To Cure What Ails You

It’s July in Australia which means Flu Season. I mean, it probably more accurately means Cold Season but everyone loves to put a bit of fat on a Cold and round it up to Flu. And that’s fine. It’s an easy upgrade to make. When you’re sick, when you’re feeling under the weather, it’s your right to milk it a little bit, but there’s something about a Cold that evokes this behaviour more than other illnesses. Maybe it’s because the accepted remedies to beat the common cold are way more enjoyable than for most other ailments. Wrapping yourself in a blanket and consuming vast amounts of Netflix and chicken soup is a way nicer recovery than Imodium and baby wipes.  But it doesn’t have to stop at vapour rubs and cough drops. There’s a whole world of cocktails out there that, if they haven’t been specifically designed to fight off the symptoms of a cold, they’re at least internationally recognised as tools to aid your recuperation.

While the science might be a little bit shaky regarding the use of alcohol to elevate one’s health, the testimonial evidence of the thousands of users that swear by their efficacy is where I’d sooner focus my attention.

Though both drinks occupy some of the same spaces, their only main parallels, in most versions, are Brandy and Lemon juice. One is more dainty and elegant, the other robust and hearty. One has a specific recipe and origin, the other is ambiguous, with recipes as varied as the people who make them. The most immediately obvious difference is that the Hot Toddy, as its name suggests, is served hot, while the Sidecar is served straight-up and chilled.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is simple but it’s brilliant! It has just three ingredients - four if you include the ‘optional’ sugar rim, which you should definitely include - and not a single thing in it is wasted. If you take out one ingredient, the drink falls over - that’s a perfect cocktail.

There are arguments for recipes featuring equal parts Brandy (usually Cognac), Cointreau and Lemon Juice but I favour the two-parts Brandy to one parts Lemon Juice and Cointreau approach, with a very ‘un-optional’ sugar rim.

Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy on the other hand is more malleable; it has its base spirit; which doesn’t even have to be brandy - they’re commonly made on any/all brown spirits, but if we’re making this drink in pursuit of wellness, Brandy is peerless in its flimsily supposed medicinal benefits - along with lemon juice, a sweetener (frequently Honey), hot water and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

The effect of either of these cocktails on flu-ridden bodies is remarkable. The lemon juice provides vitamin c, the water hydrates you, the honey or triple sec soothes the throat and quells a cough and the alcohol serves as alcohol and makes you feel awesome.

So the next time you find yourself bitten by the Flu Bat, before you reach for the Vegemite Toast and Black tea, try medicating yourself with a cocktail and let having a great time be the best medicine.

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