The hot toddy, a warm mixture traditionally containing bourbon or whiskey, honey, lemon, and hot water, has long been embraced as a folk remedy for the common cold. This comforting drink raises a persistent question about whether alcohol, particularly bourbon, possesses any actual medicinal properties for viral illnesses. Many people seek relief from congestion and body aches using this traditional concoction. To understand its effectiveness, it is necessary to separate the soothing power of the warm ingredients from the pharmacological effects of the alcohol itself.
Addressing the Myth: Bourbon and Viral Illness
Bourbon contains ethanol, but it cannot kill the common cold virus, which is typically a rhinovirus. While alcohol acts as a topical disinfectant on surfaces, consuming it does not eliminate the virus inside the body. The notion that liquor can “burn out” an infection is a myth not supported by scientific evidence.
Alcohol consumption is generally not recommended when fighting an infection. Alcohol has an immunosuppressive effect, hindering the body’s ability to produce white blood cells to combat the virus. By weakening the immune system, drinking bourbon could prolong the cold or increase the risk of secondary infections.
Physiological Effects of Alcohol on Cold Symptoms
Despite not being a cure, the alcohol in bourbon can create a temporary feeling of relief from cold symptoms. Ethanol acts as a vasodilator, causing blood vessels to widen, which leads to a sensation of warmth and may temporarily relieve nasal congestion. This widening of blood vessels can also help soothe minor body aches by improving blood flow.
Bourbon contains mild sedative properties, which can help a person feel drowsy and aid in falling asleep, masking the discomfort of symptoms like a sore throat or cough. This mild analgesic effect provides a brief respite from the general malaise associated with a cold. However, alcohol is a diuretic, promoting fluid loss and exacerbating dehydration. Staying well-hydrated is required to thin mucus and aid recovery, a process that alcohol actively impedes.
Safety and Alternatives: When to Avoid Alcohol
The most serious concern with drinking bourbon while sick involves potential interactions with common over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Mixing alcohol with drugs containing acetaminophen, a common fever reducer and pain reliever, can significantly increase the risk of liver damage or failure. This risk occurs because both substances are primarily processed by the liver, which can become overwhelmed.
Many cold medicines include antihistamines or cough suppressants, which cause drowsiness. When combined with alcohol, the sedative effects of these drugs are dangerously magnified, leading to dizziness, confusion, or impaired motor function. It is strongly advised to avoid all alcohol when taking multi-symptom cold formulations.
Safer alternatives replicate the soothing experience of the hot toddy by focusing on the non-alcoholic components. The steam from the hot liquid, whether water or herbal tea, helps loosen mucus and provide temporary relief from nasal congestion. Honey is effective for coating and soothing a sore throat, and lemon provides Vitamin C. Substituting bourbon with hot herbal tea, broth, or warm water with honey and lemon is the safest and most effective strategy for supporting recovery.