Hot Buttered Rum

Featured in Drinks Worth Making From Scratch.

This dark rum warm drink mixes buttery spiced batter made with ice cream and seasonings, blended with hot water for a soothing sip.
A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:30:27 GMT
A warm creamy drink garnished with nutmeg, cinnamon, and star anise, served in a glass. Pin it
A warm creamy drink garnished with nutmeg, cinnamon, and star anise, served in a glass. | cookbybook.com

Hot buttered rum has turned into my go-to winter drink for feeling cozy. I stumbled upon this mix a while back and tweaked it over time. There's pure magic in how warm spices melt with smooth butter and deep rum flavors. Whenever I make it during cold months, my friends immediately feel snug and at ease—it's basically like handing them a cup of pure comfort.

Why It Stands Out

The magic happens in that amazing buttery spice mix. As it dissolves into the hot rum, you get this wonderful creamy layer on top that's absolutely divine. I really dig how you can easily make more for bigger gatherings, and my personal touch of mixing in vanilla ice cream makes it feel truly indulgent.

Your Ingredient List

  • Dark Rum: Pick a rum with deep caramel notes for richness, though spiced or light versions will work in a pinch.
  • Spiced Butter Batter: Whip together vanilla ice cream, white and brown sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and sea salt for a smooth, flavorful foundation.
  • Boiling Water: Gets everything hot and steamy, just as this drink should be.
  • Optional Garnishes: Throw in star anise, cinnamon sticks, or a dollop of whipped cream to make it look and taste even better.

Creating This Treat

Whip Up Your Butter Mix
Combine vanilla ice cream, white and brown sugars, spices, and a touch of salt. Pop it in the freezer until needed.
Put Your Drink Together
Drop a scoop of your frozen butter mix into a mug, add dark rum, then pour boiling water on top. Mix well until everything comes together.
Add Final Touches
Stick in a cinnamon stick or float a star anise on top. Drink it right away from a warmed-up mug for the full experience.

Insider Tricks

I always go for better rum brands since they really boost the flavor. Feel free to adjust how sweet you make it—everyone wants something different. My clever trick is to run hot water in the mugs beforehand to keep drinks toasty longer. I sometimes toss in fresh ginger chunks for extra zing.

Switch Things Up

I've tried using bourbon or brandy instead of rum when I'm in the mood for something new. These days I'm really into mixing it with black tea rather than plain water. When my vegan pals come over, I switch to plant-based butter and non-dairy ice cream, and it's still amazingly good.

Party Favorite

Winter get-togethers aren't complete without this tasty drink. I love keeping the butter mix ready in my freezer since it makes serving so quick. When friends pop by without warning, I can fix these drinks in just a few minutes and make everyone feel welcome.

Storage Smarts

The butter mix is super handy and stays good frozen for a full month. Just grab what you need straight from the freezer when you want a drink. If you end up with extra drinks somehow, stick them in the fridge and warm them up slowly on the stove later on.

Why You'll Love It

Nothing beats snuggling up with hot buttered rum when it's cold outside. It's become the drink everyone expects me to make in winter, and I'm happy to share it around. You just can't top the way warm spices, smooth butter and deep rum flavors come together.

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. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long can I keep the spiced butter?
You can freeze the butter in a container with a lid for months, making it handy for gatherings or quick drinks.
→ What does the ice cream do in this drink?
It gives the butter a rich, silky feel and makes it melt nicely into the hot liquid.
→ Can I skip the alcohol?
Absolutely! Just mix the spiced butter batter with hot water for a tasty, booze-free option.
→ Why add salted butter here?
A little salt offsets the sweetness and really brings out the spice flavors.
→ Can I tweak the spices used?
Of course! Adjust the spice amounts to your liking as long as the base of butter, sugars, and ice cream stays the same.

Buttered Rum Drink

A smooth dark rum drink with spiced butter for chilly evenings or festive gatherings, quick and easy to prepare.

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

Category: Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 Servings (1 warm drink)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons of spiced butter mix.
02 A couple of ounces of dark rum.
03 Around 6 to 8 ounces of hot water.
04 Softened 2 cups of vanilla ice cream.
05 1 cup of soft salted butter.
06 A third of a cup of regular sugar.
07 Half a cup of light brown sugar.
08 A teaspoon and a half of ground cinnamon.
09 A quarter teaspoon of ground cloves.
10 Half a teaspoon of nutmeg powder.
11 A pinch of sea salt, about a quarter teaspoon.
12 Optional: A cinnamon stick for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine sugar, butter, softened ice cream, and spices in a bowl. Stir until smooth, then seal and freeze the mixture.

Step 02

In a sturdy mug, mix 2 tablespoons of batter with rum.

Step 03

Pour in boiling water and stir carefully until the batter dissolves completely. Enjoy it warm.

Notes

  1. You can store the batter in the freezer for a long time.
  2. This makes enough batter for 32 portions.

Tools You'll Need

  • A sturdy mug.
  • Mixing bowl for batter.

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