Crock-Pot Comfort: Brewing Hot Buttered Rum For A Crowd

Hot buttered rum is a delicious, festive drink that's perfect for warming you up on a cold winter's day. It's easy to make in a crock pot – simply combine water, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, and let it cook on low for a few hours. Then, when you're ready to serve, simply whisk in the rum and some heavy cream. It's a great drink to serve at holiday gatherings or any time you want something warm and boozy. So, if you're looking for a festive drink to impress your guests, give crock pot hot buttered rum a try!

Ingredients

The ingredients for hot buttered rum in a crockpot are pretty straightforward. You'll need:

• Water
• Brown sugar (light or dark)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Nutmeg
• Rum (dark or spiced)

Some recipes also call for:

• A pinch of salt
• Vanilla or almond extract
• Cayenne pepper
• Heavy cream
• Honey

The quantities of each ingredient will vary depending on the number of servings you want to make and your personal taste preferences. For example, one recipe suggests using 4 cups of water and 1 cup of brown sugar, while another recommends 2 cups of water and 2 cups of brown sugar. Similarly, the amount of rum you add can be adjusted to taste—some recipes call for 2 cups of rum, while others use up to 2.5 cups.

You can also adjust the spices to suit your taste. Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are the most commonly used spices in hot buttered rum, but you can experiment with others like cayenne pepper or cardamom pods.

If you're making this drink for a crowd, you can combine all the ingredients except for the rum and heavy cream in your crockpot and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 1-3 hours. Then, when you're ready to serve, simply whisk in the rum and heavy cream.

Method

How to Make Hot Buttered Rum in a Crock Pot

Hot buttered rum is a delicious, festive drink that's perfect for warming you up on a cold winter's day. Here's how to make it in a crock pot:

First, gather your ingredients. You'll need:

• Water
• Brown sugar (light or dark)
• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Ground nutmeg
• Rum (dark or spiced)
• Heavy/whipped cream (optional)

You may also want to add a pinch of salt, especially if you're using unsalted butter.

For this recipe, you'll need a crock pot/slow cooker with a capacity of around 2-4 quarts.

Add your water to the crock pot. You'll need enough to fill it roughly halfway, so use 2 quarts/litres of water as a starting point and adjust as needed.

Next, add your brown sugar, butter, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmeg to the crock pot. Give it a good stir to dissolve the sugar.

Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on a low heat for around 6 hours, or on a high heat for 3 hours. You want the mixture to get nice and hot, and for the butter to melt completely.

Once your mixture is hot and ready, simply add in your rum and give it a good stir. If you're using heavy cream, whisk this in now as well.

Taste your hot buttered rum and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add a pinch of salt or a little extra cayenne pepper if you like it spicy!

Serve your hot buttered rum in warm mugs, with a scoop of whipped cream on top and a dusting of nutmeg. You can also add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer for extra flavour and festive flair.

And that's it! Your hot buttered rum is now ready to enjoy. Curl up on the sofa and sip your delicious, spiced drink—it's the perfect way to relax on a chilly day.

Serving suggestions

Hot buttered rum is a sweet, warming drink, perfect for cold winter days. It is a popular drink to serve at parties or other cold-weather gatherings, such as around a fire pit or during the holiday season.

When serving hot buttered rum, it is important to note that it is quite a sweet drink, so it may be too much to pair with a meal. Instead, it is best served as a dessert drink or as a sweet treat on its own. If serving at a party, it is a good idea to have some snacks available, such as cookies or other desserts, to complement the drink.

For an extra special touch, provide a variety of garnishes and toppings for guests to customise their drinks. Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and whipped cream are all great options to enhance the flavour and presentation of the hot buttered rum.

If children or non-drinkers are in attendance, a non-alcoholic version can be made by omitting the rum and adding a little extra water or milk. This way, everyone can enjoy a warm, comforting drink.

Hot buttered rum is a versatile drink that can be served in a variety of settings. Whether it's a cosy night by the fire or a festive gathering, this drink is sure to warm your guests from the inside out.

History

Hot buttered rum is a classic holiday drink that dates back to colonial times in the United States. The recipe has remained largely unchanged over the centuries, retaining its sweet, creamy, buttery, and spiced flavour. The drink is typically made with a combination of hot water, rum, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt, all mixed and heated in a crock pot or slow cooker.

The history of hot buttered rum is intertwined with the history of the crock pot itself. The crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, was invented in the 1940s and gained popularity in the 1970s as a convenient way to prepare meals and drinks with minimal effort. The ability to set it and forget it made the crock pot a favourite for busy families and entertainers alike.

Hot buttered rum is often associated with winter and the holiday season. Its warm, spicy flavours and aromatic scent make it a comforting drink during cold weather gatherings and festive celebrations. It's commonly served at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's parties, adding a festive touch to any occasion.

The process of making hot buttered rum in a crock pot is straightforward. The ingredients are combined and cooked on low heat for several hours, allowing the flavours to meld and intensify. The slow cooking process enhances the taste and creates a rich, spicy beverage. The result is a smooth, sweet, and salty drink with a slight bite from the rum.

Over the years, hot buttered rum has become a beloved tradition for many during the holiday season. It's a drink that evokes nostalgia and warmth, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. Whether enjoyed by a cosy fireplace or shared with guests at a holiday party, hot buttered rum in a crock pot is a timeless treat that continues to delight people year after year.

Variations

There are many ways to put a twist on the classic hot buttered rum and make it your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Rum: Experiment with different types of rum to find your favourite. Dark rum is a popular choice, but you could also try spiced rum, coconut rum, or even a flavoured rum like coconut or orange.
• Spices: The spices in hot buttered rum can be adjusted to your taste. Try adding more or less of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, or even adding additional spices like ginger, allspice, or cardamom.
• Sweetness: The amount of brown sugar in the recipe can be adjusted to make the drink sweeter or less sweet. You could also try using other types of sugar, like granulated sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
• Liquids: While water is the most common liquid base for hot buttered rum, you can experiment with other liquids like apple cider, tea, or even coffee.
• Cream: For an even richer drink, try adding a splash of cream, half-and-half, or milk to the hot buttered rum.
• Flavourings: There are endless possibilities for adding extra flavour to your hot buttered rum. Try adding a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or experiment with other extracts like orange or lemon.
• Garnishes: In addition to the traditional nutmeg and cinnamon garnish, you could try garnishing your hot buttered rum with a dollop of whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, or even a twist of orange peel.
• Non-alcoholic version: For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the rum. You can also try adding a small amount of rum extract to give it a rum-like flavour without the alcohol.

Frequently asked questions