Hot Buttered Bourbon

Hot buttered bourbon is warming and perfect for sipping by the fireplace or serving at holiday get-togethers. The secret to making hot buttered bourbon is in the creamy and rich spice batter. A batch of the spice batter makes enough for 10 servings of hot buttered bourbon or rum and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months or frozen for up to a year. Packed in a jar it also makes a great hostess gift for holiday parties.

The most popular form of this drink is made with rum, but we decided to give it a Southern nod with our favorite Kentucky bourbon. A twist on the classic hot buttered rum, a drink that dates to colonial days, hot buttered bourbon can serve just one or two, or you can double, even triple the spice paste recipe so you can make sure an entire party is supplied with this seasonal tipple.

Learn how to make hot buttered bourbon, and find out the great way to gift this drink to friends and loved ones.

Ingredients for Hot Buttered Bourbon

You'll need two sets of ingredients for this drink. The first is for the spice batter. You can make that ahead of time, and store it until you're ready to make the drink itself. For the cocktail, you'll need a few other things, too.

The spice batter requires:

• Unsalted butter: You have to have butter for buttered bourbon. Butter absorbs the spices to make the rich batter for this drink.
• Brown sugar: You can use light or dark. Dark brown sugar has more molasses flavor, but either type is great.
• Pumpkin pie spice: An all-purpose spice mix that has everything you want for this drink. You could also use apple pie spice.
  

For the drink, you'll need:

• Hot water: It's used to melt the spice batter and blend with the bourbon.
• Bourbon: Pick your favorite mid-range bourbon that's ideal for smooth, easy sipping.
• Cinnamon stick: For more spice and to make stirring the drink delicious.

How To Make Hot Buttered Bourbon

The first step of making hot buttered bourbon is to make the spice paste. You'll do that by blending softened butter with brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice mix. This batter can be scooped into a jar or other airtight container and stored in the fridge for weeks.

When it's time to make the drink, you'll:

• Step 1. Scoop 1 tablespoon of the Spice Paste into a mug.
• Step 2. Add hot water and bourbon, and stir to melt the paste and combine the ingredients.
• Step 3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve.

Which Bourbon Is Best for Hot Buttered Bourbon?

You don't need a top-shelf bourbon for this drink, but this isn't a moment for the bargain bin booze either. A smooth, sippable bourbon is a good choice here. While the spice paste is the dominant flavor, with the brown sugar and warm spices, the bourbon is still integral.

How To Store and Reheat Buttered Bourbon

If you make the buttered bourbon one mug at a time, you likely won't have leftovers (or waste, for that matter). But if you big batch this cocktail (and keep it warm in a slow cooker), you may have some servings remaining. Scoop them into an airtight container or pitcher covered with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge up to 3 days.

When you want to enjoy another glass, you can reheat the bourbon drink in a saucepan, whisking regularly to help melt and blend the butter back into the drink.

More Festive Cocktails

If you're party planning, add these drinks to your menu along with this great warm beverage:

• Brandy Alexander
  
• Peppermint Martini
• Vodka Cranberry
• White Christmas Mimosas
• Cranberry Sangría Punch