Hot buttered rum

Courtesy of Sepia bartender Peter Vestinos, who says, "If you can make cookies, then you can make buttered rum." Make this in a large batch; it will last you the winter.

½ pound butter, softened

1 pound light brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 tablespoon vanilla

Dark rum

Hot water

Make a dough of the butter, sugar, spices and vanilla by creaming them together in a blender. Put in a container and let set overnight in the refrigerator. Dough is enough for about 30 drinks. (If you're having a big party, spread the dough on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge. Then, cut it into single-portion cubes before storing.)

Let the dough come to room temperature. Put 1 tablespoon of the dough in an Irish Coffee mug with 1½ ounces of dark rum and top with hot water.

Peter Vestinos, Sepia