NYC's 6 Best Bars For Hot Buttered Rum Cocktails
January 17 is National Hot Buttered Rum Day (and no, we're not making that up). What better way to celebrate this "holiday" than with a drink in your hand? Here are our six favorite NYC bars offering this warm, silky, sinfully rich drink. Go ahead, indulge. Because everything's better with butter...and rum. - By Jonathan Pogash.
We have the inside scoop on exactly what makes the batter so good at Tipsy Parson: Cinnamon anglaise, butter (of course), light brown sugar and dark brown sugar. The mixture is blended together and 2 oz. is spooned into a glass, along with enough hot water to melt the batter. Then 1 1/2 oz. of Sailor Jerry spiced rum is added, a tad more hot water, and voila - perfection in a glass. Don't forget the freshly grated nutmeg, which adds that certain cold-weather scent and flavor we'd expect from a Hot Buttered Rum.
Joseph Leonard on Waverly Place in the West Village uses A.F. Rapoport's Hot Buttered Rum mix in their version of the wintry drink. The mix includes a "hefty" amount of butter, dark brown sugar and spices. Try it with a spiced rum and sample some of the restaurant's lovely entrees. New York Strip steak and Hot Buttered Rum? Yes please.
At Dutch Kills bar in Long Island City, you can enjoy a perfectly crafted rum of the hot buttered kind. Take your pick of anejo or spiced rum, combined with house-made spiced butter, honey syrup, hot water, and freshly grated nutmeg. Trust us: You'll thank your bartender profusely.
At Michael's Restaurant, the Latin Lava warms guests' hands and hearts. Perhaps a preview to Valentine's Day, this winter weather warmer includes Santa Teresa 1796, Marie Brizard anisette liqueur, homemade compound butter, apple cider, and a cinnamon stick. The Venezuelan rum that takes center stage offers a sweet and spicy boost, while the anisette liqueur, butter and cider together erupt with flavor in your mouth.
At Highpoint Bistro & Bar, the Hot Buttered Rum veers from the traditional by substituting Bourbon for Rum. The batter, consisting of butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon, apple spiced ginger, and ground clove, is spooned into a snifter glass along with 2 oz. of Jim Beam bourbon. A good accompaniment to their Chocolate Souffle, perhaps?
Newly opened Brownstone Lounge in Harlem offers a signature Hot Caramel Buttered Rum. A blend of baking spices accompanies the butter, along with dark sugar, honey, Van Gogh Dutch Caramel vodka, Ron Abuelo 7 yr old rum, and hot water. The handsome bar and happening vibe will keep you coming back to this uptown hangout.
For the latest on NYC's bar and nightlife scene, follow us on Twitter! Jonathan Pogash, aka The Cocktail Guru, is a beverage consultant, writer, and educator.
