This Hot Buttered Rum recipe is the perfect cozy spiked drink for a chilly evening. With butter, vanilla bean, brown sugar, spices, and dark rum, this boozy drink reeks of holiday spice!
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There’s nothing quite like a decadent cocktail recipe to sip on during the holiday season, whether it’s a Brandy Alexander or Dairy-Free Spiked Nog. This Hot Buttered Rum is the perfect way to warm up during the winter months. It’s a cozy drink crafted with dark rum, spices, whole vanilla bean, hot water, and butter. If you’re looking for a cozy drink to keep you warm during the cold winter months, say cheers to this Hot Buttered Rum recipe!
What Is Hot Buttered Rum?
The history of Hot Buttered Rum can be traced all the way back to colonial days, the 1600s. However, it first began its origins as a hot toddy, eventually transforming into the delicious hot drink we know today. A few variations of the hot toddy came about, eventually leading to what we call Hot Buttered Rum, a blend of rum, butter, various spices, and hot water. Since its inception during colonial times, Hot Buttered Rum has become such a popular drink that it has its own day in the calendar, National Hot Buttered Rum Day. If that doesn’t sell you on this cozy drink, we don’t know what will.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This spicy cocktail is super easy to make, using only a handful of ingredients. In addition, it’s a rich and buttery drink perfect for curing your sore throat or curling up by the fire on a cold winter night. It’s like the boozy cousin of hot tea, designed to warm you up from the inside out. Whether you have a sore throat or need a warm drink to unwind after a long day, you can’t go wrong with Hot Buttered Rum.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla bean
- Packed dark brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- Dark rum
- Hot water
How to Make This Hot Butter Rum Recipe
Mix the butter with the vanilla seeds, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and mace. Mix well so that it all comes together. Then, roll the butter mixture into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge until needed. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature.
Divide the rum between 4 cups. Then, divide the water evenly over each and stir as needed. Finally, slice a bit of butter into each cup and enjoy.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
- Use spiced rum for even more spicy goodness.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a dollop of whipped cream!
- Store the butter mixture in the fridge for up to one week.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you’re not a fan of dark rum or don’t have it, feel free to use light rum. You may have to add additional spices to get that spice factor.
No worries! You can substitute pure vanilla extract instead!
Hot Buttered Rum tastes like a warm, spiced rum drink with a velvety buttery finish.
Absolutely! Just double or triple the ingredients, depending on how many people you’re serving.
Yes! You can play around with different sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or even white sugar! Adjust the amount to achieve your desired level of sweetness.
Yes! Just skip the rum and swap it out with warm apple cider or a non-alcoholic spiced drink of your choice. You’ll still get a delightful spiced butter blend without the spirits!
More Cocktail Recipes
This Hot Buttered Rum cocktail is a delightfully cozy cocktail that’s super easy to make. With its rich, comforting flavors and the cozy warmth it brings to your soul, this drink is perfect for appreciating the simple things in life. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and let us know if you liked it!
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter - softened
- 1 vanilla bean - split, seeds scraped out, and pods reserved for some other magical recipe
- 1 1/2 tbsp packed dark brown sugar
- pinch salt
- pinch cinnamon
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 6 oz dark rum
- 3 cups hot water
Instructions
- Mix the butter with the vanilla seeds, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and mace. Mix well so that it all comes together.
- Roll into a log, wrap in a plastic wrap and store in fridge until needed. When ready to use, let come to room temperature.
For the Hot Buttered Rum Cocktails:
- Divide the rum between 4 cups.
- Divide the water evenly over each, and stir as needed.
- Slice a bit of butter into each cup and enjoy.
Notes
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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steph@stephsbitebybite says
WHAT?! Vanilla bean butter. Then rum. I need!!!
Mimi says
Wow. Hot buttered rum on LSD !
Katie @ The Surly Housewife says
I have a weekend getaway coming up with a bunch of rum fanatics. I will have to suggest this recipe 🙂
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
Hot buttered rum?? Wow this sounds amazing!!!!