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A boozy drink recipe with brandy. Made with butter, brown sugar, and warm winter spices, this hot buttered brandy makes a comforting beverage for a cold winter evening.
Why Make This Drink Recipe with Brandy?
When the temperature drops, it’s time to break out aaaalll of the warm and boozy winter beverages—think mulled wine, red wine hot chocolate, hot toddies, and of course, my hot buttered brandy.
This easy-to-make twist on hot buttered rum requires just seven ingredients—butter (of course!), dark brown sugar, spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, plus boiling water and your favorite brandy. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, comes together in about five minutes, and relies on staples you probably already have in the pantry.
As written, this hot buttered brandy recipe yields enough for two or three people, but it’s easy to double or triple if you’re hosting a crowd. For parties, I love keeping this warm in a slow cooker so guests can ladle up a mug whenever they like. I suggest garnishing with a whole cinnamon stick, which doubles as a festive stirrer.
How to Make Hot Buttered Brandy
To make hot buttered brandy, begin by melting the butter, brown sugar, and spices together in a medium saucepan over low heat. (If doubling or tripling the recipe, be sure to adjust your pan size accordingly.) Stir until the butter and sugar melt together, then remove the pan from the stovetop and add the boiling water and your brandy of choice.
To finish, portion the mixture into mugs, garnish as desired, and enjoy this boozy wintery drink!
Ingredients for Making This Hot Brandy Drink Recipe
To make hot buttered brandy, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter – Choose a good-tasting, unsalted butter to put the “buttered” in this hot buttered brandy!
- Dark Brown Sugar – I enjoy the deep caramel notes of dark brown sugar, but light brown will also work.
- Ground Spices – You’ll need ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. If desired, you can also add a pinch of ground cardamom or allspice to the blend.
- Brandy – I used about 120 milliliters, or 1/2 cup, of brandy. You can adjust the brandy (and the boiling water) to taste, depending on the level of booziness you prefer.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Optional, but I love to garnish (and stir) my hot buttered brandy with a whole cinnamon stick.
Serving and Garnishing Hot Buttered Brandy
This hot buttered brandy tastes great all by itself, but is also the perfect canvas for festive garnishes. Some ideas include:
- Cinnamon Stick – This is my go-to garnish. Place a cinnamon stick in the mug for stirring, plus additional cinnamon flavor.
- Whole Star Anise – Float a star anise pod in the drink for visual appeal and a hint of spice.
- Nutmeg or Cinnamon – Sprinkle each mug with freshly grated whole nutmeg or ground cinnamon.
- Dried orange peel – Float a homemade dried orange slice in the glass, or add it to the rim for a citrus-y twist.
- Whipped Cream – Top with a dollop of whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream and a dusting of ground cinnamon.
Other boozy winter beverages you might enjoy:
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
Baileys White Hot Chocolate
Mulled Wine with Citrus and Spices
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
Hot Buttered Brandy (Drink Recipe with Brandy)
Made with butter, brown sugar, and warm winter spices, this hot buttered brandy makes a comforting beverage for a cold winter evening.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
Ingredients
56 grams unsalted butter, softened (4 tablespoons)
50 grams dark brown sugar (1/4 cup, packed)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
180 milliliters boiling water (3/4 cup), or to taste
120 milliliters brandy (1/2 cup)
Whole cinnamon sticks, to garnish
Instructions
In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and spices over low heat. Stir until the butter and sugar melt, then remove from heat.
Stir in boiling water and brandy.
Portion into mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Serve immediately.
