Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy
A cozy hot cocktail featuring dark spiced rum, citrus, and a rich spiced butter blend perfect for chilly evenings. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 4 minutes brings together dark spiced rum, hot water, unsalted butter 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 230 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 spiced rum
- 5 oz hot water
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 whole clove
- 1 slice lemon wheel
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pre-warmed heatproof mug, combine 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon.
- Step 2: Pour in 2 oz dark spiced rum and 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice.
- Step 3: Add 5 oz hot water (just off boil) and stir gently until butter and sugar fully melt.
- Step 4: Drop in 1 whole clove for subtle spice infusion.
- Step 5: Garnish by floating a thin lemon wheel on the surface, resting it on the rim for aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 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 Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy?
Refrigerate any leftover spiced rum and citrus hot buttered toddy 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 Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy?
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 Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy 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 Spiced Rum and Citrus Hot Buttered Toddy?
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.
