Drink.
I think i need one of these. I’ve had this cold for almost 2 weeks and can certainly use something to forget my misery. And it must be much tastier than 99% of the remedies out there :-). Get well soon, I’ll drink to your health 🙂
It works to PREVENT colds too, doesn’t it? (looking hopeful)
Just been advised by my Doctor to make my self one of these rather than take an over-the-counter cough medicine! She says it really does help to suppress coughs and let you sleep. Kettle on now…
Thank you for this trick, it also works in Italy! 😉
Glad to hear it!
Very nice, but you don’t use a single malt, and certainly not a Balvenie for a hot toddy…..
Eveline – I usually drink scotch neat, but when I have a cold I use what’s in the house – my neat whisky (in this case Balvenie) There are some single malts that are so reasonably priced that I buy them instead of a blend – I can get a Lismore for the same price as Dewar’s, and so I usually buy that.