OK, this is a hot buttered rum recipe for true believers! In this case, true believers are defined as people who like their hot buttered rum sweet, plenty hot, and tasting strongly of rum. No namby-pamby drink be this! It is truly a hot buttered rum drink for connoisseurs.

And when I say sweet, I mean sweet! This drink is a dessert in and of itself.

So if you enjoy hot after dinner drinks, or before skiing drinks, or any old time its cold and bleak outside drinks, give this quaff a try. Just don’t expect to drink it down in one gulp. It’s a leisurely sipping beverage.

For other hot adult beverage concoctions, see the following recipes made for enjoying on cold winter days: B-52 Coffee, Glögg, Irish Coffee, and Mexican Hot Cocoa.

Happy New Year to all. And stay warm. This recipe and the other recipes I referenced above should help.

Hot Buttered Rum Mix:

½ lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.

1 c. packed brown sugar

2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg (freshly grated is best)

tiny pinch allspice

1½ tsp. molasses

1 T. vanilla extract (yes, tablespoon)

1 pint vanilla bean or French vanilla ice cream, room temperature

Combine all ingredients. Store in refrigerator (if using within a week) or freezer, if using sporadically.

Hot Buttered Rum Drink:

1 c. boiling water

1/3 c. Hot Buttered Rum Mix, or more to taste

1 oz. rum (dark, light, or spiced), or more to taste

whipped cream, opt.

freshly grated nutmeg, opt.

cinnamon stick, for stirring, opt.

Pour boiling water into a large microwave safe cup or mug. Stir in the hot buttered rum mix. Taste and add more mix if required. Microwave until very hot. Add rum, taste again, and add more rum if necessary. Garnish with whipped cream and grated nutmeg. Serve with a cinnamon stick for stirring.