Hot Buttered Rum
I am a seasonal beverage connoisseur. Certain flavors, combinations, and temperatures just fit certain seasons for me. Fall and cool weather bring about a hankering for rich, body-warming drinks. The kind of drink you hold in two hands and sip while warming up after being outside. Or perhaps you take it along (responsibly of course) in a thermos on a cool weather adventure.
Hot buttered rum is a classic mixed drink containing brown sugar, butter, various spices, hot water, and rum. A few years ago, a friend showed me how to make Hot Buttered Rum. The recipe she shared with me, was an old Emeril recipe and it’s solid. I had never tasted anything quite like it at the time and I loved it. Rich, buttery, warm, and loaded to the brim with holiday spices, makes it a perfect drink for special occasions. Serve this at a holiday party and your friends will talk about it and remember this long after the mugs are emptied. Regular buttered rum is a bit bland so adding in the spices really creates a delicious, soothing flavor. You can also serve it with whiskey if you prefer whiskey over rum. Recently someone suggested using warm apple cider instead of hot water to make a Hot Buttered Run Cider. I am not going to lie that sounds amazing and the next time I mix these up and I going to try it! If you get to it first be sure and tell me how it is. A batch of the ingredients does make quite a bit. It will keep for about two weeks in your refrigerator. I have also placed it in icecube trays and frozen it for individual servings. If you don’t want to store it turn it into these tasty cookies.
What is Hot Buttered Rum?
Simply put Hot Buttered Run is the butter-rich cousin of a Rum Hot Toddy. The Hot Toddy basically refers to an alcoholic beverage with made with hot water, alcohol, sugar, and spices.
Hot Buttered Rum is a drink with a long history but making it with a batter like this recipe really came about in the 1940s when it was a popular Tiki drink and the batter made for a smooth creamy, rich drink.
Most recipes have the same butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove combination. The pinch of cardamom and dark rum make this one just a bit different.
According to some “experts” drinks like Hot Buttered Rum and Hot Toddy’s are good for a sore throat or clearing that winter cold. I really don’t know if there is any scientific proof to this but, I am not one to argue with that logic.
Hot Buttered Rum Ingredients
butter light brown sugar cinnamon nutmeg ground cardamom ground cloves dark rum boiling water Optional: half and half or heavy cream
Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
Cozy Drinks
You already know I am a seasonal drink person. Non-alcoholic drinks included. I love changing it up from my coffee to tea as well as drinks my husband and friends enjoy. Hot tea is a perfect match for steamed milk in the very popular London Fog drink. I’ve enjoyed my tea with a splash of milk for as long as I can remember and this frothy spin takes a simple cup of tea to the next level. Cafe con Leche is a creamy hot coffee drink typically made with espresso and milk. While I enjoy mine lightly sweetened, many people prefer it unsweetened. If I am looking for a hot drink but not so rich the Hot Toddy is my go-to. Whiskey, lemon, and honey are meant for chilly evening sipping. Have you heard of Milk Punch? This old-school cocktail is made with bourbon, whisky, or brandy. It is a very lightly sweetened drink that starts with milk and half-and-half, it’s flavored with hints of vanilla and nutmeg. While it is an iced drink, not a warm one not much can beat a simple Old Fashioned made just how my husband likes. It will certainly give your insides a cozy feeling! {originally posted 11/9/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/12/22}
