Rich, spiced and scandalously cosy – this Hot Buttered Brandy recipe is the cheeky winter upgrade to your usual hot toddy. Ready in 5 minutes!
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Hot Buttered Brandy
If central heating came in a mug, it would taste like this winter cocktail. Hot Buttered Brandy is the drink equivalent of throwing on your fluffiest jumper in cold weather, lighting a candle you don’t need, and pretending your life is together.
It’s warm, boozy, buttery, and scandalously comforting – basically, winter therapy with a side of class.
This is the brandy hot toddy all glammed up. Forget the stiff, medicinal hot toddy your grandma swore by – this sexy beverage is smooth, indulgent, and tastes like Christmas got a little tipsy.
What Even Is Hot Buttered Brandy?
Think of it as the love child of mulled wine and buttered rum – just a bit posher and infinitely easier. A proper hot buttered brandy is made by simmering water, sugar (or honey if you’re feeling fancy), and a few warming spices. Then, just when things smell irresistible, in goes your brandy of choice, followed by a luxurious blob of butter.
Warm cocktail? I know, it sounds wrong until you try it. Trust me.
And the best part? This warming drink is ridiculously easy. Like, five minutes from zero to smugly sipping. And perfect on a cold winter night. Or day.
Best Brandy to Use?
You don’t need to break into the locked cabinet of “special occasion” Cognac – any decent mid-range brandy will do. VSOP or Armagnac both make excellent choices, balancing sweetness with just enough swagger.
Feeling adventurous? Calvados (French apple brandy) adds a gorgeous fruity note, or why not try pear brandy for a change? Another good choice? Spanish brandies like Cardenal Mendoza bring deep, raisiny drama to the party.
Basically, if you wouldn’t mind sipping it neat, it’ll shine in this drink. Cheap paint-stripper types? Yeah, no. We’re trying to feel warm, not punished.
LinsFood’s Hot Buttered Brandy Recipe
I’ve updated this recipe from the original I posted in 2020. Because I’m cool like that.
- First, I reduced the water in the original recipe by half, making for a more potent drink all around, not just by abv, but also flavour and aroma.
- And secondly, I added a tiny, tiny amount of vanilla to the drink (just a drop or two), and it was like a piece to the puzzle I didn’t even know was missing. It completes the drink in a wonderful way.
For all of you who’ve tried the old recipe, you’re going to love this new and improved hot buttered brandy!
The Five-Minute Magic
Here’s all you need for one glorious drink:
- water
- brown sugar (or honey, or sweetener of your choice)
- cinnamon stick
- clove
- ginger (if you fancy a little kick)
- brandy (VSOP, Armagnac, or Calvados – your call)
- salted butter
- Lemon slice or grated nutmeg to garnish
How to make it:
- Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add brandy and vanilla.
- Stir in the butter.
- Enjoy!
Variations (Because Why Not?)
- Hot Buttered Whiskey or Bourbon: Classic, smoky, and guaranteed to make you feel like a rugged Scottish poet.
- Hot Buttered Rum: For when you’re pretending you’re on a tropical island but the rain says otherwise. Use a dark rum for a caramel hit.
- Spiced Apple Brandy Toddy: Swap half the water for apple juice or cider – trust me, it’s autumn in a glass.
- Vegan version: Coconut oil or vegan butter, maple syrup instead of honey. Still fabulous, still boozy.
- Add a slice or two of lemon or orange for a citrus hit.
Top Tips for Maximum Cosiness
- Don’t boil the brandy unless you want to drink warm regret – the alcohol will vanish faster than your willpower in December.
- Honey makes it smoother, sugar makes it punchier. Choose your fighter.
- Feel free to adjust the brandy-to-water ratio depending on how your day’s going.
- Want a creamier version? Add a splash of milk or cream and call it a Hot Buttered Brandy Latte. You’re welcome.
When to Drink It (Answer: Always)
Cold night? Make one.
Bad mood? Make one.
Aunt Carol’s talking politics again? Definitely make one.
Hot Buttered Brandy is the answer to most of life’s problems. It’s a five-minute fix that warms you to your bones and makes everything look a little softer around the edges.
Forget the warm milk, hot buttered brandy should be your go-to bedtime drink! Just tell everyone you’ve got a sore throat, sit back and enjoy!
And if you’re feeling cheeky, remember: similar drinks exist in every spirit family. There’s the classic Hot Toddy with whisky, Hot Buttered Rum, even Hot Buttered Gin if you’re feeling chaotic. Basically, pick your poison and let the butter do the magic.
ps: look out for my hot toddy recipe!
And that’s all there is to it. Shall we get our aprons on?
Images by LinsFoodies
If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
More Cocktails on LinsFood
Head on over to the Drinks page for more drink recipes, like the following:
Hot Buttered Brandy, a Warming Winter Drink
Ingredients
- 125 ml water
- 1 Tbsp light brown soft sugar (Or honey)
- 1 tsp salted butter
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 1 clove
- 2 drops vanilla extract
- 125 ml brandy
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, simmer water, sugar (or honey), cinnamon, cloves, and ginger for about 2 minutes until your kitchen smells like Santa’s workshop.
- Turn off the heat, fish out the spices, and add your brandy and vanilla and enjoy the aroma. But not too closely!
- Divide into two brandy glasses or warm mugs, drop in the butter, and stir until it melts into pure golden glory. Savour every sip.
Just made a “cheat” single serving with tiny amounts of powdered spice and 50ml brandy / water in the microwave with a pinch of salt and margarine instead of butter. Used the proper sugar though.
Tasty!!! Hit the spot.
Sounds perfect to me, James!
This drink sounds delicious, perfect for the holidays coming up! I plan to bring this to our holiday family gathering! Thanks for the recipe share!
This was so delicious! MY first time having buttered brandy- it was a hit with all my friends! (Reminded me of butter kopi!!)
Aiyoh, now I want to drink butter kopi! I’m pleased to hear you loved it, Zhenru!
It looks like an easy to make and delicious drink to have while sitting by my fireplace.
That, it certainly is, Amy.
Loved it!
I’m pleased to hear that, Jamie.
I hate to sound stupid… But one clove of what? It just says one clove.
Clove as in the spice, so just one of them. Take a look at this: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/clove-glossary
And don’t worry about it, I’m always happy to answer questions.
Marvellous! Sitting by my fire, having this right now. We don’t seem to have any brown sugar, so just made do with white. But it’s beautiful! Thank you, lovely.
A pleasure, Amanda!