Cocktails & Drinks Festive & Seasonal

Hot Whiskey with Autumn Spices

A warming Irish whiskey cocktail infused with autumn spices, lemon, and rosemary. Simple to make with optional honey for sweetness. Perfect for cold evenings.

5 (2 reviews)
By Ricky Robinson Updated October 7, 2025

This is a warming drink that does exactly what you'd hope for on a cold evening. It's Irish whiskey with hot water, fresh lemon, and a handful of aromatic spices that turn it into something a bit more interesting than your standard hot toddy. The result is comforting without being overly sweet or heavy.

The combination works because each element has a job to do. The whiskey provides the base warmth, whilst the lemon adds brightness that stops it feeling too heavy. The spices – cloves, cinnamon, star anise – bring depth without overpowering everything, and the rosemary is there for a herbal note that ties it all together nicely.

The spices steep naturally in the hot whiskey, developing rich flavours without needing any complicated technique.
Hot Whiskey with Autumn Spices recipe image
Hot Whiskey with Autumn Spices - Close-up

What makes this drink straightforward is that there's no faffing about. You're essentially steeping spices in hot whiskey and water, which means the flavours develop naturally without needing much input from you. The whole thing takes about ten minutes from start to finish, and most of that is just waiting for the kettle to boil.

The honey is completely optional. Some people like a bit of sweetness to round things out, others prefer it as is. If you're drinking this for medicinal reasons then the honey might be a welcome touch. Both ways work fine, so you can decide based on your own taste or how you're feeling that day.

This is the sort of drink that's handy to have in your repertoire when the weather turns. It's simple enough that you won't need to check the recipe after making it once or twice, but it feels more considered than just pouring whiskey into a mug with a tea bag.

One thing worth mentioning is that the spices can be left in whilst you drink, or fished out after a few minutes if you want a gentler flavour. Either approach is grand. The rosemary sprig, though, is best removed before you start sipping unless you want a very strong herbal hit.

Hot Whiskey with Autumn Spices

Lemon Rosemary Whiskey
Total Time 10 min
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 170 cal
Protein 0g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Kettle
  • Heatproof Glass

Instructions

  1. 1
    Place the cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and rosemary sprig into a heatproof glass or mug.
  2. 2
    Add the whiskey and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the glass.
  3. 3
    Pour the boiling water over the ingredients and stir gently to combine.
  4. 4
    Add honey if desired and stir until dissolved.
  5. 5
    Garnish with a lemon slice and allow to steep for 2-3 minutes before drinking.
  6. 6
    Remove the whole spices and rosemary sprig before enjoying, or leave them in for a stronger flavour as you sip.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Serving Suggestions

Best served hot in a heatproof glass or mug. Garnish with a lemon slice and leave the whole spices in for visual appeal, removing them before drinking.

Variations

For a non-alcoholic version, replace the whiskey with additional hot water and a splash of apple juice. You can also try using bourbon instead of Irish whiskey for a sweeter, smokier flavour.

Hot Whiskey with Autumn Spices - Styled Shot

Rate & Review

5 • 2 reviews

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