Hot buttered rum has a short ingredient list, so the rum matters. The recipe calls for 2 ounces of dark rum per mug, and an aged bottle is an easy way to meet that. Below are the styles worth buying, how to choose between them, and the kinds to leave on the shelf.
What the Recipe Asks of the Rum
The batter is butter creamed with brown sugar, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice. Each mug gets 2 tablespoons of that batter, 2 ounces of dark rum and 4 ounces of boiling water. The batter makes 12 servings, so one batch covers 12 mugs and the rum is measured fresh for each one.
Because the drink is built from butter and warm spices, a rum with some character is a better match than a neutral one. Aged rums from Jamaica and Guyana fit that description, and so do the rums in the table below.
If you have not made the drink yet, our hot buttered rum recipe has the full method.
Best Rum Styles for Hot Buttered Rum
- Aged Demerara rum: Made in Guyana. El Dorado 12 Year is a 12-year-old blend of rums from three stills, including a wooden Port Mourant double pot still, bottled at 40% ABV. It is our top pick because it is a true aged rum that fits the dark rum the recipe calls for.
- Aged Jamaican rum: Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks is a 12-year-old Jamaican rum bottled at 43% ABV. It is a good choice if you want a Jamaican rum at a strength close to a standard bottle.
- Navy strength rum: Hamilton Navy Strength blends aged Jamaican pot still rum with Demerara rum from Guyana and is bottled at 57% ABV. Smith & Cross is a Jamaican pot still rum, also at 57% ABV.
Rum Bottles Compared
| Bottle | Origin | ABV | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado 12 Year | Guyana | 40% | Aged Demerara rum |
| Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks | Jamaica | 43% | Aged Jamaican rum |
| Hamilton Navy Strength | Jamaica and Guyana blend | 57% | Navy strength blend |
| Smith & Cross | Jamaica | 57% | Navy strength pot still rum |
How to Choose Between Them
- Closest to a standard bottle: El Dorado 12 Year (40%) and Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks (43%). Pick by origin, Guyana for El Dorado or Jamaica for Appleton.
- A stronger mug: Hamilton Navy Strength or Smith & Cross, both at 57%. The same 2 ounces carries more alcohol, so keep the measure at 2 ounces to leave the batter and water in balance.
- Not sure: Start with El Dorado 12 Year and change bottles on the next batch. The batter stays the same, so the rum is the only thing that changes between mugs.
Rums to Skip
Light rum, also called white or silver rum, is not what the recipe calls for. The recipe uses dark rum, and light rum is a different style.
Spiced rum already carries its own spices. The batter adds cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice, so spiced rum piles a second set of spices on top of the first.
If you like warm drinks for a crowd, our mulled wine recipe is another one to make for the same party.
Ingredients
Batter (makes 12 servings)
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 ounces brown sugar or Demerara sugar (Sugar in the Raw)
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp fresh-grated nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
Per mug
- 2 tablespoons batter, to taste
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 4 ounces boiling water
- Ground nutmeg, for garnish
Instructions
- Cream the butter with the sugar in a stand mixer (or by hand with a wooden spoon) and add the spices. Keep refrigerated.
- Add batter to a warm mug and pour in 2 ounces of boiling water. Stir to mix, add rum and the rest of the water, stir again. Garnish with fresh nutmeg.
What to Serve With Hot Buttered Rum
Hot buttered rum is rich and sweet, with butter and warm spice in every sip. The best food partners are salty, crisp or a little sharp, so each bite resets your palate. Roasted nuts, pretzels, sharp cheddar and crisp crackers all work, and a plate of olives or pickles gives a savory break between mugs.
For a holiday table, think of what already shows up in December. A baked ham with a mustard glaze, roasted sweet potatoes and a bowl of cranberry sauce all hold their own beside it. The spices in the batter echo gingerbread and fruitcake, so a few simple cookies fit well. Skip anything heavily buttered, since the drink already carries plenty.
If you are building a spread, our Christmas charcuterie board has savory and sweet pieces that suit a mug of hot buttered rum. For a bigger event with several drinks, the cocktail party food ideas for easy hosting shows how to match food to the drink, and the holiday open house ideas on a budget covers a menu for guests who come and go.
Tips for Serving Hot Buttered Rum
- Make the batter ahead. The batter makes 12 servings and stays refrigerated, so the party-day job is mixing mugs, not creaming butter.
- Warm the mugs. The recipe calls for a warm mug, so rinse each one with hot water and dry it before you scoop in the batter.
- Set up a mixing station. Put the batter in a bowl with a spoon, the rum, a kettle of boiling water and the nutmeg on one tray, so a helper can follow the two instruction steps without you.
- Measure the rum. Use a jigger for the 2 ounces so every mug tastes the same.
- Grate nutmeg fresh. Keep a whole nutmeg and a small grater by the mugs, then finish each one at the last second.
- Offer a warm option without alcohol. Not everyone wants rum, so put out a pot of tea or cocoa too. Our crockpot hot chocolate recipe is easy to hold warm all evening.
Storing the Bottle and Choosing for a Gift
Keep rum bottles upright with the cap closed tightly, away from heat and direct sun. That keeps the flavor steady for the next batch of mugs.
If you are giving a bottle, an aged dark rum is a safe choice for someone who likes warm drinks. Tuck in a jar of the batter, a whole nutmeg and the recipe, and the person has everything needed for a first mug. Check the recipient’s taste and any reason they do not drink before you buy.
Common Mistakes With the Rum
- Buying for the label. Pick a rum for how it suits butter and brown sugar, not for the name on the bottle.
- Using spiced rum. It piles a second set of spices on the batter, as the skip list above explains.
- Pouring heavy. The recipe’s 2 ounces gives the intended balance of batter, rum and water.
- Skipping the warm mug. A cold mug cools the drink before the first sip.
Once you have the rum, the full method for the batter is in our hot buttered rum recipe .
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of rum is best for hot buttered rum?
The recipe calls for dark rum. An aged Demerara or Jamaican rum is a good fit, such as El Dorado 12 Year or Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks.
Should I use aged or unaged rum?
The recipe only specifies dark rum, so either works. We suggest an aged bottle such as El Dorado 12 Year or Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks.
Can I use spiced rum in hot buttered rum?
It is better to skip it. The batter already has cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice, so spiced rum would add a second set of spices.
Does navy strength rum work in hot buttered rum?
Yes, if you want a stronger mug. Hamilton Navy Strength and Smith & Cross are both bottled at 57% ABV, so 2 ounces carries more alcohol than a 40% bottle. Keep the measure at the recipe’s 2 ounces.
What rum should I avoid in hot buttered rum?
Light rum and spiced rum. The recipe is built around dark rum, and the batter already has the spices.
Conclusion
Start with El Dorado 12 Year or Appleton Estate 12 Year Rare Casks, then try a navy strength bottle once you know the drink. Make the batter once, keep it refrigerated, and mix a mug whenever you want one. For more cold-weather ideas, see our warm winter cocktails and our classic hot toddy .
