Hot Buttered Rum

We got our first snow today. It wasn't a big snow, but there was a dusting of white on a few lawns when I left for work this morning. It seems that winter is finally here (after an unseasonably warm fall).

The warm weather has really put a damper on my holiday spirit; it just doesn't feel like Christmas to me. It threw off my whole seasonal clock when it was warm AND getting dark by 5:00. Plus, I haven't put up any decorations (we were supposed to get a tree this weekend, but then Jerad decided to refinish the wood floors), I haven't bought any presents, and I haven't done any holiday baking. I haven't even read my annual "anti-Christmas" book yet (though, I have this year's book picked out already...You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs * ).

But, I'm ready to enjoy the winter. I'm ready for lazy days during holiday break, sipping a hot drink while a fire crackles in the fireplace. The December issue of Sauce Magazine featured several hot drink recipes I'd like to try, including real hot chocolate with a few tasty stir-in ideas & a bourbon-apple toddy.

However, my favorite warming winter drink is hot buttered rum. It's spicy, rich, potent...and quite soothing for a sore throat. Plus, only during the holidays is it acceptable to drink melted butter...mmmmm, butter.

Hot Buttered Rum

Makes 8 cups

1 stick unsalted butter (not margarine!), at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
spiced rum
boiling water
cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)

• Mix the butter with the sugar & salt.
• Put 1 tablespoon of butter in a mug.
• Add a shot of spiced rum to the mug.
• Fill mug with boiling water, stir to combine.
• Serve with a cinnamon stick.

* Every year, I read an "anti-Christmas" book. You see, I hate Christmas (though, the past couple years have been pretty good thanks to Jerad and his family). Several years ago, I read David Sedaris's Holidays on Ice (a collection of his Christmas stories) and it made me feel better because it was so disturbingly funny (as are most of his stories). My favorite selection from that book is the holiday letter from a dysfunctional family. Afterwards, I decided to read one book like that each December. So far, I've also read An Idiot Girl's Christmas (so funny!) and The Stupidest Angel.