Hot buttered apple cider (with rum)

On the winter solstice we whipped up a pot of hot buttered apple cider. Oh my goodness it was so delicious. So tasty. Everyone agreed.

I want you to have the same opportunity to imbibe this delectable, buttery, dessert of a drink.

I found the recipe here and made a few modifications.

Ingredients

For Spiced Butter:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon salt

To make:
Half-gallon (64 ounces) all natural apple cider
Spiced Butter
cinnamon sticks (optional)
rum or apple brandy (optional)

Directions

1. Make spiced butter by combining butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a small bowl. Use a plastic spatula to transfer butter mixture to the middle of a 12″ x 12″ piece of plastic wrap. Fold plastic wrap over butter mixture and shape into a log, twisting ends to seal closed. Refrigerate until ready to use. (I did not make the butter, but rather threw all the ingredients into the apple cider. It was delicious.)

2. Bring apple cider to a simmer over medium heat in a large pot, then turn heat to low. Remove spiced butter from plastic wrap and cut into 1-inch pieces. Add to hot cider and stir continuously until all butter is melted.

3. Ladle buttered cider into mug, garnish with cinnamon stick and top with a shot (or two) of rum. Serve hot.

We put it in a crock pot and plugged it in outside. That way we didn’t have to move far from the fire to ladle another cupful.

Have a great weekend!