January 17 is National Hot Buttered Rum Day

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Every January 17 is National Hot Buttered Rum Day—a tradition that’s just as satisfying now as it was when I first wrote this post.

I love sharing this recipe every year to mark the day — it’s become a small tradition of mine. Hot buttered rum ranks high on my personal deliciousness scale, and this version, made with ice cream and stored in the freezer, is the one I return to again and again. It’s rich, simple to make ahead, and ready whenever the mood strikes, whether you’re celebrating National Hot Buttered Rum Day or just craving something warming on a cold winter evening.

Published: January 17, 2025.    Updated January 2026.

Hot buttered rums rank high enough on the deliciousness scale that somewhere, someone gave it its own special day: January 17 is National Hot Buttered Rum Day.

Did you know?

In the United States, hot buttered rum’s history dates back to the colonial days. It was in the 1650s when Jamaica began importing molasses to Colonial America. New England started opening distilleries where the colonists then began adding distilled rum to hot beverages such as toddies and nogs, creating hot buttered rum, eggnog and others.

Of all the hot drinks with liquor, hot buttered rum is my favorite. My parents always made it for the holidays. When I think of hot buttered rum, I think of my parents enjoying them at Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Foods associated with special times often summon memories from somewhere deep in my brain otherwise unreachable. Suddenly, I’m a kid back at home and dad is whisking the mix with a spoon into a frothy beverage for quests.

I’m certain I can hear the clink! clink! clink! of the spoon against the mug.

While not exactly a health drink, the recipe I use is far healthier than any ‘ol grocery store mix. Ice cream, butter and sugar make up the base recipe — all real ingredients. Stored in the freezer, it makes the perfect go-to cocktail for cold winter nights and holiday celebrations. I sprinkle mine with copious amounts of nutmeg.

Whether you’re celebrating now or bookmarking this recipe for next January’s National Hot Buttered Rum Day, it’s a treat worth sharing and savoring with friends or family.

What food or drink bubbles up special memories for you?

Cheers!

PS — This mix makes a delicious homemade gift when presented in a freezer-safe glass container along with a tag with the recipe.🎁