Hot Buttered Rum
A cold-night classic: dark rum stirred into hot milk with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Rich, sweet and warming, with a cinnamon stick to stir.
- Time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Built in glass
- Glass
- Irish coffee glass
Ingredients
Amounts below make 1 serving.
- Dark rum1 ½ oz
- Butter — melted2 tsp
- Brown sugar — 2 Tbsp2 Tbsp
- Powdered sugar2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon2 dashes
- Ground nutmeg2 dashes
- Milk — whole, hot8 oz
21+ · Please drink responsibly. Learn more
Garnish: Cinnamon stick (1), Star anise (optional) (1)
How to make it
- 1
In a mug, stir the melted butter, brown sugar and powdered sugar together until combined.
- 2
Add the hot milk, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- 3
Stir well and garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or a star anise.
Swap it: Heat the milk gently until steaming, not boiling. Aged rum or spiced rum both work in place of dark rum.
Bar gear
Equipment for this drink
Tools you'll need
- JiggerA double-sided measure so every drink comes out the same. Look for one marked in ½ and ¼ oz.
- Bar spoonA long, thin spoon for stirring, layering and fishing out cherries.
Recommended glassware
- Irish coffee glassA heat-safe stemmed mug for hot drinks and toddies.
No shaker? A clean jar with a tight lid works. Build your home bar →
Recipe source: Total Wine & More — Hot Buttered Rum. Quantities and basic method are factual (the source lists amounts in "parts"; shown here as 1 part = 1 fl oz). Description and steps are original Mixistry copy. Last updated 2026-10-11.
Contains alcohol. For adults 21+ (or the legal drinking age where you live). Please enjoy responsibly.
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