Butter Rum Cocktail: traditional recipe with Navy Island

The Butter Rum is a traditional US hot cocktail perfect for warming us up at Christmas time. This delicious drink has colonial origins and at that time every household had its own family recipe. Back then, rum was believed to be good for you and was a true 'restorative' and fortifying drink. In 1862, bartender Jerry Thomas laid down two variations, both with aged rum, water, butter, brown sugar and nutmeg. The two recipes differ in the spices: in one, pepper, cinnamon and cloves are added. Over time, those with a sweet tooth have added fresh cream or vanilla ice cream. This recipe was suggested to me by Pellegrini SpA when presenting one of its excellent products: Jamaica XO Reserve rum from Navy Island. 17 January is Butter Rum Day: treat yourself, reserve your bottle now and follow my recipe!

Butter rum cocktail: ingredients (for 1 hot drink):

• 30g of XO Reserve Navy Island rum - Jamaica
• 120g hot water
• 10g butter from centrifuged cream
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• the tip of 1 teaspoon of powdered nutmeg
• the tip of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 5 peppercorns of Jamaica

N.B. = Jamaica pepper is very different from ordinary black pepper. In fact, the smell and taste are reminiscent of cloves. If you cannot find Jamaica pepper, I recommend replacing it with 4 grains of common black pepper (preferably Seichuan) and 3 cloves.

Butter rum: ingredients (for 1 boiling drink):

• 30g of XO Reserve Navy Island rum - Jamaica
• 120g hot water
• 10g butter from centrifuged cream
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• the tip of 1 teaspoon of powdered nutmeg
• the tip of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 5 peppercorns of Jamaica

N.B. = Jamaica pepper is very different from ordinary black pepper. In fact, the smell and taste are reminiscent of cloves. If you cannot find Jamaica pepper, I recommend replacing it with 4 grains of common black pepper (preferably Seichuan) and 3 cloves.

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Very easy preparation:

1. Heat water in the kettle;
2. Whip fresh cream with a whisk. Do not add sugar.
3. Put all the spices, sugar and butter in a high-sided container, then use the pestle to mix the ingredients;
4. Pour in the rum and hot water then the milk frother or cappuccino machine whips everything up for about 30 seconds.
5. Pour the mixture into a thick, clear glass, then top with a generous spoonful of fresh cream and a small piece of cinnamon.

If you want to 'lighten' this recipe, you can add 30 ml boiling water. Imagine that it has the same alcohol content as a good glass of wine.

Navy Island is a small tropical island located off the northeast coast of Jamaica, in the Port Antonio area. In the 18th century, it was used by the British Royal Navy - from which it took its name. Legend has it that in 1940 the famous Hollywood actor Errol Flynn won the island by playing the last hand of a long poker session while a good local rum was flowing. What is certain is that Errol Flynn was indeed the owner of the island until it passed into the hands of the Jamaican government, which closed it down. Flynn never built a house on the island, so much so that the only dwelling there was and still is the caretaker's thatched house. The actor lived aboard his yacht Zaca moored at Navy Island.

Navy Island is today one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and the fascination stemming from its history and legends have inspired this rum brand. Traditional Jamaican distillation takes place in small batches in pot stills.

Navy Island Jamaica Rum is a product selected and distributed by Pellegrini SpA.

Cheers 🥂

Chiara

P.S. The tin case is also beautiful: I just thought of using it as a coffee capsule holder, do you like that idea? 😍

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