Warm up your evenings with a classic Hot Irish Whiskey. This comforting drink combines the smoothness of Irish whiskey with the zesty kick of lemon and the aromatic touch of cloves. Perfect for cold nights or a cozy gathering with friends, this recipe is simple yet delightful.
If you don't usually keep Irish whiskey or whole cloves at home, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Irish whiskey can be found in the liquor section, while whole cloves are typically located in the spice aisle. Make sure to pick up some brown sugar if you don't have any on hand.

Ingredients For Hot Irish Whiskey Recipe
Irish whiskey: A smooth and rich whiskey that forms the base of this drink.
Lemon: Adds a zesty and refreshing flavor.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the drink and adds a hint of molasses.
Hot water: Helps to dissolve the sugar and blend the flavors.
Whole cloves: Infuse the drink with a warm, aromatic spice.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your hot Irish whiskey, consider gently warming the whiskey before adding it to the mug. This can be done by placing the whiskey in a heatproof container and setting it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. This step ensures that the whiskey blends more seamlessly with the hot water, creating a smoother and more cohesive drink.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
irish whiskey - Substitute with bourbon: Bourbon has a similar flavor profile with a rich, smooth taste that complements the other ingredients well.
irish whiskey - Substitute with scotch: Scotch offers a smoky, peaty flavor that can add a unique twist to the drink.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, though slightly more tart.
lemon - Substitute with orange: Orange adds a sweeter, more aromatic citrus note that pairs well with the spices.
brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slightly floral note that complements the whiskey.
brown sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the drink's depth.
hot water - Substitute with hot apple cider: Hot apple cider adds a fruity, spiced flavor that complements the whiskey and spices.
hot water - Substitute with hot tea: Hot tea, especially black or spiced tea, adds a robust flavor that pairs well with the whiskey.
whole cloves - Substitute with ground cloves: Ground cloves provide the same warm, spicy flavor, though use sparingly as they are more potent.
whole cloves - Substitute with cinnamon stick: A cinnamon stick adds a warm, sweet spice that complements the other ingredients well.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the hot Irish whiskey to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and maintains the integrity of the drink.
- Transfer the cooled beverage into an airtight container. Glass jars or bottles with tight-fitting lids work best to preserve the flavors.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The hot Irish whiskey can be kept for up to 3 days. Beyond this period, the flavors may start to degrade.
- When ready to enjoy, reheat the hot Irish whiskey gently on the stove over low heat. Avoid boiling, as this can alter the taste and evaporate the alcohol.
- If you prefer to freeze the hot Irish whiskey, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The hot Irish whiskey can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- To thaw, transfer the container to the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight. Reheat gently on the stove before serving.
- For an added touch, prepare fresh lemon slices and whole cloves to garnish the reheated drink, ensuring it tastes as delightful as when first made.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the leftover hot Irish whiskey into a small saucepan.
- Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming.
- Avoid bringing it to a boil, as this can cause the whiskey to lose its flavor and potency.
- Alternatively, transfer the hot Irish whiskey to a microwave-safe mug.
- Microwave on medium power in 15-20 second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired temperature.
- If the lemon slice has become too soft or the cloves have lost their aroma, replace them with fresh ones before reheating.
- For an added touch, you can reheat the hot water separately and combine it with the whiskey mixture just before serving to maintain a fresh taste.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mug: A sturdy container to hold and mix the hot Irish whiskey.
Teaspoon: Used to measure and add the brown sugar.
Shot glass: For accurately measuring the Irish whiskey.
Kettle: To boil the water needed for the recipe.
Spoon: For stirring the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
Knife: To slice the lemon.
Cutting board: A surface to safely slice the lemon.
Cloves: To stud the lemon slice, adding flavor and aroma.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-stud the lemon: Stud the lemon slice with cloves in advance and store it in the fridge.
Use hot water from a kettle: Boil water in a kettle instead of waiting for it to heat on the stove.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the whiskey and brown sugar ahead of time to streamline the process.
Batch preparation: Make multiple servings at once by scaling up the ingredients and using a larger container.
Use a thermos: Keep the hot water in a thermos to maintain its temperature for multiple servings.

Hot Irish Whiskey Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 shot Irish whiskey
- 1 slice Lemon
- 2 teaspoon Brown sugar
- 1 cup Hot water
- 4 whole Cloves
Instructions
- 1. Stud the lemon slice with cloves.
- 2. Add the whiskey, brown sugar, and hot water to a mug. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- 3. Add the clove-studded lemon slice to the mug. Stir and enjoy.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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