Hot Buttered Rum

This hot buttered rum recipe is a cozy, spiced winter cocktail made with rich butter batter, warm spices and spiced rum. If you’re looking for an easy hot buttered rum that’s perfect for holidays or chilly evenings, this classic recipe delivers comfort in every sip.

What is Hot Buttered Rum?

This cocktail originated in the early settlement of America, colonial times. Which means it’s been around for a long time for people to enjoy! It is said that early Americans believed that rum was nutritious and had body strengthening properties.

Rum originated in the New World and has become a favorite even in the 21st century. It is created when molasses is fermented and distilled. DELICIOUS! Spiced rum has additional spices.

I would describe Hot Buttered Rum as being creamy and comforting with a toasty caramel flavor. It is literally a seasoned butter mixed with spiced rum and hot water.

In fact, if you’ve ever been to Universal Studios in Orlando, the flavor is quite similar to Harry Potter’s “butterbeer!” Without the spiced rum for kiddos, of course.

Gather This

I’d be willing to bet you have most if not all of the ingredients needed to make hot buttered rum. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter – I always opt for unsalted butter so I can control the salt content. A good quality butter is worth using for this warm drink. Make sure it is room temperature.
• Spiced rum – I like to use Captain Morgan, but you can use any type of rum that you prefer.

How to Make Hot Buttered Rum (Step-by-Step)

Making your new cold-weather sipper couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Make hot buttered rum batter. In a medium bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla extract and salt until well combined.
2. Add to mug. Add a heaping tablespoon of the butter mixture to your mug.
3. Pour rum and water. Add rum and boiling water, stir until butter mixture dissolves and well combined
4. Serve. Serve hot with cinnamon stick, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Variations

There are a few changes you can make to really make this hot buttered rum your own. Here are a few ideas.

• Change up the alcohol – You can also make Hot Buttered Whiskey. Use the same recipe, just substitute whiskey for rum.
• Use cider – If you want to add even more flavor, you can certainly use cider. Simply swap out the hot water for hot cider, and your hot buttered rum will be bursting with cinnamon flavor!
• Make a large batch – I prefer to make a large batch of the spiced butter and then prepare each cup individually. It tends to mix better this way.
• Make in the crock pot – You can put hot buttered rum in a slow cooker for a party and serve with a ladle. However, I would caution that you need to stir it every so often so the spices don’t settle.
• Give as a gift – Hot buttered rum mix also makes a great gift. Just make a batch of batter and keep it in a sealable container. Package it up with a bottle of rum and tie it with a bow!

Your Questions, Answered

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Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

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This hot buttered rum recipe is rich, cozy, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. An easy classic winter cocktail ready in minutes.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

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Servings: 6

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Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter , room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar , packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¾ cup spiced rum
• 2 cups boiling water

For Garnish:

• Cinnamon stick , optional
• Vanilla ice cream , optional
• Whipped Cream , optional

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the softened ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt until well combined.
• Add a heaping tablespoon of the butter mixture to your mug.
• Stir in the ¾ cup spiced rum and 2 cups boiling water, stir until butter mixture dissolves and well combined
• Serve hot with cinnamon stick, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Notes

Storage: Store any of your leftover hot buttered rum recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating: Reheat it over low heat in a saucepan. Putting it over too high of heat will cause the spices to separate and kill off alcohol from spiced rum. Then remove from heat and pour into your glasses.

Freezing: You can freeze the spiced butter mixture, but I do not recommend trying to freeze the made beverage. Alcohol doesn’t freeze.

Nutrition

Calories: 277 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 10 g, Cholesterol: 41 mg, Sodium: 60 mg, Potassium: 24 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 18 g, Vitamin A: 473 IU, Calcium: 22 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Calories: 277

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butterbeer, hot buttered rum

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