White Wine Hot Toddy: The Cozy Cocktail Your Winter Nights Need

Forget the whiskey for a night — this White Wine Hot Toddy trades the usual smoky base for something brighter and altogether more sippable. A good dry white wine gets warmed gently with honey, lemon, and a handful of cozy spices until it smells like the inside of a candle shop you never want to leave. It’s the kind of drink that turns a cold porch or a quiet living room into an occasion. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or just treating yourself after a long week, this one comes together in about ten minutes flat.

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Why This White Wine Hot Toddy Belongs on Your Party Menu

Most hot toddy recipes lean on whiskey, and there’s nothing wrong with that — but a white wine version gives you something lighter and more floral, without losing any of the warmth. The wine’s natural acidity plays beautifully against the honey and lemon, so the drink never tips into cloying territory the way some mulled cocktails can.

It’s also an easy sell at a party. Guests who don’t love the intensity of straight whiskey will still reach for a mug of this, and it looks gorgeous steaming away in a slow cooker or pot on the stove. Set it up as a self-serve station and you’ve basically solved your holiday party drink menu in one move.

And selfishly, it’s the drink you’ll want on a random Tuesday when it’s cold outside and you just want something that feels a little special without much effort.

The ingredient list is refreshingly short, and there’s plenty of room to customize it with what you already have on hand.

Everything You’ll Need

• 2 cups dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work well)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 cinnamon sticks, plus extra for garnish
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 thin slices fresh ginger
• 1 lemon, sliced, for garnish
• Optional: 1-2 oz brandy or bourbon per mug, for extra warmth

Bottle Picks & Easy Swaps

Stick with a dry, crisp white wine that isn’t too oaky — a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or unoaked Chardonnay all work well here, since the spices and honey add plenty of warmth on their own. Something like a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc style, bright and citrus-forward, is a reliable choice if you’re not sure where to start.

If you’d rather skip the wine entirely, a good white grape juice or non-alcoholic white wine gives you the same cozy base without the alcohol — just cut the honey slightly, since those tend to be a touch sweeter already. No fresh ginger on hand? A pinch of ground ginger works in a pinch, though the flavor will be a little less bright.

Bar Tools You’ll Want

This isn’t a shaken drink, but a few basics still make the process smoother and give you a reason to finally get that gift-worthy bar set out of the box. A 6-piece stainless steel bar set with a jigger, spoon, and strainer is genuinely handy here for measuring the honey and lemon juice precisely and stirring everything together without dripping down the side of the pot.

• Small saucepan or pot
• Jigger, for measuring the honey and lemon juice accurately (this stainless steel jigger makes quick work of it)
• Long-handled spoon, for stirring
• A muddler, if you want to gently press the ginger slices to release more flavor before they hit the pot (a simple wooden or stainless muddler does the job in seconds)
• Heatproof mugs

Once everything is prepped, this cocktail comes together in just a few minutes.

Let’s Mix It Up

1. Combine the base: Add the white wine, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger slices to a small saucepan.
2. Warm gently: Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the honey dissolves and the wine is steaming — about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t let it boil, or you’ll cook off the alcohol and some of the aroma.
3. Taste and adjust: Give it a quick taste and add a touch more honey or lemon juice if you want it sweeter or brighter.
4. Strain and pour: Strain out the cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, then pour into heatproof mugs.
5. Add the extra kick (optional): Stir in an ounce or two of brandy or bourbon per mug if you want more warmth.
6. Garnish and serve: Top each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick and a lemon slice, then serve immediately while it’s still steaming.

Host’s Tips for the Best White Wine Hot Toddy

• Keep the heat low and slow. High heat will boil off the alcohol and dull the wine’s flavor faster than you’d expect.
• Toast the whole spices in the dry pot for 30 seconds before adding the liquid — it wakes up their flavor and makes the whole kitchen smell incredible.
• For a crowd, make a double or triple batch in a slow cooker set to low or warm, and let guests ladle their own.
• Use a good, real honey rather than the ultra-processed kind — it dissolves more smoothly and adds a rounder flavor.
• Serve in mugs with handles, not stemmed glassware, so no one has to hold a hot glass by the bowl.

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak for different tastes and occasions.

Easy Ways to Make It Your Own

Swap the lemon for orange slices and a star anise pod or two for a more holiday-leaning version, or add a splash of pomegranate juice for a rosy color and a slightly tart edge. If you want something boozier, a splash of spiced rum alongside the wine gives it a deeper, more dessert-like flavor.

For a no-alcohol version, use a quality non-alcoholic white wine or plain white grape juice, and lean a little harder on the fresh ginger and lemon so the drink doesn’t read as flat without the wine’s acidity. A cinnamon stick and a few cranberries dropped into the mug at the end make it feel just as festive.

Perfect Occasions & What to Serve Alongside

This one’s built for cold-weather gatherings — think holiday parties, game nights by the fire, or a quiet night in after a day outside in the cold. It also makes a lovely welcome drink for guests arriving at a winter dinner party, since it’s easy to have warm and ready before anyone shows up.

Pair it with something simple and savory to balance the honey — a cheese board with sharp cheddar and crackers, roasted nuts, or a warm baguette with butter all work well alongside it.

Make-Ahead & Serving Notes

You can combine the wine, honey, lemon juice, and spices in the saucepan up to a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge; just warm it gently before serving. For parties, transfer the warmed mixture to a slow cooker on the “warm” setting so it stays at the right temperature for hours without overcooking. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to two days and gently reheated, though the flavor is best the day it’s made.

Still have a question? Here are a few of the most common ones readers ask before making this hot toddy.

FAQs

Can I make a White Wine Hot Toddy in a slow cooker?

Yes, and it’s a great option for parties. Combine all the ingredients except the garnish in a slow cooker set to low, let it warm for about an hour, then switch to the “warm” setting to keep it ready for guests throughout the evening.

What’s the best white wine for a hot toddy?

A dry, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best, since it balances the sweetness from the honey without adding too much extra sugar. Avoid very sweet or heavily oaked wines, which can make the finished drink taste flat or overly rich once warmed.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can mix the wine, honey, lemon juice, and spices together up to a day in advance and refrigerate it, then simply reheat gently on the stove or in a slow cooker before serving. Add the garnish fresh right before pouring.

Is a White Wine Hot Toddy served hot or warm?

It’s meant to be served hot, right after it comes off the stove, so it’s steaming when it reaches the table. If it cools down before everyone’s ready, a quick reheat on low heat brings it right back.

How do I make a non-alcoholic version?

Swap the white wine for a non-alcoholic white wine or white grape juice, and reduce the honey slightly since those substitutes tend to be sweeter. The fresh ginger, lemon, and warm spices still carry plenty of flavor, so you won’t miss much.

Can I add extra alcohol to make it stronger?

Definitely — a splash of brandy or bourbon stirred in after straining adds warmth and depth without overpowering the wine. Add it to taste, starting with an ounce per mug, since the base already carries a good amount of alcohol from the wine itself.

More cocktails worth mixing:

• White Wine Paloma
• Blackberry Sage Wine Smash
• Pineapple Wine Cooler
• White Wine and Ginger Fizz
• Grapefruit Wine Spritz