How To Make Hot Buttered Rum

Want to learn how to make hot buttered rum? Hot buttered rum is a type of toddy, a drink made with liquor, sugar and hot water. The drink dates back to Colonial America, when politicians would try to "butter up" citizens with hot buttered rum during the cold winter in order to gain votes. Today, hot buttered rum remains a delicious winter drink, a throwback to our early American heritage. You can buy a "batter (a mix of sugar and spices to add to hot buttered rum) but why, when it's such a simple and easy drink to make yourself?

To make hot buttered rum, you will need:

• 2 ounces dark rum
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon each allspice and cloves (optional)
• Cinnamon stick (optional)
• Twist of orange peel (optional)

1. Measure the sugar into a warm mug. Add a bit of hot water and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the rum, as well as the allspice and cloves, if you prefer a spiced rum. Fill the mug up with hot water.
3. Add the butter. Stir the buttered rum until the butter is completely melted.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or a twist of orange peel, if desired, and serve hot. 

Tips:  The traditional way to make hot buttered rum is to combine all the ingredients in a mug, then stick the end of a hot poker into the drink to heat it until it steams. For a variation on the classic hot buttered rum, try substituting hot apple cider for hot water and adding 1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon and cloves.