Hot Buttered Rum recipe
A rich winter warm-up blending aged rum, spiced butter batter, and steaming hot water.
Method: Build and stir ·
Glass: Heat-proof mug ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: Tiki & Tropical
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aged dark rum (Jamaican or Demerara rum preferred)
- 2 tbsp Spiced butter batter (Blend of softened butter, brown sugar, and warm spices)
- 4 oz Boiling water (To dissolve batter and temper rum)
- 1 pinch Freshly grated nutmeg (For garnish)
How to make a Hot Buttered Rum
- Combine softened unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl to create the spiced batter.
- Place two tablespoons of the prepared butter batter into a pre-heated heat-proof mug.
- Pour the aged dark rum over the spiced butter batter in the mug.
- Add boiling water and stir vigorously with a long spoon until the butter and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick before serving.
Garnish
Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Pro tip
Batch the spiced butter batter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator so you can quickly scoop a portion whenever a guest orders a drink. Ensure your mug is pre-heated with hot tap water before building to keep the drink hot longer.
History of the Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Rum is widely regarded as one of America's oldest mixed drinks, with roots tracing back to the colonial era when rum imported from the Caribbean was combined with butter, sugar, and spices to ward off winter chills. While popular folklore often attributes its invention to early American settlers or British colonial traders, historical records suggest hot spiced spirits evolved naturally from 17th-century European possets and grogs. The drink gained widespread popularity during the 19th century, cementing its enduring reputation as a classic winter comfort beverage.
Flavour profile
Rich, Spiced, Sweet, Warm
Variations
- Maple Buttered Rum — Substitute dark brown sugar in the batter with rich grade A maple syrup for an earthy sweetness.
- Hot Buttered Rye — Replace the aged rum with bottled-in-bond rye whiskey for a bold American whiskey profile.
Practise making the Hot Buttered Rum in the free Virtual Bar game.