What is hot buttered rum?
Hot buttered rum is a classic cocktail. This simple drink is a mix of rum, butter, spices, a sweetener, and hot water. From there, the recipe is customizable. Our recipe uses dark rum and brown sugar to complement the warm spice flavors, but feel free to switch things up. Try substituting your favorite sweetener, like honey or agave, or other baking spices like nutmeg or allspice.
How to serve hot buttered rum
Hot buttered rum is served warm, making it a winter favorite. We like to serve ours in a clear mug to show off the color, but you can choose any vessel with a handle. If you like, you can garnish with whole spices like star anise or a cinnamon stick.
Hot buttered rum recipe
For the compound spiced butter
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
For the cocktail
- 1 heaping Tablespoon spiced butter
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 6 ounces very hot water
1. Make the compound butter.
Cream together the butter, sugar, and spices in the bowl of a stand mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can use an electric mixer or a spatula and a bowl. If you’re working by hand, prepare for a workout. You want to create a smooth mixture with evenly dispersed spices.
2. Make the cocktail.
Assemble your remaining ingredients, the compound butter, a spoon, and a mug. Pour two ounces of rum into the mug. Use the spoon to scoop up one heaping tablespoon of the compound butter and then place the spoon, butter and all, in the mug. Pour the hot water into the mug so that it runs over the butter. Stir with the spoon until the butter has completely melted and incorporated. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you wish. Serve hot.
Find more festive cocktail ideas here.
