Day two home from work with a killer cold, and my only consolation is novelist Kate Christensen’s hot toddy. Since she passed it along last fall, the drink has eclipsed spicy tomato soup as the Maud household’s preferred remedy. It proves — as we always knew deep in our hearts — that Bourbon cures everything.
Add boiling water to (in the biggest cup in the house; this is no time to fuck around with anything dainty) the juice of 1 lemon, a big wad of honey, a slug of good whiskey [Ed. Note: I’ve been using Maker’s Mark], and as much cayenne pepper as you can tolerate. If it’s morning, add a tea bag.
For variety, Kate’s second option: Nuke a cup of College Inn chicken broth till it’s good and hot. Squeeze a wedge of lemon over it and add a dash of cayenne. Sip. Toss back a shot of good whiskey (or Bourbon) on the side.
It should be noted that my dearest Lizzie Skurnick heartily disapproves of any cold remedy involving alcohol and mandates a lemon and onion brew instead. Stay well, everyone, and have a good weekend.