I am proud to announce I am officially embracing the art of Danish hygge. The psychological embrace of cozying up and enjoying the dark, cold weather with fuzzy socks, a fire, and some soothing music can be accompanied by only one more necessity: hot buttered rum.

I’d heard of this for years, but had never ventured toward making it myself. I was in the throes of the whiskey craze of my early twenties and couldn’t be bothered by rum. Now, in my wise late twenties, I’ve learned a thing or two about a thing or two. Namely, my appreciation for hot beverages and rum. The union was simply unavoidable. Dark, aged rum is whisked with a spiced compound butter and hot water for an easy treat perfect for sharing… or not. I’ve been making larger batches and storing it in the fridge for up to a few weeks for visits from friends or to warm me up after particularly cold adventures to the grocery store.

Now that Christmas has come and gone, I’ve be looking for the perfect way to enjoy the company of my family. Here’s the plan, tempt them with football (that’s the kind of family we are) and then keep them from leaving with this tasty, cozy drink. Turns out, it pairs perfectly with Christmas leftovers and Chinese takeout alike.

Hot Buttered Rum
Serves 16

• 1 pound butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 blast each Addition Cinnamon and Cardamom tinctures
• Aged rum
• Fresh nutmeg for garnish

In a stand mixer or in a medium bowl, beat softened butter until light and fluffy. Mix in spices, salt, and tinctures. If storing, keep in an airtight container for up to one month.

For one hot buttered rum:

Add two heaping tablespoons of butter mixture to a mug with 1.5 ounces of aged rum. Whisk in hot water and grate fresh nutmeg over the mug. Serve and enjoy immediately.

If you’re ringing in the New Year with your closest friends and family, you’ll likely need a few nibbles and bubbles to help with the festivities. Here are a few quick ideas perfect for pairing and sharing on the last night of 2015:

Harbison

This lovely, little cheese comes to us from Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont. Harbison is a small-format, soft-ripened cheese wrapped in tree bark pulled from the woods surrounding Jasper Hill. The result is a creamy, sweet paste with notes of wood and herbs. Cut the top rind off and serve with a spoon at your party; scooping out this paste is a transcendent experience. PairHarbison with crackers, fruit, and champagne.

Luxardo

Take your champagne game up a notch this year with one simple addition. Drizzle a 1/2 teaspoon of Luxardo syrup into champagne flutes, top with sparkling wine, and garnish with a Luxardo cherry. Boom. Bubbly game on point.

Robiola

Is it obvious yet that I love soft-ripened cheeses and sparkling wine together? If not, let me spell it out: I LOVE SOFT-RIPENED CHEESE WITH SPARKLING WINE.

From the same Piemontese producers who brings us Rocchetta and La Tur comes a sweet, mushroomy due latte cheese called Robiola Bosina. Cow and sheep’s milks are blended to form a thin square of soft-ripened cheese. The soft rind gives way to a creamy, oozy paste that coats the mouth. Pair with Prosecco for the ultimate Italian-inspired New Year.

Chocolate

Does there really have to be a reason for eating chocolate? The answer is no.

I love a few nibbles of really exceptional chocolate once the New Year’s toast is over. Why not make your chocolate local? Our Utah Dark Chocolate Collection has some of our favorite locally-made bars for your nibbling pleasure. Want a little more? Stop by one of our locations for a few samples to help you decide on your own curated selection of fine artisan chocolate.

Lentils

Italians will traditionally eat lentils cooked with pancetta and sage and topped with cotechino on New Year’s Eve. The small round shape of both the lentils and cotechino signify wealth to Italians. Plus, it’s an incredibly tasty way to welcome 2016.

Bitters

Here’s another way to raise the bar with your average sparkling wine this year. Have fun mixing bitters and other ingredients for festive sparkling wine cocktails. Not sure where to start? Our Essential Bitters Collection will get you going with our most popular, coveted, and easy-to-use bitters.

Local Collection

Whether you need a hostess gift, a quick party pack, or tried and true treats, we’ve got ready-made collections to get your party started. Choose from any of our gift collections to give to your favorite hostess or as a starter pack for your own party. You can’t go wrong with the goodies we’ve put together for you.

There you have it, friends. I hope you’ve all had a marvelous 2015, and I hope 2016 is even better—and tastier!