How To Make Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum brings about a full body coziness that feels like you are being wrapped in a thick warm blanket.

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.

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

Cream together the butter, sugar, and spices. Chill in the refrigerator for an hour or two, until almost firm. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a small mug. Add 2-3 ounces of rum and then pour 2-3 ounces boiling water over the top. Adjust the rum and the water to taste. Add cream if desired. Stir to combine. Enjoy!
The mixture will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks or in the freezer for several months. If you are freezing this, you can scoop into individual portions and then freeze the mix to use straight from the freezer.

Hot Buttered Rum mix with rum and hot water

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.

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!

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum brings about a full body coziness that feels like you are being wrapped in a thick warm blanket.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 8 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 208kcal

Ingredients

½ cup butter softened (add a pinch of salt if the butter is unsalted)
2 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground if possible
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
pinch ground cloves about 1/16 teaspoon
good quality dark rum
boiling water
Optional: half and half or heavy cream just a splash for each serving

Instructions

Cream together the butter, sugar, and spices. Chill in the refrigerator for an hour or two, until almost firm. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a small mug. Add 2-3 ounces of rum and then pour 2-3 ounces of boiling water over the top. Adjust the rum and the water to taste. Add cream if desired. Stir to combine. Enjoy!
The mixture will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks or in the freezer for several months. If you are freezing this, you can scoop into individual portions and then freeze the mix to use straight from the freezer.