Hot Buttered Rum

[Jim Cotter]

The last time I had hot buttered rum was on the estate of a wealthy family who threw a party every year in January. They would collect all the Christmas trees from the neighborhood and create a massive nightime bonfire. There was a bagpipe band that circled the fire and the drink that was served was Hot Buttered Rum.

Anyone have any insight into what makes this drink? Spices? Which rum?

[Ed Hamilton]

At the risk of talking about winter already, hot buttered rum can be made by pouring some hot water in a mug, so you don't burn your hands, add some dark rum. Put a small amount of butter on top and stir with a cinnamon stick.

The rum can be spiced rum, which can be made by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. to a bottle and placing it on the mantle a month or so before the new year. By the time you're ready to burn the Christmas trees, you're rum will be ready.

[Jim Cotter]

Thanks for the response. I think your idea of making your own spiced rum specific to this drink is the way to go. It makes the preparation alot easier and yoiu can vary the cinammon /nutmeg to your tastes.

They banned the outdoor buning of Christmas trees enmasse now they meet there end in the business end of a woodchipper. Time to come up with a new idea to

drink hot buttered rum in the cold outdoors.

[PR Rum Time]

You might also try adding 1 or 2 lumps of sugar to the hot water then adding the rum and a pat of butter (unsalted, about 1/2 tbps). A little nutmeg can be nice too.

You can substitute cider for the water and add a half-teaspoon of mixed cinnamon and cloves, but that's getting away from the simplicity of the drink.

Something I've always wanted to try is putting everything in a mug and then dunking a red-hot poker into it until it steams; of course I wouldnt try this after round three.

[Ed Hamilton]

Cider is the ingredient that really makes this drink come to life. As for dipping a red hot poker in my glass, it would evaporate the precious alcohol and would probably leave ash in the glass. Try heating a piece of iron and then putting it in water, there is usually some residual ash left behind.

[PR Rum Time]

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Edited October 4, 2004 by David Steeby (log)

[Jaymes]

So I mentioned Hot Buttered Rum over in the "Christmas Eve Menu" thread and it got me to wondering - what rum do y'all use for this?