Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum
A warm, cozy drink blending rich butter and warm spices with dark rum, perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together dark rum, unsalted butter, hot water for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 oz hot water
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: In a preheated heatproof mug, combine 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz dark rum over the mixture.
- Step 3: Slowly add 5 oz hot water (about 160°F) while stirring gently with a spoon to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar.
- Step 4: Stir until the drink is well combined and the butter forms a rich layer on top.
- Step 5: Garnish by lightly dusting additional cinnamon powder over the surface and resting a cinnamon stick along the mug’s rim.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with a small cocktail spoon for stirring.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum?
Refrigerate any leftover cinnamon-spiced hot buttered rum in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Buttered Rum?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.