Oh, the holidays! There’s just something about the crisp air, the twinkling lights, and the cozy feeling of being snuggled up indoors. When the temperature really drops, and maybe a little snow starts falling, what’s better than a warm, comforting drink? For me, nothing beats a truly classic Christmas Hot Buttered Rum. It’s like a hug in a mug, bursting with all those amazing spices that just scream ‘festive.’ I remember my mom making this for us on Christmas Eve every single year, the scent filling the entire house. It’s hands-down one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I can’t wait to share this version with you!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Honestly, this drink is pure holiday magic! Here’s why you’ll be making this Christmas Hot Buttered Rum again and again:

Super Easy to Make: Seriously, it takes just minutes! Perfect for when you need a warm-up fast or have guests arriving unexpectedly.
Cozy & Comforting Flavors: That blend of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves? It’s like a warm hug for your insides. Pure holiday bliss!
Festive Gathering Star: It’s the ultimate drink for Christmas parties, holiday movie nights, or just a quiet evening by the fire. Everyone always asks for the recipe!
A Taste of Tradition: It’s a classic for a reason, bringing that nostalgic holiday feeling with every single sip.

Gather Your Ingredients for Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Alright, time to gather our goodies! For this delightful Christmas Hot Buttered Rum, you’ll want to have these on hand. Trust me, using good ingredients makes all the difference:

Here’s what you’ll need:

1.5 ounces of good quality dark rum (don’t skimp here!)
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, nice and softened
2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar (the darker, the richer!)
1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (freshly grated is amazing if you have it!)
Just a tiny pinch of ground cloves
A small pinch of salt to balance the sweetness
4 ounces of hot water
And, if you like it extra creamy, about 1 ounce of hot milk (whole milk or even cream works wonders!)

Crafting Your Perfect Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Alright, let’s get down to business and make this cozy Christmas Hot Buttered Rum! It really is as simple as it sounds, but a few little touches make it absolutely divine. You’re going to start by grabbing your favorite mug – the one that feels just right in your hands. Into that mug, go the softened butter, the packed brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, those little ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Give that a good stir right in the mug until the butter is all melty and the sugar has dissolved into a lovely paste.

Now, for the magic! Pour in your dark rum. You can use a spiced rum too if you like, but I’m partial to a good dark rum for this one. Then, carefully add your hot water. Stir it all up really well to make sure everything is combined. If you’re going for that extra creamy, luxurious feel, now’s the time to stir in that hot milk. It makes it just that much richer and smoother, almost like a little dessert in itself. Give it one last swirl, and there you have it – your perfect Christmas Hot Buttered Rum, ready to warm you from the inside out!

Pro-Tip: For the absolute creamiest texture, make sure your butter is truly softened – not melted, but soft enough to easily mash with a fork. This helps it emulsify with the sugar and spices beautifully, creating that signature smooth, rich base for your Hot Buttered Rum.

Tips for the Ultimate Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Want to take your Christmas Hot Buttered Rum from “good” to “OMG, this is AMAZING”? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve that really make a difference. These little tweaks will ensure your drink is the coziest, most flavorful mug of cheer you’ve ever had!

Spice it Up (Even More!)

Don’t be shy with those spices! If you love a really warming kick, try adding a tiny pinch of ground cardamom or even a whisper of grated fresh ginger to your spice mix. And for an extra festive aroma, a cinnamon stick stirred in while it’s hot is just divine.

The Rum Choice Matters

While dark rum is my go-to for its rich depth, playing around with different rums can be fun! A good quality aged rum adds complexity, or for a slightly sweeter note, try a Jamaican rum. Just make sure it’s something you enjoy sipping!

Make a Big Batch of the Butter Mix

This is a game-changer for parties! You can totally mix up the butter, sugar, and spices ahead of time and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge. Then, when guests arrive or you’re craving one, all you have to do is scoop a couple of tablespoons into a mug, add rum and hot water, and voila! Instant holiday cheer.

