I stumbled on this Hot Buttered Rum recipe years ago in an old Jackson Hole community cookbook, you know the kind, filled with family gems from locals who always seem to know the very best recipes. And let me tell you, this one did not disappoint.
What is Hot Buttered Rum?
It’s an old-fashioned American cocktail that has been around since colonial days. It’s a popular drink during the winter months, filled with holiday spice, and will wow your guests. Imagine a buttery, spiced batter stirred together with hot water and a splash of dark rum; it’s warm, creamy, and tastes like winter in a mug.
Some versions are made one cup at a time, but I love that this makes enough batter, so it’s ready all winter long. Just scoop, add rum, hot water, stir, and sip. To me, Hot Buttered Rum isn’t just a drink, it’s a little ritual of slowing down, warming up, and savoring the season.
If you enjoy Apres-ski drinks, try this fun Campfire Cocktail. For warm drinks, try my easy Chai Latte, Traditional Irish Coffee, white hot chocolate, and this Medicine Ball Tea this holiday season.
Hot Buttered Rum Ingredients
Buttered Rum Batter Mixture
- Butter: salted or unsalted butter, room temp (I typically use salted butter in my recipes) – If you do use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
- Powdered sugar: Also called confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar.
- Brown sugar: Lightly packed, I used light, but you can use dark brown sugar, too.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, but ground nutmeg works too!
- Optional spices: Try cloves and allspice for a little more kick
- Vanilla ice cream: slightly softened, use a quality vanilla ice cream
Hot Buttered Rum Drink
- Rum: Use dark rum vs. light rum; it’s a tradition
- Boiling Water: The majority of this drink is hot water
- Buttered Rum Batter: wouldn’t be a butter rum without it
- Whipped Cream: The perfect topping!
- Garnish: With a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon sticks
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Recommended Equipment
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer and bowl
- A good sturdy spatula and ice cream spade (also great for Mile High Mud Pie)
- Freezer Storage Container
- Copper Mugs or Coffee Mugs
How to Make a Hot Buttered Rum Batter
Instead of making these drinks individually, we will make a batter that hangs out in the freezer, just waiting for a chilly day when you need something to warm you from the inside out.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer and a mixing bowl), whip butter, sugars, and spices together until creamy and light.
Add the softened ice cream and blend until smooth (though some lumps may remain, that’s okay).
Place the spiced butter mixture in a lidded freezer container and freeze. Freeze up to 3 months (or longer).
How to use hot buttered rum mix
- Spoon a tablespoon of the batter (or 2 if you want it sweeter) into a mug
- Pour in 1-1 ½ ounces of dark rum
- Fill mug with hot water (or hot cider), stir gently to mix batter. If desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish
Hot Buttered Rum Recipe Variations
- Change up the alcohol: Try using Bourbon, Whiskey, Brandy, Spiced Rum, or Light Rum in place of the dark rum.
- Spices: Think of the warm spices, like cloves, allspice, and star anise, tailor it to your liking!
- Vanilla Extract: Add a splash of vanilla to the butter mix.
- Drizzle the mug with a little caramel sauce, or on top of the whipped cream.
- Some bartenders have tried using honey, molasses or other sugars, but I prefer brown sugar personally.
Non-Alcoholic Hot Buttered Apple Cider
I guess it would no longer be called a hot buttered rum, but instead we could call it a hot buttered cider, perhaps.
If you omit the rum, replace the hot water with hot apple cider instead to add a bit more depth. Equally delicious and non-alcoholic!
A terrific drink for celebrating the holidays, an apres ski or skating drink, or anytime you need a drink to warm you from the inside out.
Hot Buttered Rum Batter Makes a Great Gift
This traditional hot buttered rum recipe batter makes a great Christmas, Valentine’s, and neighbor gift.
Place a portion of the batter in a plastic or glass container, tie it with ribbon or string, a couple of small bottles of rum, and the instructions to make a Hot Buttered Rum; you might print out one of these cute Christmas Gift Tags to go with it!
