Last week was a tough one. Tuesday morning started like any other morning. I woke up early, read the news, and started working at 8am. Half an hour later, as I was typing an e-mail, I realized a tingling feeling on my left hand. I shrugged it off and thought that it would go away. It didn’t. Instead, it spread to the whole left side of my body. I went out to get some fresh air, but it did not work. Not only I wasn’t feeling better, but also I was feeling like my tongue was going numb as well. I tried to swallow but I couldn’t.
To make matters worse, Dwight had just left home to go for a run without his phone. In panic, I called my husband’s best friend. Luckily, he answered the phone. He quickly came by, picked me up, and took me to the ER. After 6 hours of blood tests, cat scans, and x-rays later, my doctor said that I had a pinched nerve in my neck and that was the cause of the numbness.
Prior to that day, I was photographing almost every day. My back was hurting a lot, but instead of resting, I was ignoring it. As a result, my body pushed the breaks on my behalf and thought me a very important lesson. Since then I have also gotten a little bit of a cold and feeling like my lungs are congested. I feel like my body is begging me for some rest. Thankfully, instead of putting me on any medication my doctor suggested that I stay in bed and rest as much as I can. So I am taking it easy, resting a lot more, and nourishing my body with heartwarming soups and drinks. This honey-sweetened blueberry hot toddy is one of them.
After we came back from the hospital, my husband decided to take the matters into his own hand and went to the supermarket to get me some healthy food. A few hours later, he came back with bags full of fresh produce. In addition to winter vegetables, he also bought 5 pints of blueberries, as he knows how much I love them. They are my absolute favorite food to snack on and since they are available year-round I always keep some in my fridge. In the next few days, I snacked on some and on Friday night, after it got very cold, I decided to use the rest to make this homemade blueberry hot toddy.
About this Honey-Sweetened Blueberry Hot Toddy
Hot toddy is one of the easiest drinks you can make. Basically, you pour some boiled water in a mug, add some freshly squeezed lemon juice, a shot of bourbon (or brandy) and sweeten with sugar. However, for my recipe, I wanted to take it up a notch.
First, I used the rest of the blueberries to make a honey-sweetened simple syrup as the base of my hot toddy. I used blueberries intentionally as they are full of antioxidants and vitamins and they help reverse damage done by toxins. Exactly what I needed…
Second, I strained the simple syrup and divided it in between 2 mugs. To finish it up, I added some boiling water, a shot of bourbon and a generous squeeze of lemon juice in each cup. It ended up being a healer. I swear I could literally feel that I was getting better with every sip.
So next time you are feeling under the weather or simply want to warm the hearts of your guests, reach out for this blueberry hot toddy recipe. With its gorgeous and festive maroon color, I think it is the perfect drink to serve during the holidays.
OTHER BLUEBERRY RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
- Gluten-Free Healthy Blueberry Muffins
- Blueberry Feta Spinach Salad
- Blueberry Sweetened Spelt Scone Recipe
- Vegan Blueberry Peach Tart
- Blueberry Lemon Tartlets
Honey Sweetened Blueberry Hot Toddy
Ingredients
To make the Blueberry Honey Cinnamon Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed - plus as garnish
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed - plus slices as garnish
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
To make the Hot Toddy:
- 8 oz. whiskey or brandy
- 8 oz. Blueberry-Honey syrup
- 8 oz. boiling hot water
Instructions
- Place honey, blueberries, lemon juice and ground cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Using the back of a fork, mash the blueberries. Turn the heat off and let it cool for 10-12 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
- Divide the Blueberry-Honey syrup amongst 4 glass tea cups (or large coffee mugs).
- Top each cup off with 2 oz of whiskey and 2 oz. of boiling water.
- Garnish each cup with a slice of lemon and blueberries.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I will have to try that. I need a cure for my little finger that hurts and likes to stay curled up. I keep seeing references to your blog and finally had time to look at it, The picture are beautiful and the almond recipes are easy to follow. I never learned to bake because of the flour and sugar no=nos. Thanks for doing this.
Rosalind
Awww so happy to hear that you enjoy my content Rosalind. Thanks for coming by.
Cheers!
Scary situation! At first when you were describing your symptoms I thought stroke. So glad it isn’t that! A pinched nerve can lead to many unpleasant things. I have lived for 37 years with pinched nerves in my neck due to an accident. I have found that the only thing that really helps besides muscle relaxers is the chiropractor.
If you have never gone to a chiropractor ask these questions first. Do they take x-rays first.. if not find another.
The second question is… Do they use an activator? An activator is much easier on your body than a manual adjustment.
I’ll be praying for your complete recovery.
The toddy looks and sounds just what I need for my cold. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Charlie,
Thank you so much for your kind and sweet note. Luckily, that scary day was a year ago. Thankfully, it never happened again. Those days were pretty stressful and I was ignoring the systems that my body was trying to tell me. After that experience I learned to not ignore them ever again.
Still, I appreciate your kindness and all your advise.
Thank you!
Oh my gosh! What a scary feeling! I’m glad you’re going to be okay and that you’re taking it easy – definitely need to listen to your body. I wish you a speedy recovery. This first photo with the chunky sweater and the hot toddy is taking my breath away!
Thank you so much Sarah. It sure was a wake up call. But I am feeling much better now.
I love that photo too. Funny thing, my husband was behind the camera for that one :))
I’m so glad it was just a pinched nerve and nothing worse. But it’s a good reminder to take care of yourself…us bloggers can forget that! This hot toddy seems like the perfect way to cozy up, relax, and rejuvenate. Lots of well wishes and hugs sent your way! Xo
So true. I feel like with all the busy-ness of the holidays I forgot to listen to my own body. Feeling much better now.
Thank you my friend. <3
What a scary sensation numbness can be! I am glad to hear you are on the mend. Rest is a powerful thing. I am a huge fan of hot toddies and this blueberry number is next on my list! xoxo
Yes, getting a little bit of rest worked like a charm. I am taking it easy this week.
Thank you for your lovely words my dear friend.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays. <3
It says Blueberry Maple Cinnamon syrup, but in the ingredients cinnamon & maple are not listed.. can you help with that?
Hi Barbara,
I am sorry for my error. It should have said, Blueberry Honey Cinnamon Syrup. The recipe is now corrected.
Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.
Beautiful. Such pretty light. I’m so happy you are doing better now 🙂
Thank you my friend. I hope all is well with you <3
Oh no! Hope you are feeling better! Gosh – my back always begins to hurt after a day of shooting and your post reminded me that I should really be more forgiving of what my body is telling me. BUT, on a happier note – this hot toddy looks like THE BEST!
Thank you Shelly. 🙂
Yes, please learn from my experience. As photographers/bloggers we hustle a lot and forget about ourselves. It is just as important to listen to our bodies and take care of its needs.
woahhhh toddy love! that color—so so so pretty and festive. swoon.
Aww thank you my friend. <3
this is so, so beautiful. i love that vibrant purple/maroon color!
Thank you so much Michelle!
Hot toddy’s are the best and I love those deep rich colors 🙂
Thank you Gerry!