Rum, hot buttered
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A Hot Buttered Rum is a rich, warming cocktail where spiced butter is melted into hot water and rum, creating a velvety, frothy, and aromatic drink. Its taste is a decadent blend of sweet, creamy, and spicy notes from cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, with a smooth, comforting texture. Nutritionally, it's a high-fat, high-sugar indulgence with minimal protein or fiber.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 33% carbs · 67% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its luxurious, nostalgic warmth, especially during cold weather, holidays, and après-ski gatherings. It's cherished as a comforting, aromatic ritual that blends the indulgence of dessert with the conviviality of a cocktail.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and saturated fat content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and excess calorie intake, making it unsuitable for those managing diabetes or watching their weight. To counteract this, consider a smaller portion, using a sugar substitute in the batter, or pairing it with a protein-rich snack to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg
- Can be a comforting social or seasonal treat
- Offers a rich, satisfying sensory experience
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'batter' for Hot Buttered Rum is often made in large batches and frozen, allowing the spiced butter mixture to be scooped and dissolved into hot water and rum for quick, consistent drinks.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 75.8 g |
| Energy | 160 kcal |
| Protein | 0.08 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 5.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.10 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 8.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.07 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 2.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 4.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 11.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 39.0 ug |
| Retinol | 39.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 9.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.40 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 14.5 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.39 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.89 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.79 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Alcoholic beverage, distilled, all (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) 100 proof — USDA does not publish this profile for Rum.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
What is the 'batter' in Hot Buttered Rum?
The batter is a pre-mixed paste of butter, sugar, spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove), and sometimes vanilla or honey. A scoop is dissolved in hot water and rum to create the drink.
Can I make it non-alcoholic?
Yes, simply omit the rum and use hot water or a non-alcoholic rum alternative. The spiced butter batter still provides the signature flavor and richness.
What rum is best?
A dark or spiced rum is traditional, as its caramel and vanilla notes complement the sweet, spiced butter. Gold rum is also a good choice.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.60 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.1 g fiber · 4.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.36 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.