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Stogie Spirits: Hot Buttered Rum

20 Jan 2010

I was recently reading an issue of Wine Spectator in which Jack Bettridge of Cigar Aficionado wrote: “I would further steer clear of cocktails of any heat at all—excepting Irish coffee…Hot punches or toddies are just too hard to pull off in any volume, and something about heating a spirit tends to kill it.”

hotbutteredrumWell allow me to disagree. It’s mid-January, which means we’re right smack in the heart of winter. Now is the perfect time to try a cocktail with some heat beyond the proverbial warmth that a strong spirit of any temperature provides.

Last year I wrote about the Stonewall Jackson, a mix of hot apple cider and bourbon. For those looking for less sweetness and more warmth though, allow me to recommend another winter favorite: hot buttered rum.

Sure, the idea of melted butter mixed with rum may sound strange. After a tasty combination of sugar and spices, though, it’s a warming treat that goes well with a cigar on a cold evening.

The key to hot buttered rum is a good batter, and making one isn’t all that difficult. Simply mix a soft stick of butter with eight ounces of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon of fresh-grated nutmeg, and a few dashes of vanilla extract. After the batter is thoroughly whipped, place it in an airtight container while it cools in the refrigerator, where the batter will stay good for a few weeks. (Place it in the freezer if you plan on keeping it longer.)

To make yourself or a welcome guest a hot buttered rum, simply put a spoonful of batter in a coffee mug with two parts boiling water and one part rum, stir well, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.  I like to use a golden rum like Bacardi Gold or Mount Gay Eclipse.

Hot buttered rum goes well with cigars, although the spices mean that you probably won’t be able to appreciate the subtleties of an overly complex smoke. So I recommend a medium- to full flavored-cigar with toasty notes like the Reyes Family Vintage, EO 601 Red, or Davidoff Special R.

No matter what cigar you choose, I hope you give hot buttered rum a try the next time you’re in the mood for a beverage that will warm your body and soul on a frigid winter day. Despite what some say, I think you’ll be glad you did.

Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

5 Responses to “Stogie Spirits: Hot Buttered Rum”

  1. Micha Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:04 am #

    Over here, we got also a variation of the drink with hot apple juice instead of the water (15cl juice, 5cl rum). Sounds bit more attractive to me –> http://trinklaune.de/2009/11/29/hot-buttered-rum/

  2. Sam Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:34 pm #

    Not sure I'll try it but well written. Love your blog, read it

    almost every day. Thank you!

  3. rick boyer Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 8:38 pm #

    well I tried the hot spiced buttered rum, a little strong for my taste, so will use a little less rum, and the apple juice sounds good to try next. I really like the lingering aftertaste of the spices. as for pairing of cigars, I smoke what I like and tonight is a savinelli ryr not too bad. thanks for the mix

  4. Kimberly Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:25 am #

    Melted butter mixed with rum doesn't sound strange – it sounds delicious!

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