Wind down on a blustery and snowy evening with a smooth and delicious Hot Buttered Rum.
Even the name of tonight’s drink, the Hot Buttered Rum, makes one feel all warm and cozy. I live in California, but always fly back to the East Coast to visit my family for the holidays during the winter months. It’s a bit of a shock getting on a plane in warm weather and disembarking in cold, frigid conditions. Once at home with my folks though, I’m settled by the fire, covered in blankets and sipping on something warm, and preferably potent.
The Hot Buttered Rum has been around since Colonial times, and was very popular in New England. Many families and households often had their own version of the drink, customizing the recipe to suit their own individual tastes. During the 1940s, the growing Tiki culture in Southern California discovered the joys of the rum-based beverage, and co-opted it into the scene. You can still find Hot Buttered Rum being sold in many Tiki establishments, often in a skull mug and sometimes even lit on fire.
This spiked and smooth tipple has been such a popular concoction over the years that every January 17th we celebrate National Hot Buttered Rum Day. Mark those calendars!
What Is Hot Butter?
Hot butter is not a bunch of Kerrygold melted over toast, although technically it could be called that. But for the purposes of tonight’s drink, when we say “hot butter”, we mean a mixture of butter, sugar and spices. The end result, after you’ve prepared it following our recipe, is closer to a batter more so than butter. When mixed with the rum and some boiling water, the result is a thick, creamy and rich-tasting treat that’ll take the chill off of even the frostiest of snowmen.
What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Hot Buttered Rum?
We recommend using a dark, spiced rum in this cocktail. Something like a potent and flavorful Kraken rum is both great as a sipping spirit, and works beautifully in mixed beverages. I’m also a big fan of Jamaican rums, like Appleton Estate or the overproof Navy rum bottled by Smith & Cross. If you have a preference, by all means, that’s what you should use. The best of anything is often your personal favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground allspice
- 1 dash of vanilla extract
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 cup boiling water
- A light sprinkle of extra ground nutmeg for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture into a heat-safe mug. Add 2 ounces of dark rum and pour in 1 cup of boiling water.
- Stir well until the butter mixture is completely incorporated and garnish with a light sprinkle of extra ground nutmeg if desired.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
You’ll want a heat-resistant glass mug, like an Irish Coffee mug with a comfy handle to serve and drink your Hot Buttered Rum from. Garnish with a little sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
CAN YOU SERVE THIS DRINK COLD?
The Hot Buttered Rum is a beverage that is best when served hot, especially since the butter batter won’t mix well with cold water.
Similar Drinks To The Hot Buttered Rum
Is it still cold outside in your neighborhood? Are the summer months still way too far away, and the distance is just too much? Is the snow still piling up, blowing around the house with a cold wind? You might need something a little hot and a little strong to keep yourself comfy as you wait for spring and summer to come back for their yearly visits.
- Boozy Hot Chocolate – Like the name suggests, this warm treat has something extra in it.
- Hot Shot – This layered and hot shooter will help keep you cozy on a cold night.
- Hot Toddy – Feeling a little sniffly and under the weather? Let this recipe help soothe your aches and pains.
- Glögg – This spiced and hot Scandinavian cocktail is a wintery delight.
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