Hot Buttered Rum

Featured in Sip & Savor: Refreshing Homemade Drinks.

Mix hot water with dark rum and a creamy spiced butter batter made using ice cream, butter, and spices. A quick, cozy drink perfect for the cold season.
A chef holding a plate of food.
Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:20:03 GMT
A creamy hot drink garnished with cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, and a cinnamon stick on the side. Pin it
A creamy hot drink garnished with cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, and a cinnamon stick on the side. | linacooks.com

Sipping hot buttered rum has turned into my go-to winter treat. I stumbled upon this drink recipe ages back and tweaked it over time. There's pure magic in how warm spices mix with smooth butter and deep rum flavors. Whenever I make it during winter gatherings, everyone feels instantly warm and at ease—it's basically warmth in a cup.

What Makes It So Good

This drink's magic lies in that fantastic spiced butter mix. As it dissolves into the hot rum, you get this wonderful creamy top layer that's simply divine. I adore how you can easily make more for bigger crowds, and my special touch of mixing in vanilla ice cream makes it super indulgent.

What You'll Need

  • Dark Rum: Pick a deep, molasses-noted dark rum for richness, though spiced or light varieties work in a pinch.
  • Spiced Butter Batter: Whipped up with vanilla ice cream, white and brown sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and sea salt for a rich, spicy foundation.
  • Boiling Water: Helps create that warm, soothing drink you'll love.
  • Optional Garnishes: Add star anise, cinnamon sticks, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra flair and taste.

Let's Make It Together

Whip Up the Spiced Butter Batter
Mix vanilla ice cream with white and brown sugars, add your spices, and toss in a dash of salt. Pop it in the freezer until needed.
Put Your Drink Together
Drop a big spoonful of your frozen butter mix into your cup, add dark rum, then pour over boiling water. Mix thoroughly until everything's combined.
Add Final Touches and Enjoy
Top with a stick of cinnamon or star anise. Drink right away from a warmed-up mug for the fullest flavor.

My Handy Hints

I always grab top-shelf rum since it really bumps up the flavor. Feel free to adjust how sweet you make it as tastes vary. My go-to trick involves heating the mugs beforehand so drinks stay piping hot. I sometimes throw in fresh ginger chunks for an extra zing.

Mix It Up

I'll use bourbon or brandy instead of rum when I'm feeling different. These days I've been trying it with black tea instead of plain water. For my friends who don't do dairy, I swap in plant-based ice cream and butter and it tastes just as good.

Perfect for Parties

Winter guests always fall in love with this drink. I like keeping butter batter stashed in my freezer so serving's a breeze. When friends pop by without warning, I can fix these warm drinks fast and make everyone feel welcome.

Keep It Fresh

The butter mix is so handy since it lasts in your freezer for up to a month. Just grab however much you want straight from the freezer when needed. If you end up with extra drinks somehow, stick them in your fridge and warm them up slowly on the stove later.

Why You Need This Recipe

Nothing beats wrapping your hands around a cup of hot buttered rum when it's freezing outside. It's now my trademark winter beverage that I can't wait to share with others. You just can't top the mix of warming spices, smooth butter, and robust rum flavors.

A close-up of a glass of creamy beverage topped with spices, including cinnamon and a star anise, surrounded by star anise pods and a cinnamon stick. Pin it
A close-up of a glass of creamy beverage topped with spices, including cinnamon and a star anise, surrounded by star anise pods and a cinnamon stick. | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long will the spiced batter stay fresh?
Keep it in a tightly sealed container in your freezer. It can last for a few months, so it's great for last-minute gatherings.
→ What does ice cream bring to the batter?
It gives the batter a creamy consistency and helps it blend smoothly into your drink.
→ Can I skip the alcohol in this?
Absolutely! Use just the spiced butter batter with hot water for a delightful non-alcoholic drink.
→ Why should I use salted butter?
Salt enhances the sweetness and spices, rounding out the flavors perfectly.
→ Can I change the spices around?
Sure! Make it your own by tweaking the spice mix, but keep the core blend of butter, ice cream, and sugars untouched.

Buttered Rum Drink

This toasty drink mixes dark rum and spiced butter batter for a rich, comforting treat, ideal for winter nights or festive gatherings.

Prep Time
1 Minutes
Cook Time
2 Minutes
Total Time
3 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 Servings (1 drink)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 6-8 ounces of hot, boiling water.
02 2 ounces of dark rum.
03 2 tablespoons of spiced butter mix.
04 1 cup of salted butter, room temperature.
05 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, softened.
06 1/3 cup of regular sugar.
07 ½ cup of brown sugar (light).
08 ¼ teaspoon of ground sea salt.
09 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon powder.
10 ¼ teaspoon of ground clove spice.
11 ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.
12 Optional: a cinnamon stick to decorate.

Instructions

Step 01

Whisk together the ice cream, softened butter, ground spices, and sugars until smooth and well blended. Seal in a container and freeze.

Step 02

In a mug that can handle heat, combine the rum with 2 tablespoons of the frozen spiced butter mix.

Step 03

Pour the hot water into the mug. Stir it until the butter mix fully melts and everything blends together. Serve while it’s warm.

Notes

  1. Butter mixture can be frozen for extended storage.
  2. Prepares enough batter for 32 servings.

Tools You'll Need

  • A bowl for mixing.
  • A mug that’s safe for hot liquids.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 250
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 1 g