I love making this buttered rum recipe on chilly evenings because it feels like a warm hug in a mug. It’s simple but full of cozy flavors that make any night feel special. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy that comforting taste too.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are easy to find in your kitchen or local store. The dark rum might be the only one you need to pick up if you don’t already have it. When you go to the supermarket, look for a good-quality dark rum, as it adds a rich flavor that really makes this drink stand out.

Ingredients For Buttered Rum Recipe
Water: The base of the drink, it helps dissolve the other ingredients and creates a warm, comforting liquid.
Unsalted butter: Adds a creamy richness and smooth texture to the drink without extra saltiness.
Brown sugar: Gives sweetness and a deep, caramel-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices.
Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that adds a cozy, slightly sweet taste.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a nutty, slightly sweet spice that complements the cinnamon.
Vanilla extract: Brings a sweet, fragrant flavor that rounds out the spices.
Dark rum: The star ingredient that adds warmth and a rich, complex flavor to the drink.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When you’re adding the butter and brown sugar to the boiling water, it’s really helpful to stir gently but steadily until the butter melts completely and the sugar dissolves. Here’s how you can do that without making a mess or missing any lumps:
- Use a spoon or a whisk to stir slowly in circles around the pan.
- Keep stirring until you don’t see any chunks of butter floating or grains of sugar at the bottom.
- If you stop stirring too soon, the butter might float on top and the sugar won’t fully melt, which can make your drink taste grainy or uneven.
- Once everything looks smooth and shiny, you’re ready to take the pan off the heat.
Doing this step carefully makes your buttered rum taste richer and smoother because the flavors mix well together. If the butter isn’t melted fully, you might get little oily spots or a weird texture. Also, undissolved brown sugar can make the drink gritty, which nobody wants!
When I first made this, I didn’t stir enough and ended up with a few chunks of butter floating on top. It wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t feel as cozy or smooth as it should. Now, I make sure to keep stirring until everything looks like one warm, golden liquid. It’s a small step that makes a big difference and makes the whole drink feel extra comforting. Plus, stirring slowly helps the cinnamon and nutmeg spread out evenly, so every sip tastes just right.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
water - Substitute with apple cider: Adds a fruity and slightly tangy flavor that complements the spices and rum.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Provides a rich, creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor that pairs well with rum.
brown sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and a hint of maple flavor.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Contains cinnamon along with other complementary spices like ginger and cloves, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
ground nutmeg - Substitute with allspice: Offers a similar warm, spicy flavor that can stand in for nutmeg.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Provides a nutty, sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
dark rum - Substitute with spiced rum: Adds additional layers of spice and complexity to the drink.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the buttered rum to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Transfer the cooled mixture into an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain its rich flavors.
- For longer storage, pour the buttered rum into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
- Seal the container tightly and label it with the date.
- Freeze the buttered rum for up to 2 months.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen buttered rum in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to recombine the ingredients.
- Serve warm, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the leftover buttered rum into a small saucepan.
- Heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming.
- Avoid bringing it to a boil to preserve the flavors and alcohol content.
- Alternatively, transfer the buttered rum to a microwave-safe mug.
- Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed to your liking.
- For an extra touch, garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: used to bring the water to a boil and mix the ingredients together
Stirring spoon: essential for stirring the butter, sugar, and spices until they are well combined
Measuring cups: necessary for accurately measuring the water and rum
Measuring spoons: used to measure the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract
Mugs: for serving the warm buttered rum
Stove: required to heat the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the water, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract before starting to save time during cooking.
Use a microwave: Melt the butter and dissolve the brown sugar in the microwave to speed up the process.
Batch preparation: Double or triple the recipe and store the extra mixture in the fridge. Simply reheat and add rum when ready to serve.
Preheat water: Use a kettle to boil the water faster than on the stove.

Buttered Rum Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 oz dark rum
Instructions
- 1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil.
- 2. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Stir until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
- 3. Remove from heat and stir in the rum.
- 4. Pour into mugs and serve warm.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Poor Mans Sandwich Recipe5 Minutes
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe5 Minutes
- Jager Bomb Recipe2 Minutes
- Boudin Balls Recipe30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Pizza Recipe20 Minutes
- Smoked Pork Butt Recipe8 Hours 30 Minutes
- Pasta Fazool Recipe45 Minutes
- Hot Sauce with Jalapenos Recipe30 Minutes
Leave a Reply