If you know me or have read my blog for any time you know that my family enjoys going to a biannual event called Earthskills Rendezvoses. This is a great time of camping, learning, and campfire laughter.
One evening while we were sitting around enjoying the fire and music our friend, Seamus brought out a three handled pottery mug, a liter of rum, a bag of brown sugar, a stick of butter, a jug of water, and a long iron rod. This event was a tradition that we were warmly welcomed into, but what was about to happen we weren't sure of! Seamus placed the iron rod deep into the fire's coals until it was a rageing orange glow. This magical rod we found out was called a mulling iron. This was traditionally used to warm beer or other spirits in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Here is an example of one being warmed in a fire. It will be used to warm the liquids in the large pottery pitchers.
Seamus freely dumped butter, brown sugar, water and rum into the mug. We later found out that the mug was made by an awesome potter that we knew from the same event, Deb Sands. It was similar to this Friendship Mug. (Kind of)
Once the mulling iron was glowing, he removed it from the coals and placed it deep into the clay mug. The liquids quickly boiled and melted the butter and sugar into a wonderful treat. The group passed it around the fire, outside of Christina's time period canvas tent, while we listened to Jeff's guitar playing. To be honest, I had had hot buttered rum before, but this was truly the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Sometimes, I want to relive these memories so I make a little hot buttered rum, listen to some good music, and say a prayer for my friends. We have met some amazing people that are very talented at these gatherings. So when you want to gather some friends and share some music or just the joy of forming community try sharing some hot buttered rum, it makes everything sweeter!
This is my more precise version.
Hot Buttered Rum
- 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch ground cloves
- Pinch salt
- Bottle of spiced or dark rum
- Boiling water
Directions
In a bowl, cream together the
butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Refrigerate until almost
firm. You can roll this into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap for storage or
even freeze it for later use. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture
into 12 small mugs. Pour about 1 to 2 ounces of rum into each mug
(more if you must). Top with boiling water stir well, and serve immediately.
Makes 10-12 servings
To heart warming gatherings this holiday season,
Jill
The Herbal Hutch
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