How To Make Hot Buttered Rum

16 Comments 5

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe

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

Hot Buttered Rum in clear mug

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.

Save The Recipe

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe right to your inbox! Plus, I’ll send you new recipes every week!

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.

Hot Buttered Rum is a winter favorite.

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 Mix in jar

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 mix with rum

Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

  1. 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!
  2. 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.

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!

Get New Recipessent to your inbox!
We never share your information with third parties and will protect it in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Hot Buttered Rum is a winter favorite.

Hot Buttered Rum

5 from 4 votes
Hot Buttered Rum brings about a full body coziness that feels like you are being wrapped in a thick warm blanket.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

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
  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal · Carbohydrates: 36g · Protein: 0.1g · Fat: 8g · Saturated Fat: 5g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g · Monounsaturated Fat: 2g · Trans Fat: 0.3g · Cholesterol: 20mg · Sodium: 71mg · Potassium: 52mg · Fiber: 0.1g · Sugar: 36g · Vitamin A: 237IU · Vitamin C: 0.01mg · Calcium: 35mg · Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally posted 11/9/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/12/22}

cup of hot buttered rum with mix and rum

Filed under: ,

Share this Article

PinYummly

Related Posts

Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

Reader Interactions

16 Comments Leave a comment or review

    Rate & Comment

    Rating




  1. Jenn says

    Oh my word, I haven't had hot buttered rum since I left Nebraska! Can't wait to make this.. especially since it seems that we are about to have a bit of a cold spell here 🙂

  2. Deborah says

    I never heard of it, but I'm sick with a cold and sore throath, and I'll make sure I give this a go. As it is I've been drinking a toddy of the rum, lemnojuice, dark sugar and hot water – that works too 🙂 Have a nice weekend.

  3. Bonnie says

    Love hot buttered rums, but can't drink the rum anymore. So on a really cold day I will make it up with just some boiling water and drink'er down
    If I made this is would freeze in ice cups trays and then poop them into a plastic ziplock, or container and then it's at the ready all year round. Is great if you have a cold, or a little under the weather.

    • Sharkie2004 says

      I'm going to try that. I'm still nursing my son. And I find that when I drink I get really hot and swollen fingers, etc so wanted an option for no booze in it!

  4. krista storoy says

    I had Hot Buttered Rum many years ago at a holiday party and have been looking for the recipe since! I wasn't even able to find one on an internet search lol. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Defiantly going to make it this year.

  5. Ben K Miller Jr says

    A great recipe, thank you. I’m OCD and have a question about the Mix Recipe. For ground cardamon, are we talking “pods” or “seeds”?

    Mount Gay Rum is an excellent choice. For Traditional “Centuries Old School” HBR, give Pussers Admiralty Rum (Gunpowder Proof) a try.

    My suggestion is based on decades of Service in the USN.

    Cheers.

    Ben K Miller Jr
    LCDR. USN. Retired
    Submarine Warfare Qualified5 stars

    • Mary Younkin says

      You’ll want to use ground cardamom. All of the spices here should be ground powders in order to mix smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture. I’ll look for that rum next time. Thanks, Ben!

  6. Suzanne says

    Absolutely delicious. I tried it with hot apple cider instead of water. Soooo good. A little sweet will reduce sugar next time but definitely a keeper.5 stars