When I let nostalgia set it… remembering the years past of having small children at Christmas time… I can’t help but remember the chaos that ensued on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve is always a huge gathering for our family. Way back when, the family flock would congregate at my in-laws house. We’re talking a lot of people… young and old, babies and elderly. There was always food a plenty and gifts in abundance… and most importantly… togetherness of those we love.
These gatherings were celebratory and joyful filled with laughter, hugs and tears. Yes, tears… of the child kind. Whether a spat with a cousin, being “forced” to eat food not liked, all jazzed up on sugar, or a far from child appropriate movie on the TV (that would be courtesy of then-single Uncle M., who decided Tremors was the perfect movie for toddlers! … for shame!) … there would be weepy little tears.
Needless to say, by the time we headed home with the clock threatening midnight, our kids were tired, cranky and excited all rolled into one.
On our drive home, they would be warmly snuggled in their seats, dressed in their Christmas pajamas. We would have Christmas music on the radio at a whisper level as they gazed out the window taking in the holiday lights. Glenn and I would be driving home in a daze with fingers (and toes and arms and legs and hairs…) crossed that maybe, just maybe, they would fall sound asleep in that 30 minute drive home!
Please, oh please… let my Christmas angels sleep!
By the time we arrived home and tucked said angels into bed, we still had work to do. Lot’s of work. Wrapping, assembly and staging kind of work. The kind of work where children must not be present. Shhhh…
For years, Glenn and I have had the tradition of watching the movie White Christmas and sipping our homemade Irish cream while we get those chores completed. Well, more like he watches the movie while I get the chores done… sound like your house? Hahhah.
Many years, our heads wouldn’t meet our pillows until 3am or so… only to have our angels come to life at 6am! It’s amazing how little sleep we could get by on back then.
That was then, memories sweet memories…
Nowadays, the Christmas Eve gathering is here, at our house most years. We number 40+ people. The “kids” now have kids. There’s a whole new generation among us. There is still chaos. There is still laughter, hugs and tears. Some things never change… and some do.
What changes? Well… my discovery of this drink… that’s what! Say it with me… HOT … BUTTERED… RUM! Doesn’t that sound scrumptious? It is. I’ll have all necessary ingredients on hand this Christmas Eve for an offering of the “adult” kind.
All that’s needed is a wonderful, sweet concoction of hot buttered rum batter, rum and hot water… and presto… a night cap extraordinaire!
Last year I posted a recipe for Apple Cinnamon Rum which is what I used in this recipe. It tasted fabulous. If you don’t have the time or inclination to infuse your own rum, any dark or spiced rum is perfectly suitable.
The hot buttered rum batter is a must for the recipe. Good news though, it can be made now for holiday enjoyment. It will keep at least two weeks in the refrigerator. One final note, top off each drink with a small (heaping dinnerware teaspoon or so) scoop of vanilla ice cream. I promise… you won’t be disappointed you did!
I’m taking a bucketful of ingredients over to The Novice Gardener’s for this week’s Fiesta Friday. I’ll even be this week’s bartender if needed! I hear Margy @La Petite Casserole and Juju @cookingwithauntjuju will be co-hosting the party this week… thanks to both of them for lending a helping hand to Angie.
Hot Buttered Rum Batter
Ingredients:
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 Tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
pinch salt
Directions:
In a medium bowl, for an electric mixer, combine all of the above ingredients. Beat on medium speed until the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer the batter to a 1 cup capacity container. Use immediately, or refrigerate (up to 2 weeks) until needed.
Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients per serving:
1½ Tablespoons hot buttered rum batter (above)
1½ ounces dark or spiced rum (3 Tablespoons)
6 ounces boiling water (3/4 cup)
Optional for garnish: cinnamon stick, apple or orange slice, ice cream.
Directions:
Place 1½ tablespoons hom buttered rum batter in a mug. Pour in the rum. Top with the boiling water. Stir well until batter is completely dissolved.
Garnish with cinnamon stick, apple slice, orange slice or (highly recommended) a tablespoon or so of vanilla ice cream.
yum! Love that you have such wonderful memories–how sweet. And this drink looks amazing. Made hot buttered rum a very long time ago and I think it’s high time I made it again 🙂
This was actually the first time I made hot buttered rum… let me just say, it certainly is far from being the last! (I could get addicted this stuff!!) Thank, you very much, Liz. 🙂
OK … I’ll go there … I’ve never tried hot buttered rum because the idea of drinking rum with butter in it wasn’t the least bit appealing to me. Only recently did I see an actual recipe for it and, I must admit, it did sound good, Yours, Nancy, with that batter, sounds even better. I think I’ll be buying a bottle of rum in the very near future. 🙂
I was right there with you, John… Until I tasted this wonderful concoction! It really has more sugar and spices than butter and appropriately, tastes spicy sweet! You must try it, at least once in your life… If you don’t like the drink, the batter can be put to good use for many things, from a toast topper to baking.
