Retro Hot Buttered Rum Recipe (Crock Pot) – Get ready to cheers the holiday season with mugs of deliciously rich and spicy Hot Buttered Rum. This recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!

Two tea cups full of this hot beverage

Retro Buttered Rum

There’s nothing quite like a mug of hot, spicy, super buttery buttered rum to bring back warm nostalgic feelings.

It’s a wonderful treat for cold winter nights, and adds an air of festivity to any gathering! In fact, you’ll always find a big crockpot full of Hot Buttered Rum at our annual holiday parties.

This tried-and-true family recipe makes the richest, most flavorful Hot Buttered Rum batter ever. As the Crock-Pot base heats throughout the day it creates deep and spicy flavor, while also filling the house with the most amazing aroma.

You can make this on the stovetop as well, but the extra time in the slow cooker really intensifies the flavor. Give our recipe a try this winter and I’m sure it will become a part of your holiday traditions, too!

Ladle full of this retro hot buttered rum beverage

The Best Easy Hot Buttered Rum Mix Recipe

Let’s discuss Hot Buttered Rum methods… Most OG recipes include rum, water, sugar, spices, and of course butter. However, there is currently a trend to make (ahead) a hot buttered rum “batter” using ice cream as a base to keep the butter from pooling on top of the rum.

In my opinion, this is totally unnecessary, and a waste of good ice cream.

Instead, it is much easier and more efficient to make a simple hot buttered rum mix that cooks hands-off in the slow cooker. Then you simply whisk in a little heavy cream before serving, and it does just about the same thing as a pre-made batter… The cream perfectly thickens the rum and allows the butter to emulsify with the liquid.

My ice cream-free method also gives you a more pure buttered rum flavor, instead of turning it into a cloyingly sweet dessert beverage.

The delicious beverage ready in a mug

What Ingredients You Need

Hot Buttered Rum includes all of the most beloved flavors of the holidays in one warm, cozy mug of goodness. To make the best batch from scratch in the slow cooker, you need:

  • Water – as the base
  • Light brown sugar – for just the right amount of sweetness
  • Salted butter – I love using salted butter for the greatest depth of flavor
  • Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and ground nutmeg – together these infuse each mugful with the taste of the holidays
  • Cayenne pepper – adds a lovely kick of spice to balance the sweet notes
  • Spiced or dark rum – your choice, depending on the desired level of spiciness
  • Heavy cream – to create a perfectly creamy, luxurious Hot Buttered Rum with no batter needed!

Be sure to have some extra ground nutmeg on hand for garnishing!

How to Make Crock Pot Hot Buttered Rum

This is a fantastic 3 step retro recipe that you’ll love busting out every year to impress your holiday guests!

Here’s the easiest recipe for making Hot Buttered Rum in the slow cooker:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients except for the rum and heavy cream in the Crock Pot.
  2. Then cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 3 hours.
  3. Whisk in the rum and heavy cream when you are ready to enjoy.

You can serve the mixture straight out of the slow cooker. Turn it to Warm to keep hot.

Keep a ladle by the crock to allow guests to serve themselves if you like. 

Hot mugs of homemade buttery rum are the best when enjoyed with whipped cream and an extra pinch of nutmeg on top.

Get the Complete (Printable) Retro Crock Pot Hot Buttered Rum Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

Ladle full with a stick of cinnamon

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Homemade Hot Buttered Rum Keep?

I do not recommend making this recipe in advance. Once the Hot Buttered Rum is heated thoroughly in the Crock Pot you do not want it to cool and reheat. This is because the rich cream and alcohol will separate when cooled, and will not come back together well once heated again.

However, you can make the mix – minus the rum and heavy cream – a few days ahead of time using the slow cooker or stovetop. Then cool and store in the fridge, and pour back into the Crock Pot on the day you want to serve. Once hot, whisk in the rum and heavy cream per the recipe instructions.

Finished beverage ready for consumption

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Retro Hot Buttered Rum Recipe (Crock Pot)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
This classic Crock Pot Hot Buttered Rum Recipe is perfect for celebrating the holidays, and can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove top.
Servings: 16 mugs

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Place the water, brown sugar, butter, and all spices in a large crock pot. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
  • Cover the slow cooker for 3+ hours on HIGH heat or 6+ hours on LOW heat.
  • When ready to serve, whisk in the rum and heavy cream. Taste, and add a pinch of salt or extra cayenne if needed. Ladle into mugs and serve warm.

Video

Notes

To make on the stove top, simply combine all ingredients except for the rum and heavy cream in a large pot and heat over medium-low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat, and whisk in rum and heavy cream when ready to serve.
You can top with whipped cream and extra nutmeg if desired!

Nutrition

Serving: 1mug, Calories: 262kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 67mg, Potassium: 44mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 257IU, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert, Drinks, Holiday
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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