Hot Toddy

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Hot drinks promote warm feelings. If you want someone to warm to you give them a steaming hot drink. Study conducted by US researchers

As we all know, the holiday's are creaping, but at the same time rushing, upon us. Durning these chilly months, I look for new and delicious, but fairly uncomplicated drink recipes that showcase the spices and ingredients of the season. I'm not a mixologist by trade so I often need recipes and ideas to kick start my creative juices when I get the first glimpse of changing leaves.

When the winter blues knock on my front door, I demand a drink that warms me all over, from the inside out. I take this opportunity to rummage through my liquor cabinet and rescue all the neglected and dusty liquor bottles I haven't used since last fall to create a piping hot cocktail that soothes the soul. So long to the icy, fruity concoctions we relish in the sweltering summer heat, we're approaching fall and now is the time to spice up these chilly days and nights with a steaming mug of something rich, creamy and velvety and a dollop of fresh whipped cream could hurt either.

Two Thanksgivings ago, my family made the pilgrimage to Memphis to spend the long weekend with my sister, Katie and her husband, Scott. Their wedding was in October so they were eager for us to visit their new home, and we wanted to spend the holiday with the newlyweds. We reminisced about their beautiful wedding, oohed and ahhed over their honeymoon pictures, prepared an absurdly enormous feast, and sipped our favorite wintertime beverage, hot buttered rum.

Hot buttered rum is a classic drink that waits patiently in the back of my mind until the first crisp evening shortly after Halloween. With its smooth and velvety texture, this drink is sure to lift your spirits and warm your heart.

This Thanksgiving, we will fill the living room full with family, litter the dining room with casseroles, bread and turkey, and infuse the kitchen with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and rum. This the only holiday my family can relax around the fire, drink a mug full of happiness and laugh and talk for hours on end. On November 27th, if you're in Memphis, follow your nose along the cinnamon and spice trail and join us for a mug of our favorite hot buttered rum, but be warned, you may not want to leave.

Hot Buttered Rum
From Duchin Lounge

2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
pinch salt
3/4 cup spiced rum
2 cups boiling water
4 sticks cinnamon, for garnish

Using an eletric mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth.

Transfer the mixture to a large measuring cup (4-cup or larger). Add the rum and water. Stir until butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among 4 mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.