As far as holiday drinks go, nothing compares to a hot buttered rum. This seasonal cocktail is great for all kinds of gatherings and parties, whether it's Thanksgiving with the family or an office party. 

However, why not go healthy this year and make a non-alcoholic version of this beverage? Alcohol-free spirits are becoming en vogue, especially with delicious options like Biscane rum alternative from Seir Hill. This way, you can get all the flavor with no undesirable side effects. Get out your mixing bowls, and let's make some hot buttered rum!

A Brief History of Hot Buttered Rum

In the United States, the origins of this beverage date back to colonial times in the late 1600s. During this period, rum became the go-to spirit for Americans everywhere, thanks to imports from Jamaica and other Caribbean locales. 

Because rum was so pervasive in the colonies, drinkers loved adding it to a slew of different drinks, including hot toddies and nogs. After what was undoubtedly years of fine-tuning, the hot-buttered rum was born. It's hard to say when its "official" creation was, but it did show up in Jerry Thomas' Bartender's Guide in 1887, so it was already established by then. 

However, after the Revolutionary War, rum reserves began falling in the US and were quickly replaced by whiskey. So, while early colonials likely had their share of hot buttered rums, the beverage fell somewhat out of favor as whiskey cocktails took over. 

The modern revitalization of this cocktail began in the 1940s when tiki culture spread throughout the country. Because hot buttered rum is both exotic and seasonal, it fit nicely into the tiki aesthetic, which is why it was featured in the Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink. Since then, the cocktail has become synonymous with the holiday season, although the official "hot buttered rum day" isn't celebrated until January 17th. 

Using Non-Alcoholic Hot Buttered Rum for Holiday Gatherings

One of the great things about hot buttered rum is that it's a decadent beverage, even without the alcohol. So, using non-alcoholic spirits doesn't affect the flavor profile too much, and you'll still enjoy the experience. While this cocktail is much more complex than most others, it's well worth the effort. 

Making alcohol-free hot buttered rum can also be a family affair, and it might even become a tradition for you and yours. You can make the whole process of gathering hot buttered rum ingredients and mixing the drink into something special and unique. Fortunately, Seir Hill has one of the tastiest rum alternatives (it's award-winning, no less), so you get the best of both worlds. 

What You'll Need to Make Non-Alcoholic Hot Buttered Rum

Making this cocktail may make you feel like you're in a bakery. Not only do you need lots of sugary ingredients, but you also need a reliable mixing bowl and an electric mixer. We also recommend using thick glass mugs for serving the beverage to get the full experience. 

Equipment Needed

• Mixing Bowl
• Electric Mixer
• Spatula
• Glass Mugs
• Pot for Boiling Water (optional)

Ingredients Needed

• 4 oz Unsalted Butter
• 2/3 cup Dark Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Ground Cloves
• 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 1 tsp Ground Allspice
• 1 Pinch of Salt
• 3/4 cup Biscane Rum Alternative
• 2 cups Hot Water
• Cinnamon Stick as a Garnish (optional)

How to Make an Alcohol-Free Hot Buttered Rum

This recipe makes four mugs, so you can scale up as necessary if you have a large gathering. 

Step One: Mix Your Rum Batter

The butter will turn everything into a thick paste, but everything will dissolve pretty well once it's mixed with hot water. An electric mixer can make the process easier, so you don't make your hand or wrist sore from stirring. You can either mix the ingredients in a bowl and transfer them to a heat-safe pitcher or mix them in an extra-large measuring cup if you have one. 

Step Two: Heat Your Water

You can either heat it over the stove or in the microwave, whichever you prefer. It should be pretty hot but not scalding. Basically, however hot you would drink coffee or hot chocolate. You can also use an electric kettle if you want to be fancy.

Step Three: Add Rum and Water to the Batter

Since this recipe makes four servings, we recommend mixing it all and then pouring individual servings. You should also pour the hot water slowly, so you don't burn yourself from back splashing. 

Step Four: Add Your Garnish and Enjoy!

You should wait for the cocktail to cool down, but it can warm your hands and soul while you wait. This is also a pretty aromatic beverage, so be sure to enjoy its scents. 

Hot Buttered Rum Alternatives

With so many ingredients involved, there are several ways to make this cocktail unique (besides using non-alcoholic rum). Here are a few of our favorites: 

• Use Dark Brown Sugar - If you want to add some extra sweetness and depth to your cocktail, dark brown sugar can make a substantial difference. Also, you can add a little more of it to the mix (i.e., 2/3 cup instead of 1/2) for an even more decadent drink. 
• Add Heavy Cream and Powdered Sugar - This drink is already pretty thick, but adding these two ingredients can turn it into more of a dessert than a cocktail. The cream will make the batter a bit runnier, but the powdered sugar adds a little extra magic to the mix. You can also dust a little powdered sugar on top instead of ground cinnamon. 
• Add Caramel, Honey, or Maple Syrup - As you may be thinking, you probably shouldn't have more than one or two hot buttered rums in an evening. Even if you use regular spirits, the drink can be too sweet to enjoy in large quantities. One way to kick things up a notch is to add syrup or honey to the batter. If you prefer, you can also drizzle some liquid caramel and add it on top. 

Overall, a hot buttered rum is a decadent and fulfilling cocktail that will please just about everyone at your next holiday party. If you want to look up other, less-sweet mocktails, you can browse our listings here. Also, see what else Seir Hill has for your tastebuds by getting the sample pack, including alcohol-free whiskey and tequila.