Ingredients:

  • 3 1/3 cups (800 ml) Unsweetened Apple Juice (Clear or Cloudy)
  • 2-inch piece (5 cm knob) Fresh Ginger, roughly sliced (unpeeled)
  • 2 large Whole Cinnamon Sticks
  • 4 Whole Star Anise Pods
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 Tablespoons (60 g) Good quality Honey
  • 7 fl oz (200 ml) Quality Bourbon or Irish Whisky
  • 4 thin slices of fresh Orange or Lemon (for garnish)
  • 4 extra Star Anise pods (for garnish)
  • 4 small sprigs of Rosemary (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Combine the apple juice, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, lemon juice, and honey in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until the honey is completely dissolved.
  2. Bring the mixture just to a gentle simmer—watch for tiny bubbles at the edges, but do not allow it to roll boil. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting or remove from the heat, cover, and allow to steep for 5 minutes to deepen the spice notes.
  3. Carefully pour the spiced apple mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or back into the saucepan to strain out the spices and ginger. Taste the base and adjust sweetness or tartness if needed.
  4. Return the strained liquid to the saucepan and heat again until it is steaming hot, ensuring it remains well below boiling point.
  5. While the base is heating, pre-warm your four serving mugs by filling them with hot water for 30 seconds, then discarding the water.
  6. Remove the saucepan completely from the heat source. Pour the measured Bourbon or Irish Whisky into the hot apple base and stir briefly to combine. Never boil alcohol after adding it.
  7. Ladle the hot Toddy evenly into the pre-warmed mugs. Garnish each serving with a slice of citrus, an extra star anise pod, and a sprig of rosemary, if using. Serve immediately.