h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: A Hot Toddy Cold Remedy - A815834
Author: Cloviscat - U146988

I dragged myself up from my bed of pain to see what advice the guide had for cold cures, and was horrified to see that while the edited entry on the subject mentions hot toddies, it doesn't actually include a recipe. So here is a wee gem of an entry to help when you're feeling

I prefer Rum in place of the Whisky. Navy Rum, the dark stuff, not that white stuff that masquerades as rum. It’s the sugar that does it, in which case you can probably dispense with the honey. Brandy is almost as good. Sadly, my instincts wont let me drink whisky any other way but neat.

A good hot toddy can be useful in two ways. It can either cure the cold - unlikely. Or it will put you into a state where it doesn’t matter any more.



Stuart

3.5 tablespoons of boiling water? Who the heck is going to measure boiling water in a tablespoon?? Oh, I just figured it out. Measure the water, then boil it. *hangs head* What about phrasing it: "50ml/2 fl oz./3.5 tablespoons water (boiling)" or something like that, to stop people like me from burning themselves whilst pouring boiling water into tablespoon measures? I'm not sure if that is any better phrasing, actually... Now that I "get it", I "get it"....

Under the first paragraph of "Method", you've used a period instead of a comma.

Nice entry!

Thank you for that guys!

Stuart - I've added rum as an option, and also brandy, which would be my choice if I had no cheap whisky in the house, and I couldn't bear to adulterate the Highland Park . As a result, I've also changed 'whisky' to 'alcohol' throughout...

The Shee - I have to confess that I have no problem measuring boiling water with a teasopoon, even when I'm wobbly with a cold! I suppose you could measure the water cold, and then boil it - you'd have to use the microwave, I suppose, to boil such a small amount wuithout losing too much. Alternatively, you could measure the whisky into a straight sided tumbler and just top up 'the same amount again' of water, measuring by eye - which is what we tend to do!

Should I leave the measure for boiling water as is, or perhaops make it read 'the same amount of boiling water'? Hmm?

Checked the first para as you suggested, but maybe my sight's going - please tell me where this rogue full stop is and I will eradicate it!

Thanks again for your useful comments!

Hi Cloiviscat,

I like the two links you have added to Pusser’s Rum and Overproof Rum. Excellent!

This definitely has to go into the Edited Guide.



Stuart

You mean you guys actually *measure* stuff when following recipes?



I think the simplest explanation is that it's about half booze, half boiling water, with just enough space for a good splodge of honey to be dissolved in there.

It's pretty clear the way it is though. Just sticking my teaspoon in and giving it a stir.

Good entry, must be scouted.

not a suggestion so much as thinking 'out loud' - how international is the term 'hot toddy'? It might be intersting/fun to mention some other names for the same basic panacea in different regions/countries...

in France, this is known as a 'grog', for instance. Not sure what the connection with uk 'Grogham' grog, but Shirely there must be one...

cya
spiff

Crikey - lumbered! You're quite right, Spiff, we'd never actually *measured* the ingredients before we made a test toddy to write this. I think measurements are always handy when you do a recipe for the first time - they give you a ballpark, even if you don't actually use them - and from there you can do your own thing...

I've never heard this called anything else, but if any more alternative names come up dring PR, I'll put them in. I'll also try and find the origins of the name - thanks!

Glad you like the links, Stuart!

I've no difficulty with the measures in this and I think the're OK.

You should perhaps include an extra bit to the rider;

>There are no grand medical claims attached to this recipe. Nobody says that it will cure your cold, but it may well make you feel a little better.

to the effect that alcohol depletes your immmunity system, although it does actually give you the impression of feeling cosseted, which in itself can be beneficial, particularly if the remedy is being administered to you by a loving partner/parent/sibling/offspring/friend.

Righty-ho...

- proviso about the affect of alcohol added
- history of the word toddy inserted

How's that?

The rogue stop:
>>A hot toddy should be sipped very slowly. allowing it to soothe your sore throat ... <<
It's easier to see now in roman font; part of the problem might be that the words "very slowly" are in italics.


While cooking last night with a measuring cup marked with all kinds of units, I noticed that 2 fluid ounces is equivalent to a 1/4 cup. Have you considered this instead of or in addition to 3.5 tablespoons? I probably sound like I'm harping on this, don't I? *grin*

looks scoutable to me.

cya
spiff

Thanks Spiff!

Shee - I hope three measures will cover us, unless someone feels I should insert cups and remove one of the other measures. I confess that I've followed the British standard found in recipes...

Ah, British. *grin* We don't do that here... Up to about 1, 1.5 tablespoons, and then generally to cups, and no other measurements.... Just suggestions!

Looks good

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