Cocktails with Mo | The Hickory Hot Buttered Rum

Finally! Some fall-feeling weather! I'm from Florida and I HATE the cold (figures that I would move to Indiana), so I try not to complain when it's not "cold enough" to feel seasonal. I am super excited, though, that bonfires and warm beverages are actually warranted now, and guys, I have the perfect concoction for you that combines those two things perfectly.

Mo and I had so much fun crafting this smoky hot buttered rum recipe. By the time I left her house I wreaked of hickory smoke because we had to shoot the drink several times to get just the right billowy, smoky shot. My high school friends who remember me as a little bit of a pyro (a harmless one) will probably know how excited I was when Mo broke out her butane torch for this.

I absolutely love a good, hot buttered rum in the cold months--it's the ultimate when coziness and comfort are top on the priority list. Mo actually suggests calling in sick and enjoying one for breakfast. You do you...We won't tell ;)

The main recipe part of this cocktail is super easy. It's just mixing together the ingredients that make that butter even more indulgent. With great-quality butter at room temperature, stir in brown sugar, vanilla beans (scraped from the pod), a little cinnamon and a pinch of salt. I could just eat this with a spoon and forget all about the cocktail part but I try to contain myself long enough to enjoy it with rum because, well, rum.

We got kind of fancy here with the hickory smoke. I'll admit that it might be a stretch to find a hickory stick and actually smoke your glass before making the drink. I am lucky enough to be part of an incredible CSA that gives us cool stuff like hickory smoke wood. I do think it adds such an interesting layer of flavor that it's worth it to take the extra step, especially for a party. So if you're feeling adventurous (C'mon! You know you are!), you can pick up BBQ smoke wood in a bag at Home Depot or on Amazon here.

Smoking the glass

Option 1: Light one end of the hickory wood and allow it to burn until the wood is nice and smoky, then place it in something air-tight and heat proof along with your coffee mug. You could easily DIY a contraption like the cloche we used with a glass bowl turned upside-down on a cutting board. Allow the mug to smoke for a good 5-10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

Option 2: This is probably the best bet for a crowd. Light the grill and use your hickory smoke wood the same way you would if you were making hickory smoke flavored meat. Place some good, sturdy enamel camp mugs on the grates. Smoke mugs for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Allow to cool to the touch before removing.

You could also substitute the regular butter for pre-made smoked butter, which I've never personally tried, but it seems like an interesting product to have in the fridge for other things (top a steak with it, melt a little into your mashed potatoes... are you following?) I found this one by doing a quick Google search. If you try it, let me know!

Here's the full recipe! Enjoy!

For the spiced butter:

1 Stick of good quality butter, unsalted, at room temperature (or smoked butter if you plan to use that method)

2 Tablespoons, packed, dark brown sugar

1/2 Tsp ground cinnamon

1 Vanilla bean pod, split and seeds scraped (use the seeds in this recipe and save the pod to make your own bourbon vanilla extract!)

Pinch of salt

Whip together all the ingredients in a bowl with the back of a spoon, beating the butter back and forth until smooth and creamy. Store in a small jar with a lid in the fridge (if you're one of those crazy people that actually has enough self control not to eat it!)

For each cocktail:

Hickory smoke wood, if using, to smoke the glass

2 Tbs spiced butter

1/2 Cup boiling water

2 Oz dark spiced rum

Smoke your mug(s) using one of the smoking methods highlighted above. Add 2 Tbs spiced butter to each mug. Pour in the boiling water and stir together with the butter until completely dissolved. Add rum and stir once more. Serve immediately, while sitting around a bonfire or in front of a Christmas movie. Cozy blankets optional but heavily suggested.