Decorating For The Holidays And Some Brown Butter Spiced Ale
Decorated Fireplace Mantle
I am running behind this year, too much happening on many fronts but I decided I better start decorating. I keep it pretty simple, easily put up and taken down. Icicle lights in the windows with antique beaded wreaths, greenery and some lights and decorations on my mantles. No tree, too much for one person to deal with, putting up and taking down, needles everywhere it’s not for me. There is nothing like sitting in your home, admiring the beautiful lights and having a hot holiday beverage preferably with some alcohol to soothe the frayed nerves.
I plan on featuring some drinks both alcoholic and not that can be enjoyed during this festive time of year. I love opening a bottle of wine or champagne but sometimes you want something a bit different. I love hot toddy’s and hot buttered rum. This drink is my take on a hot buttered rum using ale, I entered this drink in a food 52 contest a while back and it was picked as a CP (community pick) It’s a bit sweet, a bit bitter (from the ale) and spicy and buttery, really different and delicious.
My next post will be eggnog, my absolute favorite holiday drink!!
Photo by James Ransom for Food52
Brown Butter Spiced Ale
Serves 2
- 12 ounces ale of your choice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, browned
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- splashes brandy (about 1 tablespoon) per glass
- 1 Cinnamon stick for garnish
- Add butter to small saucepan and melt on medium heat. Cook until butter becomes a light brown and has a slightly nutty smell (approximately 3 minutes). Reduce heat to low and add brown sugar and spices — cook until brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is paste-like. Scrape into small bowl or ramekin and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Add the ale to the same saucepan and heat on medium until hot. Spoon two tablespoonds of the spiced butter mixture in serving glass, pour hot ale into glass and add a splash of brandy (about 1 or 2 tablespoons) and stir. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
apuginthekitchen 
This is fascinating! Congratulations!
Thank you, I like to experiment with different types of ales, it’s different definitely.
I’ve never had a hot toddy! It sure sounds delicious with bribe sugar in it. I’m not a brandy or liquor drinker…don’t like the taste at all, but I LOVE wine and champagne….mmmmmm. The drink looks so pretty. I don’t blame you…when I was single, I didn’t do decorations. It is a lot. Keeping it simple can still be enjoyed!
I love a hot toddy, the sweet/bitter contrast is nice in this drink. Yes, keeping it simple with the decorations is the way to go. I love having a tree, a big one but putting it up by myself and taking it down is way too much. Thanks so much.
Mm-mmm… I love the festive seasonings in this hot toddy. And it’s almost happy hour over here in Berlin. Hmmmm…. Beautiful decorations, too! Are those pugs in the pictures? 🙂
Yes, the warm seasonings in the ale and the splash of cognac or brandy is really nice. Those are pugs in the little paintings. Got them on Etsy, a woman paints pugs, she did a black and fawn and Frida Kahlo is holding the black pug. I told her Frida is my favorite artist so she incorporated her in the painting.Thank you so much.
So nice to have original art with a personal touch in your home like that. And I’m looking forward to more of your holiday drink ideas.Have a cozy, festive, happy weekend.
Thank you, you too. We are expecting snow tomorrow so it will be a good day to stay indoors and cook!
I know the feeling. I’m feeling so behind this year too – just so many things going on right now. I’m envious of the snow on the way for you! Lynda (TasteFood) and her husband are coming to dinner tomorrow night, and this looks like a perfect drink to offer!
How nice that you will see Lynda. I just can’t get ahead. Tomorrow will be snowed in so plan on getting some baking out of the way. Have fun with dinner and thank you.
So interesting! Very creative! 🙂 Shanna
Thank you Shanna, it can be an acquired taste.
I am sure that it is DELICIOUS. You can’t really argue with these flavors. Or anything festive and boozy. At least I won’t. 😉 Enjoy your weekend.
Sounds divine. I have never had buttered rum but I like (because of less ABV) the idea of buttered spiced ale. One for me try!
