Hot Buttered Apple Cider with Rum

Originally I was planning to share a basic spiked cider recipe with you, but when I made it for my husband to taste, he said it reminded him of his college days when he and his fraternity brothers would spike apple cider with grain alcohol for drunken Halloween parties… not really what I was going for!

So I found a way to take it up a notch by combining ordinary spiked cider with a classic holiday cocktail – hot buttered rum.  Boy, was that a good idea! If hot cider is delicious, then hot buttered cider is downright decadent (a little booze doesn’t hurt either).

It’s ideal for a crowd because it sits on the stove in a big pot for everyone to help themselves. Plus, you can do most of it ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, all you have to do is warm your apple cider in a pot, stir in your spiced butter, ladle it into mugs and – if you want – top with rum.

I don’t know about you, but I’m planning to make a batch for Halloween…we may not be in college anymore, but why should the kids have all the fun?

If you enjoyed this post, sign up for free to receive new recipes by email.

Hot Buttered Apple Cider with Rum
Printable Recipe

8 servings

Ingredients

For Spiced Butter:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon salt

To make:
Half-gallon (64 ounces) all natural apple cider
Spiced Butter
cinnamon sticks (optional)
rum or apple brandy (optional)

Directions

1. Make spiced butter by combining butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a small bowl. Use a plastic spatula to transfer butter mixture to the middle of a 12″ x 12″ piece of plastic wrap. Fold plastic wrap over butter mixture and shape into a log, twisting ends to seal closed. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Bring apple cider to a simmer over medium heat in a large pot, then turn heat to low. Remove spiced butter from plastic wrap and cut into 1-inch pieces. Add to hot cider and stir continuously until all butter is melted.

3. Ladle buttered cider into mug, garnish with cinnamon stick and top with a shot of rum or apple brandy if desired. Serve hot.