Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum
Curl up with a mug of Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum this winter. Traditional Hot Buttered Rum is given a facelift with pomegranate, thanks to homemade pomegranate rum and pomegranate juice. This mixed drink starts with a combination of softened butter, dark brown sugar and spices, then add boiling water, infused rum, pomegranate juice and a little maple! Perfect for a crowd or individual, this Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum is the ultimate cozy drink.
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This recipe is more than a year in the making.
And before you’re all, “What do you mean? It took you a year to perfect Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum? What is WRONG with you?” let me tell you… it goes back to the rum and the timing.
In December of 2017, I was struck with the idea to make infused pomegranate rum. But the rum took longer than expected, so the pitcher pomegranate orange mojitos I’d planned for our New Year’s Day party didn’t happen.
And then I took a pregnancy test the next day.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Since I was pregnant with Lady Speckle, my production of drink recipes came to a halt. And once she arrived, I still wasn’t feeling any cocktails, so the rum remained on pause.
So now, more than a year after the original idea was conceived, I’m here to share the rum AND a mixed drink with you.
And it’s all kinds of perfect for the weird rainy-cold weather we’ve experienced here in Dallas recently.
What is hot buttered rum?
Hot buttered rum is a mixed drink that contains rum, butter, hot water, a little sweetness and some spices. Generally, it is enjoyed during the fall and winter months, especially during the holiday season.
This drink’s history goes back to Europe, where spiced, spiked drinks have been served for centuries to warm people from the cold.
More rum cocktails to try: Mojito Pitcher | Dark and Stormy (Rum Moscow Mule) | Rum Sidecar
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mason jar
- Large mixing bowl
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here is what you need to get at the store to make this winter rum drink:
- White rum — I like this for the base of our pomegranate-infused rum. If you don’t want to infuse rum, you may use spiced rum or dark rum instead for the drink.
- Pomegranate arils — we add these to the rum to infuse it with pomegranate flavor! You can get them by themselves in a cup or purchase a whole pomegranate and remove these seeds from the fruit.
- Dark brown sugar — this adds some sweetness to our drink. You can use light brown sugar if that’s what you have. Do not replace it with white sugar.
- Unsalted butter — you gotta have this for it to be hot buttered rum!
- Spices — since this is a spiced situation, we add ground cinnamon, ground ginger and ground cloves to the mixture. We also add a pinch of kosher salt, too, though you will not need this if you use salted butter. A pinch of nutmeg would also be lovely, if you’re into it.
- Boiling water — this is what makes our drink hot!
- Pomegranate juice — for more pomegranate flavor. A little goes a long way because this is intense.
- Pure maple syrup — for just a little more sweetness on the end of the drink. Use the best syrup you can afford. Don’t replace it with pancake syrup.
- Cinnamon sticks — these are our garnish!
How to make Pomegranate Rum at home
Pour the white rum into a mason jar, and add the pomegranate seeds.
Cover with the mason jar lid, shake, and set aside.
Let it infuse for 1-2 weeks, or until the pomegranate arils are white and the liquor is a rusty red color.
When ready, strain the pomegranate seeds, seal the rum in a jar, and you’re good to go!
How to make a hot buttered rum recipe with pomegranate
Mise en place. Measure out all your ingredients before mixing a drink.
Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl or a large liquid measuring cup, as shown here. Measure the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt into the bowl. Use an electric mixer to blend them together until combined. They will be very fragrant!
Add the liquid ingredients. Pour in the pomegranate rum, boiling water, pomegranate juice and maple syrup. Stir until the butter mixture completely dissolves.
Pour into two mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy warm!
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
This warm rum drink recipe is the PERFECT cocktail to serve at a gathering.
If I were serving this to share, here are a few things I might do…
- Make ahead tip: Make the pomegranate rum early. Mix the brown sugar/butter mixture with the spices in advance, and let it hang out before guests arrive. Combine the pomegranate juice, rum and maple syrup in another bowl, and then keep it chilled. When it’s time to serve guests, heat the water to a boil, and add it to the brown sugar/butter mixture, then add in the other liquids and divide to serve.
- Double or triple the recipe.
- Swap out the liquor. While this is a rum-based drink, you can swap it with another type, if you want, like whiskey or bourbon.
- Add different garnishes. Add a slice of lemon or a star anise for looks!
Frequently Asked Questions
No! If you don’t have time to infuse the rum or that’s too extra for you, simply use white rum (or spiced rum for some extra kick!) in its place. Easy peasy.
Pomegranate, to me, is the ultimate wintertime fruit, and I wanted to showcase it in a unique way.
In this drink, I’ve added both pomegranate juice and pomegranate-infused rum.
Don’t want to infuse the rum? Use regular rum.
Want to take that time and infuse the rum? It’s even more decadent!
More cold weather drinks to make and share:
Looking for another warm winter drink? Try Spiced Apple Cider or Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa. A Rum Hot Toddy or Vin Chaud are also lovely and warming.
Celebrate citrus! Mix up Winter Sangria, Meyer Lemon Shandies, or Sparkling Grapefruit Sangria.
Mix a mocktail! We love this wintery Sparkling Ginger Cranberry Mocktail and a Blood Orange Mocktail Mule.
Here’s how you can make this winter rum cocktail at home…
Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum
EQUIPMENT
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Ingredients
Pomegranate-Infused Rum
- 3 cups white rum
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
Pomegranate Hot Buttered Rum
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch ground cloves
- Pinch kosher salt
- 2 oz. pomegranate-infused rum
- ¾ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks , for garnish
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We’ll email a link directly to you so you can come back to it later! Plus, you’ll receive new recipes delivered to your inbox each week.
Instructions
Infuse the Rum
- In a large mason jar, measure out the rum.
- Add the pomegranate arils.
- Close the jar, and shake, then leave in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks, or until the rum is a rusty red color and the pomegranate arils are white (or close to it.)
- Strain the pomegranates out of the rum using a fine mesh strainer, and reserve the rum for later.
Make the Hot Buttered Rum
- In a large glass bowl, beat the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt together until blended and smooth with an electric mixer.
- Pour in the rum, the boiling water, the pomegranate juice and maple syrup.
- Stir until the butter mixture dissolves.
- Divide the drink between two mugs.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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