Lemony Hot Toddy

Neighborhood Fruit's Note:

When it's cold outside, and you need something warm

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 3 sticks cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 whole nutmegs or 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 10 lemons
• ½ cup turbinado sugar (more to taste) or ½ cup honey (more to taste)
• 2 quarts water

Directions:

1. Put the water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and sugar into a saucepan to boil.
2. Cut the skin away from the pith (the bitter white part) from two lemons (more if they're small). Cut skin into strips and add it to saucepan.
3. When the pot comes to a boil, turn it down to a simmer, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes.
4. Prepare the serving cups. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon (or more to taste) into each coffee mug that you're serving. If they want an "adult" toddy, put a shot of rum or bourbon into each cup too! Add a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon.
5. When the toddy base is good and hot, pour it into the cups and serve!