toddy

American  

[tod-ee] / ˈtɒd i /

noun

plural

toddies

1. a drink made of alcoholic liquor and hot water, sweetened and sometimes spiced with cloves.

2. the drawn sap, especially when fermented, of any of several toddy palms, used as a drink.

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toddy British  

/ ˈtɒdɪ /

noun

1. a drink made from spirits, esp whisky, with hot water, sugar, and usually lemon juice

2. 1. the sap of various palm trees ( toddy or wine palms ), used as a beverage

   2. the liquor prepared from this sap

3. (in Malaysia) a milky-white sour alcoholic drink made from fermented coconut milk, drunk chiefly by Indians

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Etymology

Origin of toddy

First recorded in 1600–10, toddy is from the Hindi word tāḍi

Example Sentences

Once in Kerala, the film whizzes through a checklist of things a layperson might associate with the tourist-favourite state - its famous backwaters, the ubiquitous coconut trees, toddy, elephants, and Onam, its most popular festival.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2025

Of course, the toddy has been evolving for a long time since, with shifts to honey as a sweetener, and lemon added for flavor and to enhance the drink’s purported medicinal properties.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023

But admittedly, hot honey isn't all savory games; one of Kurtz's favorite ways to enjoy it is drizzled over vanilla ice cream, in a hot toddy during the wintertime, or a hot honey turmeric latte.

From Salon • May 7, 2022

“Winter Wonderland,” with snowy scenes on each piece, includes truffles seasoned with hot toddy flavors, peppermint mocha and Swiss fondue.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2021

“Why don’t you get a nice room right here? You get into bed and I’ll send a toddy up to you, and in the morning you’ll be fine.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• booze
• drink
• ethanol
• liquor
• methanol
• smoke