National Hot Buttered Rum Day is perfectly placed on the calendar. That’s because whoever invented this holiday had the foresight to put it on January 17th. Its placement means that hot buttered rum can be enjoyed in the middle of one of the coldest months in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the perfect day for people to pour themselves a cup of this hot beverage and try to stay warm by the fire.

The History of Hot Buttered Rum

Let us tell you, it was difficult trying to find out the history of hot buttered rum, and it was next to impossible to locate the origin of National Hot Buttered Rum Day. While we were unsuccessful in finding the origin of the holiday, we were at least able to uncover a rudimentary history of this warm beverage, so let’s just jump right into the thick of things.

It’s believed that hot buttered rum started back in the colonial days. During the mid-17th century, the colonies began receiving imports of molasses from Jamaica. These colonists then began to use that molasses to make a rudimentary rum—a rum that they used in a wide variety of drinks, including nogs, toddies, and yes, hot buttered rum. Hot buttered rum was so popular during the winter months that it began to become associated with the Christmas season. At some point, however, a celebration of this holiday was moved to January—probably because this month is the coldest month of the year, and this drink is great for warming a person up.

Fun Facts About Rum

Okay, now that we’ve examined the origins of rum, it’s time to learn a few more facts about this alcoholic beverage. If that sounds like fun to you, then follow along with us as we drop all of this rum knowledge on you.

• Rum actually goes back to ancient China and India, where people made fermented drinks out of sugarcane. These drinks weren’t distilled, however.
• The first rum distillation happened in the 1620s with Caribbean sugarcane.
• The process of turning molasses into alcohol was discovered by plantation slaves.
• The first rum distillery in North America opened on Staten Island in 1664.
• The oldest rum company in the world is Mount Gay in Barbados, which opened in 1703.
• It’s believed that the word ‘rum’ was taken from the last syllable of the Latin word ‘Saccharum,’ a word that means sugar.
• Rum has a variety of different names, including Grog, Kill Devil, Nelson’s Blood, Navy Neaters, and Barbados Water.
• George Washington created Mount Vernon Eggnog—eggnog that’s been fortified with dark Jamaican rum.
• August is National Rum Month.
• August 16th is National Rum Day.

Observing National Hot Buttered Rum Day

Grab your favorite blanket, start a nice fire in your fireplace, and then pour yourself a hot buttered rum. Now you’re celebrating National Hot Buttered Rum Day. You can take the time to make your own, or you can buy one of the many varieties currently on the market. While you’re observing this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalHotButteredRumDay on your social media accounts to let everyone know how you’re keeping warm.