10 Cold Remedy Cocktails
When it comes to adding a shot of alcohol to your cold or flu remedy, it’s hard not to wish those boozy concoctions are doing some good for your health. As it turns out, they are.
Well, kinda.
Drinks like hot toddies, which traditionally contain whiskey, lemon and honey, can actually give cold and flu patients relief from their symptoms, said Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
It just can’t prevent or cure a cold or flu virus.
“It would not have an effect on the virus itself, but its effect on the body can possibly give you some modest symptom relief,” Schaffner said. “The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection.”
Warm moisture from a steaming mug of any beverage can offer symptom relief. That’s part of why chicken soup is thought to work.
Check out the list of recipe’s to get you started:
1. Bran’s Dram
“If rum won’t give you that warming glow of wellness, the hot tea will.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 bag berry herbal tea
- 1½ oz. white rum
- ¼ oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 lemon twist
-
Steep tea bag in a mug with 6 oz. hot water, 2–3 minutes; discard tea bag and stir in rum, lemon juice, and honey. Garnish with lemon twist.