This looks so delicious! We are often too full for dessert after our Christmas dinner, but this would be the perfect. An adult beverage and dessert in one.
It is so yummy, Julie… adult beverage/dessert is the perfect description! Thank you. 🙂
This sounds so good–great to have on a cold winter night!
Thanks, Nancy… one cup will lead to a good night’s sleep too!
What a beautiful story you shared today, so sweet. Love the sound of this drink.
Thanks for your kind comment, Cheri! The drink is warm and cozy… just like the memories. 🙂
Have never had a hot buttered rum quite like this. I will have to try it. Maybe I’ll leave a cup out for Santa – he likes rum. My favourite movie on Christmas Eve remains A Christmas Carol.
I hadn’t had a buttered rum like this (until now) either, Hilda. It is quite delicious…and, yes, it’s a proven fact that Santa does indeed like rum!
Oh yes, A Christmas Carol is a “must view” movie during the Christmas season! Thanks for the visit. 🙂
I enjoyed reading about your Christmas Eve memories. My husband and I have a similar ritual, except we watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
Thank you! I certainly enjoyed pulling them out of my memory bank. 🙂 Oh… It’s a Wonderful Life is a good one too… we’ll watch that at least once during the season.
I’m going to make a big old jar of that to keep on hand, Love the hot buttered rum, it’s so delicious and comforting. Love your photo’s too, isn’t it great all the memories that the holidays bring to mind.
You are so sweet, Suzanne – thank you!!
My big ol’ jar of batter is dwindling as I type. Whoops…guess I’ll have to make more before Christmas! It sure does taste good. The holiday memories are wonderful, which have led to many of our current traditions!
Wow this drink Sounds dazzling Nancy… just love the blend of spices there…. love it.. thanx for sharing with us… 🙂
Thank you, Chitra! I thought I would bring a little fun to FF this week!
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This is a very interesting recipe, Nancy. Like a hot chocolate except with rum & the spicy butter batter! I would love the butter on a toasted bread too!
Thank you! It certainly is tasty… kind of like a drinkable dessert. 🙂 I’m thinking of trying the butter batter on toast tomorrow morning… I just fear I’ll want it all the time though. If only it were healthier!
This looks amazing – I love hot alcoholic drinks as they numb the pain … Yes, we still have one small child … but at least our Christmas is all done and dusted at Christmas Eve!
😉 Ginger
Hahhah. A little drink or two certainly helps to make certain situations a little more tolerable! I think you’re much more organized than I ever was (or, rather am…okay both), I can’t seem to get things done until the deadline. Thanks, Ginger. 🙂
This was Gene’s favorite winter drink – we would make a batch and freeze it. So, when he felt like a “hot toddy” he just scooped out a little into some boiling water and of course always added rum! Perfect holiday and cold weather drink Nancy. Just love the mug with the lights on it – you have a big basement too for all your gadgets LOL! Thanks for bringing me some memories and sharing with the party goers at FF. Maybe I will just have to make some to keep on hand 🙂
Glad you mentioned freezing the batter. That’s something I may have to do, at least through the winter months! This is a drink I wouldn’t mind indulging in on a more regular basis.
Yes… I’ll admit… I have that big basement too! Half the time I can’t find what I’m looking for though, Lol.
Tell me – a sister is coming up to make cookies tomorrow and I am scrambling to find everything. I am organized somewhat, but I do have a lot of stuff 🙂
I feel your pain! Good luck! 🙂
Gorgeous post and lovely recipe xx
Thank you, Melissa. Lots of memories are coming to light this holiday season. 🙂
I am just sitting here drooling over that hot buttered rum batter. It looks so good! Your post really made me smile. It was almost like you were describing our Christmas Eve’s in the past. Every year we are up on Christmas Eve until at least 3 wrapping presents. It was always such a fun night, but frustration, too, with behavior issues. I can really relate. You described perfectly how life is – such a mixture of emotions all jumbled together every day, good and bad, sorrow and joy. Thanks for the trip down memory lane and a wonderful recipe, Nancy!
My goals with post:
1. Get someone to drool. √
2. Hope someone connects with my story. √√
😀 Looks like you’re the winner, Shari! Thank you for taking the time to comment and sharing your own memories. I guess no matter where we are in world… kids will be kids. It’s wonderful that (even though back then it was frustrating) years later we can look back at those years with a smile and perhaps, even a happy tear. xxx
Sounds great!
I think the butter could be also great on French toast (with hot buttered rum on the side!)… 🙂
Thank you, Ronit!
I think we’re in sync on the French toast… I was thinking the same thing as I was tasting the butter batter off the spatula! It would be delicious on plain old white toast, too. 🙂
Delish xx
Exactly! Thanks, Dimple. 🙂
Ok, now I have to make this tomorrow night too. I’ll be heading to Target on my lunch to see if I can find a cute cup like you have here!! Thank you Nancy, I’ll just plan my party around you now…which would be truly “The perfect Party”.. ❤
Lol…happy to provide some inspiration, Prudy! Just let me know if you are in need of anything else. 😉