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. 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
- 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.
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!
Hot Buttered Rum
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.
Nutrition
{originally posted 11/9/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/12/22}
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 🙂
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.
Athena @ Lifes Abundant Adventures says
This is SOOO going on my Christmas recipe plan! 🙂
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
I've always wanted to try this. So cool you can freeze it in individual portions – bonus!
Sue/the view from great island says
Make mine a double!
CharlesR says
This is a drink for when I'm getting a cold!
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
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.
Barb Patton Bockoras says
Oh yeah….instead of hot water use hot coffee! DELICIOUS!!!!
Anonymous says
You can use rum flavoring it works just as good for flavor without the effect of the alcohol if you can't have it
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!
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.
Kriss Glass says
I have made this several times and I love it. Also my guests love this too.
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 Qualified
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!