Down here in the south, we are currently hunkered down and riding out Winter Storm Leon.

As a transient from the north, I find watching southerners run around town stocking up on jugs of water highly amusing. The weatherman is predicting five to eight inches of total snowfall. I suppose the frozen water falling from the sky poses a threat to our water supply.

Our emergency preparations include the following:

1 bottle Bulliet bourbon
1 bottle Tito’s handmade vodka
1 bundle of firelogs
6 lemons
6 limes

So as this wintry mix is beating against our windows, the fire is blazing. There is no better way to celebrate our over-preparedness then to enjoy a Hot Toddy by the fire. Without further adieu, here is one from our recipe book…

Hot Toddy

1 1/2 oz. whiskey
1 cinnamon stick
1 pod of star anise
2 bar spoons honey
1 bar spoon ginger syrup
1 slice lemon
Hot water

1 bar spoon = 1 teaspoon

In a standard coffee mug, add the whiskey, cinnamon, star anise, ginger syrup, and honey. Fill the mug with hot water and let steep for five minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon to finish. Stir and enjoy.

To everyone bearing through the elements, we wish you a warm night.

To the southerners who are experiencing a rare snow day tommorow whilst drinking your jugs of water, I’ll leave you with one piece of advice:

Don’t eat the yellow snow!