Hot Whiskey
Ireland's traditional winter warmer and cold remedy featuring whiskey, clove-studded lemon, brown sugar, and boiling water - served in every Irish pub during cold months.
- 1½ ozirish whiskey(Powers or Paddy traditional)
- 4 ozboiling water
- 1 teaspoonbrown sugar(or honey)
- 1 wheellemon slice(studded with 4-5 whole cloves)
- 5 wholewhole cloves(pressed into lemon)
- 1Warm an Irish coffee glass by filling with hot water, then discard.
- 2Place a metal spoon in the glass (helps prevent cracking from heat).
- 3Add brown sugar and whiskey to the glass.
- 4Stud a lemon slice with 4-5 whole cloves, pressing them into the flesh.
- 5Add the clove-studded lemon to the glass.
- 6Pour boiling water over and stir to dissolve sugar.
- 7Leave the spoon in and serve immediately while hot.
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The Hot Whiskey is Ireland's answer to the common cold. Known as the "Irish flu shot," this warming drink is served in virtually every pub across Ireland from October through March. The traditional preparation is specific: whole cloves must be studded into the lemon slice (not floating loose), brown sugar provides deeper flavor than white, and the drink is served in a handled glass with a metal spoon left inside. Many Irish people swear by its medicinal properties - the whiskey opens airways, honey soothes throats, lemon provides vitamin C, and cloves have antiseptic properties.
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