Honey Bourbon Hot Toddy

A hot toddy is the kind of enticing thing you read about in books when you're a kid, like baked alaska, or Turkish delight - it sounds so amazing that the name sticks with you, even though you have no clue what's in it or how it might taste.

I have heard from friends that grew up in cold places that this is often served after winter sports like ice fishing and skiiing.  I grew up in California, so I never had this until recently, when I had a bottle of bourbon on hand and the wind was whistling outside. It's the perfect drink for a cold night in front of the fireplace, snuggled up to someone special... or a good book! 

Yield:  2 cocktails

Ingredients:
6 tablespoons honey
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup bourbon (I used Maker's Mark)
2 lemon peels
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise cloves 

Directions:
Heat the water on the stove, in a teapot, or in the microwave.  Mix in the honey until it dissolves.  Add the bourbon and divide between two rocks glasses.

Add a strip of prepared lemon peel and the star anise to each cocktail.  Stir the drinks with the cinnamon sticks, drop in, and serve.  Cheers!