When I was younger, a mysterious white plastic tub filled with a brown sugary mixture would suddenly appear in the refrigerator around December. We watched our parents fill cups with rum, hot water, and then add a scoop of the sugary concoction. My sister and I would plead for a taste, but we were always told it was for adults only. After many nights watching them enjoy this adults-only beverage, it was finally made available to us in the kid version: warm water with brown sugar (definitely less fun than the adult version would be later in life).
Now that I am (finally) an adult, I make batches of the sweet butter mixture, but with my own spin. It has become a favorite around our home. Come winter, you’ll find the white plastic tubs replaced with small jars of hot toddy mix to share and give as gifts. I use creamy unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and cardamom which gives the toddy mix a rich and warm flavor. It’s sweet enough to enjoy by the spoonful, the way I did as a child.
The original rum-based cocktail has evolved over time into something I like to call the Hot Apple Pie Toddy–made with spicy apple cider, a shot of rye or whiskey, and a generous scoop of the hot toddy mix. It has the essence of a warm slice of apple pie…but with an adult twist.
