A little reason to celebrate
National Hot Buttered Rum Day
Drink ยท January 17
A warm winter drink of rum, butter, sugar and spice, stirred into hot water and sipped slowly while the cold stays outside.
National Hot Buttered Rum Day falls on Sunday, January 17, 2027. That is 82 days away.
Hot buttered rum is exactly what it sounds like. A pat of butter goes into a mug with brown sugar and warm spices, then rum and hot water follow, and the whole thing gets a stir until the butter melts into a glossy layer on top.
The taste lands somewhere between a cocktail and a dessert. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are the usual spices, and the brown sugar gives it a caramel edge. The butter makes it rich and round, which is either the whole point or a surprise, depending on who is holding the mug.
Many people make a batter ahead of time by creaming softened butter with sugar and spices, then keeping it in the refrigerator. A spoonful of batter, a measure of rum and a pour of hot water make a drink in a minute. Some versions fold in a little vanilla ice cream or honey for a softer texture. Dark or spiced rum tends to stand up best to all that sweetness.
It is a drink for slow evenings. It cools quickly enough that the butter can start to firm at the edges, so it rewards drinking it while it still steams. A cinnamon stick in the mug works as a stirrer and keeps the spice going to the last sip.
For anyone skipping alcohol, the same batter stirred into hot apple cider makes a warm, buttery mug with the same smell.
Ways to celebrate
- Mix a small jar of spiced butter batter to keep in the fridge.
- Try a cinnamon stick as a stirrer in your mug.
- Make an alcohol-free version with hot apple cider and the batter.
- Compare dark rum and spiced rum in two small mugs.
- Share your batter recipe with a friend who likes warm drinks.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, January 17 |
| 2027 | Sunday, January 17 |
| 2028 | Monday, January 17 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, January 17 |
| 2030 | Thursday, January 17 |
All national days on January 17
Also on January 17
Categories: Drink days