Hot Buttered Rum

Me (back) and my brother (front) circa 1967/8

I don't know what it's like where you are but we have had a bit of a thaw here this morning and there is noticeably less global warming laying on the ground. Nevertheless it's still pretty cold and it looks like we may be set for an old fashioned British winter.

During cold spells like this it is important to keep up an adequate alcohol intake to maintain optimum health. Hearty soups and warming casseroles may warm you up but you risk long term physical and psychological damage if your alcohol intake is neglected.

The ice filled concoctions I have mentioned previously on this blog are fine for warmer days but are not perhaps what is needed at present. So in the interests of greater public health I present some ideas for drinks which will keep you warm while also maintaining a health promoting alcohol intake.

Hot Buttered Rum

2 measures Dark Rum
2 1/2 measures water
1 tsp Brown Sugar or Honey
1 tsp Butter
1 small pinch of grated Nutmeg
4 drops Vanilla extract
1 small Cinnamon Stick

Heat rum, water and sugar/honey in saucepan until almost boiling (don't get it too hot we don't want to boil off the precious alcohol). Pour into glass with remaining ingredients and serve when butter melts.

I like to a a good slug of coconut syrup, don't be too heavy handed though we aren't trying to make hot buttered Malibu. You can use some ground cinnamon if not sticks are available.


Grog

2 measures Dark Rum
2 measures Water
2/3 measure Lime Juice
1 tsp Brown Sugar
2 Cloves
1 small Cinnamon Stick

Heat gently in a saucepan to dissolve sugar, then strain into a glass, arrrrrrrr.


Canadian Cocoa

3/4 measure Canadian Whiskey (or Scotch or Bourbon)
3/4 measure Dark Rum
1/2 measure Creme de Cacao
5 measures Milk
2/3 measure Maple Syrup

Heat milk in a small pan until simmering. Add remaining ingredients and serve when syrup is dissolved.


Caribbean Milk

1 measure Dark Rum
1 measure Kahlua
4 measures Milk
1/2 measure Double Cream
1 Cinnamon Stick
1/2 slice Lemon

Heat ingredients in a small pan. Strain into glass. Again you can use ground cinnamon if cinnamon sticks are not available.


Cafe Henry the Third

1/3 measure Galliano
1/3 measure Kahlua
1/3 measure Grand Marnier
1/3 measure Brandy
5 measures Black Coffee
3 measures Whipped Cream
Sugar

Add ingredients to glass. Sweeten to taste. Float the whipped cream on top.