Non-Alcoholic Magic

This drink is fabulously festive even without the booze! Just swap the rum for about 4-5 ounces of spiced apple cider or even a good quality non-alcoholic spiced rum alternative. It’s just as comforting and delicious.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Okay, folks, let’s talk ingredients a bit more! Every little bit counts when you’re making something as special as a Christmas Hot Buttered Rum. That dark rum? It brings such a deep, rich flavor that’s just perfect for the holidays. If you’re not a fan, or can’t find a good dark one, a decent aged rum works beautifully too, offering its own lovely caramel notes. Some folks even experiment with a splash of brandy!

Now, about that sugar. I almost always reach for packed brown sugar. It’s got that wonderful molasses flavor that just sings with the spices. But if you only have granulated white sugar, it’ll work in a pinch, though you’ll lose a tiny bit of that cozy depth. And for the butter – always unsalted! That way, you’re in full control of the saltiness. Using softened butter is key, more on that in the next section!

Serving and Garnishing Your Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Presentation really does add to the magic, doesn’t it? For your Christmas Hot Buttered Rum, I love serving it in a sturdy, thick-walled mug. Think classic diner style or something with a nice, solid handle that feels good to hold on a chilly night. Some folks even love a festive ceramic mug – anything that feels cozy!

As for garnishes, keep it simple but special. A fresh cinnamon stick stirred in is pretty, and it smells amazing as it infuses. A star anise or even a thin slice of orange peel perched on the rim adds a lovely visual touch and a hint of extra aroma. Trust me, a little bit of care makes this already wonderful drink feel like a true holiday treat!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! Making the perfect Christmas Hot Buttered Rum is super easy, but here are a few things people often ask:

Can I make this Christmas Hot Buttered Rum non-alcoholic?

Absolutely! It’s a fantastic option. Just skip the rum and use about 4 to 5 ounces of hot spiced apple cider or even a good quality non-alcoholic spiced rum alternative. It keeps all that cozy spice and warmth, just without the kick!

What kind of rum is best for this drink?

I really love using a good quality dark rum because it has such a rich, deep flavor that complements the spices so well. An aged rum also works wonderfully, bringing its own lovely caramel notes. Just make sure it’s a rum you’d enjoy sipping on its own – that’s usually a good sign it’ll be great in your hot buttered rum!

Can I make the butter-spice mixture ahead of time?

Oh, 100%! This is my favorite party hack! You can totally mix up the butter, brown sugar, and spices ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Then, when you want a drink, just scoop out a couple of tablespoons, add your rum and hot water, stir, and you’re good to go! So easy!

How do I get that super creamy texture?

The trick is starting with truly softened butter – not melted or cold, but spreadably soft. When you cream it well with the sugar and spices first, it creates a lovely paste. Then, adding the hot water and optional hot milk really helps it emulsify into that wonderfully smooth, rich consistency. Don’t skip that initial creaming step!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this delicious Christmas Hot Buttered Rum can wiggle around a bit depending on the exact brands you use and how much you might sneak into your mug! But as a general estimate for one serving (using the amounts listed), you’re looking at something around:

Calories: Roughly 350
Fat: About 15g (with around 9g being saturated)
Carbohydrates: Around 35g
Sugar: Typically 30g
Protein: About 2g
Sodium: Around 100mg

Remember, these are just ballpark figures to give you an idea!

Christmas Hot Buttered Rum

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 7 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A warm and spiced rum cocktail perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 oz dark rum
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of salt
4 oz hot water
1 oz hot milk (optional)

Instructions

In a mug, combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
Add the dark rum.
Pour in the hot water and stir well.
If desired, stir in the hot milk.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, omit the rum and use spiced apple cider instead of hot water.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or a star anise.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 2 min
Category: Beverage
Method: Stirring
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mug
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 100mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Hot Buttered Rum, Christmas cocktail, holiday drink, spiced rum, warm cocktail, winter beverage