Host an apres skating party (or skiing, sledding, snowman making), invite some friends over, start a roaring fire, make everyone a warm Hot Buttered Rum, and serve with some chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
How to store hot buttered rum batter
Scoop the batter into a freezer-safe airtight container and store in the back of the fridge for up to 3 months, but truth be told, I’ve found some the following year and it tasted great. When ready, just scoop, add ingredients, and serve this festive drink.
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
Hot Buttered Rum Batter
- 2 sticks butter salted or unsalted, room temp
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar lightly packed, light or dark brown
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg fresh ground is best
- ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves optional
- ½ quart vanilla ice cream slightly softened
Hot Buttered Rum
- 1 – 2 tablespoons butter batter
- 1-1 ½ ounces dark rum omit for non-alcoholic version
- Boiling Water or substitute with Hot Cider
- Optional Whipped Cream to top
- Fresh Nutmeg or Cinnamon sprinkled on top Cinnamon stick
Instructions
Buttered Rum Batter Mix
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer), whip butter, sugars and spices together until creamy and light, scraping down sides occasionally, about 2-3 minutes.2 sticks butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 ½ cups brown sugar, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon cloves, ½ quart vanilla ice cream
- Add softened ice cream and blend until smooth (though there might be some chunks), scrape sides and bottom and mix until smooth. Place batter in container with lid and freeze.
- Freeze batter up to 3 months. I've had mine in the back of the freezer for up to a year!
How to make a Hot Buttered Rum
- Boil water. Place tablespoon or two of butter batter into heat safe mug. Pour in dark rum and top off with hot water. If desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.1 – 2 tablespoons butter batter, 1-1 ½ ounces dark rum, Boiling Water, Optional Whipped Cream to top, Fresh Nutmeg or Cinnamon sprinkled on top
- Try using hot cider and if non-alcoholic version is desired, omit rum and make with hot cider.
Nutrition
Kay
Am getting the ingredients together to make this years batch-make this recipe last year and it was delightful and very tasty on a cold winters night.
Thank you so much Kay! Such a great thing to have on hand for a quick delicious drink!!
Kay112
Warmly delicious treat on a cold eve.
So glad you loved it Kay!!
Steph
I have been making this holiday favorite for a few years now. it is Great! Comes together so fast. You can make it ahead of time. No waste. The kids love their special holiday version too. Happy Holidays ????
Awe, thank you so much Steph! It is a holiday favorite. Thanks for taking the time to comment. It means the world to me!
Julie
This came to together very quickly and is delicious. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Love hearing that Julie! Thank you so much!
Paula E
This sounds amazing, Kathleen. I am wondering if the batter could be made, and adding the rum, freeze the whole thing, needing only the boiling water to finish it when ready to serve.
Hi Paula, I have never tried that before. Since alcohol doesn’t freeze, I’m not sure how it would mix. I might suggest that you pull a small amount out, mix in the rum and do a test batch with it freezing. Let me know how it works if you try it!
Nikki Lee
We are getting a cold snap this weekend and this is going on the must haves! It’s a delectable treat!
Jennifer Ann Stewart
Definitely making two batches. One for now and one for freezer!
LOL! You won’t be disappointed!!
Jennifer Ann Stewart
Sandra Shaffer
I had no idea how hot buttered rum was made until now. I love that this can be stashed in the freezer for anytime or to impress friends that happen to swing by! lol
michele
Its been so cold here that we had a winter wonderland party —- made the hot buttered rum to serve and everyone LOVED it! A definite KEEPER!!
Madi
This drink is so comforting! I need to make another batch asap!
Julie Menghini
This recipe is like a big ole hug from the inside out. I love it!
Debi
I love this drink. And I have everything to make it except the whipped cream. Making it today. Thanks
YAY! I hope you love it, heck, I’d just add another scoop of the batter if I didn’t have whipped cream! LOL!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
It’s been so chilly here lately and I could definitely use a warming up from the inside! I love that this is stored in the freezer. Pinned! Thanks for a great recipe Kathleen.
Thanks Tasia! Me too, ready anytime you feel the need to warm up!!