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This cozy cocktail is buttery, spiced and full of tropical flavor. The spiced pineapple hot buttered rum toddy combines caramelized pineapple, spiced rum, schnapps and warm pineapple juice for a drink that feels like winter met the beach. A dollop of sweet butter with nutmeg and cinnamon melts into the hot liquid, creating a silky texture and deep flavor. Garnished with pineapple and a cherry, this cocktail is just as eye-catching as it is comforting and rich.
This spiced pineapple hot buttered rum toddy is a warm and tropical drink made with spiced rum, caramelized pineapple, schnapps and sweet butter.
More mouthwatering options include cranberry margaritas, ginger snap eggnog pudding shots and festive prosecco punch.
Why You’ll Love It
Cozy and rich: The buttery texture and spices make it extra comforting.
Tropical twist: Pineapple and schnapps add a sweet island vibe.
Beautiful presentation: The garnish makes every mug look special.
Quick to make: This comes together fast with minimal effort.
Pineapple Hot Toddy Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pineapple wedges: Caramelize for a rich, sweet garnish that adds visual appeal.
Dark brown sugar: Sweetens the pineapple and butter mixture with molasses depth.
Salted butter: Creates a silky, rich base for the hot drink.
Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon warm up the flavor and balance the sweetness.
Pineapple juice: Adds tropical fruitiness and makes the toddy bright and juicy.
Spiced rum: Brings depth and a warming kick.
Butterscotch schnapps: Adds smooth, buttery sweetness that blends perfectly with the rum.
Vanilla extract: Rounds everything out with a subtle, comforting finish.
Maraschino cherries: Finish the drink with color and classic cocktail flair.
How to Make Spiced Pineapple Buttered Rum
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Caramelize the pineapple: Sprinkle sugar on pineapple wedges and broil until golden. Let cool.
Mix the butter base: Combine softened butter, remaining sugar and spices. Divide into mugs.
Build the drink: Pour hot pineapple juice, spiced rum, schnapps and vanilla over the butter mixture. Stir well.
Garnish and serve: Skewer 2 pineapple wedges with a cherry on a flat sandwich pick and rest across the top of each mug.
Substitutions and Variations
Use canned pineapple: If fresh isn’t available, canned rings work well.
Try a different liquor: Use dark rum, bourbon or even amaretto for a new twist.
Make it non-alcoholic: Skip the booze and use spiced apple cider instead.
Gluten free option: Use verified gluten free schnapps and pure juice for a safe sip.
Serving Suggestions
With appetizers: Pair your hot toddies with crab cake egg rolls, Christmas deviled eggs or some of these warm appetizers.
With dessert: You might like to serve them with something tropical-tasting, such as pineapple lush or hummingbird cupcakes.
How to Store Hot Buttered Rum Hot Toddies
Store: This isn’t really a recipe you can keep stored or one you can prepare in advance. It’s supposed to be served warm not chilled, for one thing, and also, the butter begins to separate from the other ingredients as it cools. You could broil the pineapple a day or so ahead if you wanted, and the butter mixture up to 2 weeks in advance.
Freeze: This isn’t a suitable recipe for freezing.
Top Tips
Dry the pineapple thoroughly: This helps the sugar stick and caramelize evenly.
Use heat-proof mugs: These ensure the hot drink can be served safely without cracking.
Make the butter mix ahead: Store it in the fridge to speed things up when you’re ready to serve.
Add garnish just before serving: This keeps the pineapple and cherry looking and tasting fresh.
Hot Rum Toddy FAQs
A perfect fireside drink, the hot toddy has roots going back to 1610 in British-controlled India, where it was called ‘taddy,’ a word for fermented palm sap. By 1786, it evolved into a mix of hot water, sugar and spices. In Britain, whiskey-based toddies were popular thanks to the cold weather and access to exotic spices from India. Another theory credits Irish doctor Robert Bentley Todd, who prescribed hot brandy with water, sugar and cinnamon.
Give it a minute or 2 in the microwave, and it should heat evenly.
Historically they have been used to treat anything from chills to a sore throat, the flu, and colds. The heat is soothing and can also thin and clear mucus from a congested nose. They’re always a nice choice when the weather is cold and you want a hot drink rather than a chilled cocktail.
Spiced Pineapple Hot Buttered Rum Toddy Recipe
Spiced Pineapple Hot Buttered Rum Toddy
Equipment
- 2 Mugs 6-Ounce and Heatproof
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 Cup pineapple juice, heated through
- 2 Ounces dark rum, spiced such as Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 2 Teaspoons butterscotch schnapps, such as DeKuyper Buttershots
- ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish
- 2 maraschino cherries
- 4 pineapple wedges, ½-Inch thick
Instructions
- Preheat broiler to 500°F.
- Pat pineapple wedges dry with a paper towel. Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange wedges. Sprinkle with ½ tablespoon dark brown sugar. Rub the brown sugar onto each pineapple piece until coated evenly. Broil on the middle rack for 6 minutes or until caramelized. Allow to cool slightly.
- While the pineapple is cooling, combine softened butter, remaining dark brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Divide between two 6 ounce heat-proof mugs.
- Over butter, pour 4 ounces of the hot pineapple juice, 1 ounce spiced rum, 1 teaspoon butterscotch schnapps, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir to mix. Repeat for the other mug.
- Rest a flat sandwich pick across the mug’s rim to hold 2 stacked pieces of the caramelized pineapple. Top the pineapple with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use heat-proof mugs: These ensure the hot drink can be served safely without cracking.
Make the butter mix ahead: Store it in the fridge to speed things up when you’re ready to serve.
Add garnish just before serving: This keeps the pineapple and cherry looking and tasting fresh.
Nutrition
This spiced pineapple hot buttered rum toddy is a tropical-meets-cozy cocktail that works perfectly for winter nights or holiday gatherings. The combination of rich butter, sweet pineapple, warming spices and smooth rum makes this drink stand out in both flavor and presentation. Caramelized pineapple and cherry garnish take this holiday cocktail to the next level. It’s the kind of drink that turns heads and brings comfort (and definitely joy!) at the same time.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I loved this so much. It’s my new fav drink
My favorite drink! Can’t wait to make it again