Salty Maple Buttered Cider Recipe

Hot buttered rum is even better with warm, maple-enriched cider.

Updated February 11, 2023

Salty Maple buttered cider served in a glass mug. — Serious Eats / María del Mar Sacasa

Why It Works

Use unfiltered cider for the best flavor.
A sprinkle of Maldon salt and lemon juice balance the sweet maple.

Hot buttered rum is a staple of the cold months, and for good reason: Butter blends perfectly into the dark, rich rum for a soothing blend. In this drink, cider is added to the mix, along with that other fall standard, maple syrup, and vanilla bean. A sprinkle of Maldon salt and a hint of lemon juice round out the flavors. It's a melt-in-your mouth treat.

If sweet isn’t your favorite cocktail flavor profile, there’s a warm and fruity drink, a boulevardier riff with a dash of bitter Campari, a fizzy champagne cocktail, and a spicy cup with ginger and pepper.

November 2013

Recipe Details

Salty Maple Buttered Cider Recipe

Active 10 mins

Total 10 mins

Serves 2 servings

Ingredients

Maldon salt
Half of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon softened butter
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 vanilla bean pod, seeds scraped out
4 ounces dark rum
8 ounces apple cider (see notes)

Directions

Scatter Maldon salt on a small plate. Rub rim of 2 heatproof glasses or mugs with lemon half, then dip in salt.
Combine butter, maple syrup, and vanilla bean seeds in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine rum and cider in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Pour into prepared glasses, then top each with half of butter. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, use unfiltered fresh cider from your local orchard or farmers' market (or the refrigerated case at your grocery store).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
338	Calories
6g	Fat
27g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories	338
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g	8%
Saturated Fat 4g	18%
Cholesterol 15mg	5%
Sodium 926mg	40%
Total Carbohydrate 27g	10%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 24g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 48mg	240%
Calcium 33mg	3%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 174mg	4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.