Hot Apple Cider Buttered Rum Recipe

Creamy apple-cinnamon spiced beverage topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks, surrounded by lots of apples, whole spices, and candles.

Hot Apple Cider Buttered Rum Recipe

This Apple Cider Hot Buttered Rum is the ultimate cozy cocktail! It features a rich, spiced buttered rum batter made with apple butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The batter can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in the fridge, so you can whip up these drinks in minutes whenever the mood strikes.

For a quick version, simply add the batter and spiced rum to a mug and pour hot apple cider over the top. If you want to take it to the next level with minimal effort, mull the apple cider with whole spices, fresh apple slices, and orange for incredible depth of flavor and an amazing aroma. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks for the perfect finishing touch. Perfect for après-ski, holiday gatherings, or cozy nights by the fire!

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 334kcal

Author: Briana

Equipment

dutch oven or stock pot
metal sieve or skimmer
hand mixer

Ingredients

Mulled apple cider (makes 8 servings)

4 cups fresh apple cider ½ gallon
1 medium Honey Crisp apple can substitute for a firm and super sweet apple, cut into slices or rounds
1 medium Cripps Pink apple can substitute for a sweet & tart, firm apple, cut into slices or rounds
1 medium orange cut into slices or rounds, optional
3 whole cinnamon sticks
1 whole star anise pod
½ tablespoon whole cardamom pods crushed slightly
½ tablespoon whole cloves
½ tablespoon whole allspice
2 tablespoons fresh ginger about 1.5 inches long, cut into chunks, optional

Apple buttered rum batter (makes 8 servings)

½ cup unsalted butter softened 1 stick
⅔ cup brown sugar 134g
¼ cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon cloves

Per 1 drink

1 ½ tablespoons buttered rum batter to taste
1 ½ - 2 ounces dark spiced rum to taste
½ cup mulled apple cider hot!
Whipped cream, apple slices, cinnamon & a cinnamon stick for garnish, optional

Instructions

Mull the apple cider (optional!) You can skip right to heating the cider on its own without mulling if you are short on time. To mull, combine apple cider, whole spices, ginger, apple slices, and orange slices in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
4 cups fresh apple cider, 1 medium Honey Crisp apple, 1 medium Cripps Pink apple, 1 medium orange, 3 whole cinnamon sticks, 1 whole star anise pod, ½ tablespoon whole cardamom pods, ½ tablespoon whole cloves, ½ tablespoon whole allspice, 2 tablespoons fresh ginger
Reduce the heat to low, and allow the mixture to simmer gently. Take care not to boil the mixture. Simmer for at least 15-20 minutes (but up to 3 hours). For even more flavor, you can refrigerate the cider overnight before straining, covered, in the fridge before removing the fruit and spices to allow the flavors to infuse more!
Use a metal sieve or skimmer and remove the whole spices and fruit from the pot, and discard them. Keep the cider warm over medium-low heat until you're ready to mix up your drinks.
Apple buttered rum batter. Combine softened butter, apple butter, brown sugar, vanilla, spices, and salt in a bowl.
½ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup apple butter, ⅔ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon cloves
Using an electric hand mixer (or by hand with some patience!), combine all of the ingredients until a smooth mixture forms. You can make this up to 2 weeks in advance and store it in the fridge, or freeze it, and it will last for 3 months.
To make one drink. Add buttered rum batter to the bottom of a thick-walled (or double-walled) mug. Pour the spiced rum over top, followed by the hot apple cider! Stir well until the butter melts.
1 ½ tablespoons buttered rum batter, 1 ½ - 2 ounces dark spiced rum, ½ cup mulled apple cider
Top with whipped cream, cinnamon powder, a cinnamon stick, and an apple slice, and enjoy when your drink is nice and warm!
Whipped cream, apple slices, cinnamon & a cinnamon stick

Video

View this post on Instagram

Notes

Mulling the apple cider. This can be done 4 days in advance of serving and kept in the fridge in an airtight container, then can be reheated right before serving. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months, then thawed and reheated.
Adjust the sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with ½ cup brown sugar in the batter and add more to taste.
Adjust spice level. Love spices? Add an extra ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of ground ginger. Prefer it milder? Cut the spices in half.
Make it non-alcoholic. Skip the rum entirely! The buttered rum batter with hot mulled apple cider is still absolutely delicious on its own—perfect for kids or anyone who doesn't drink.
Batch it for a party. Keep the batter in a bowl, the mulled cider warm in a slow cooker, and let guests build their own drinks! Set out the rum, whipped cream, and garnishes for a fun DIY cocktail bar.
Freeze the batter in portions. Scoop 1.5 tablespoon-sized portions of the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. That way, you can enjoy a drink anytime over the cold season; it will last up to 3 months in the freezer!

Nutrition