Oh buttered rum is lovely, the alcohol content is definitely less with the ale and I really like it, it’s a contrast in flavors.
Your mantle looks very pretty. I love hot alcoholic drinks. Whenever I think I’m getting a cold I make myself a hot toddy with rum. It’s almost worth having a cold for 😉 Your combination sounds very original and interesting. – I love the spices…
It certainly is different, takes some getting used to I think. I love hot buttered rum, , it really is good for what ails you! Thank you.
What a lovely idea to feature some festive drinks Suzanne! With my parents coming to stay for Christmas, I’ll definitely be looking out for new ideas like this to try! Cheers, Margot
How nice Margot, wish I could see my Mom but I can’t travel because of the pugs and she won’t travel. I love this time of year! Thanks so much.
Oh, that’s really tough for you both Suzanne. I hope you get to have lots of catch-ups through Skype or something similar!
Thanks my Mom doesn’t use a computer either, she does have a phone, LOL so we talk often.
No tree for me this year either. First year without one. But I also have lights up, and candals, and my owl twig tree. Your mantle looks beautiful and yes to the festive drinks! Looking forward to your eggnog post. 😉
This is my 2nd year without a tree and although I miss seeing the tree in my house I feel liberated from the drudgery. I am going to finish decorating the house, make it as festive as I can. Thank you!
okay – no more typing on my phone. Candles. NOT candals. Whatever they are!
Ha! Spell check drives me nuts. I am on my phone now and it’s hard to monitor yourself sometimes.
You’ll have to have one for me, as I don’t drink. Although, if this darned cold comes back for the fourth time I’m going for the hot toddies! Even if I don’t like whiskey. Hot toddies really can help with getting a good nights sleep. And, like yourself, no tree for me this year either. Just lots of really nice food 🙂
I can’t seem to shake this cold or whatever it is that I have either, totally sucks. Yes hot toddies really help you to go to sleep and relax, I find them almost essential when I am sick, I don’t like whiskey either. I’m doing a lot of baking, cookies, loafs etc… Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Hi Suzanne, Your mantle is lovely! I’m awaiting the eggnog. Cheers!
Snow day today, making eggnog and baking cookies. Thank you!
Beautifully decorated, enjoy the festivities 🙂
Thank you so much and you enjoy the holidays also!
What a lovely mantelpiece and delicious drink! I shall be waiting for the eggnog! Cheers!
Thank you , yes egg nog soon. I have to work on it because I don’t use a recipe. Must test it actually measuring.
Sounds like a delicious drink!
Thank you so much.
Lovely decorations! I’m in the same spot and definitely running behind, hoping the next week I’m able to catch up and let the holidays begin! Good luck!
I am behind almost every year, it seems like Christmas just sneaks up on us. Good luck to you too as the countdown begins. Thanks so much!
I love you spiced ale, and only wish I could raise a glass along with you in front of the fireplace in your beautiful living room, snuggling with some pugs. So from a distance, cheers to a wonderful Christmas, Suzanne!
Oh it would be wonderful, one day we shall. For now from a distance.
Congrats! You’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award for new bloggers. For more information, please see my blog post at http://thethingsivemade.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/the-things-ive-made-has-been-nominated-for-a-liebster-award/
Thank you so very much, I am honored to accept the award. I very much appreciate it!
nummy nummy nummy! Love a hot buttered rum and this looks a version of that. Congrats on the community pick 🙂 And can’t wait to see your eggnog. Woohoo!
It is a take on a hut buttered rum, which I love!! Working on the egg nog. Thanks so much Liz!
ciao! can feel the warmth from the ale and your home…so special!
thebestdressup
Thank you so much.
I haven’t had a drink like this since my grandfather was alive. He used to make Hot Toddy’s for holiday gatherings. Thanks for the memory and the recipe! Celeste 🙂
Thank you so much, hot toddy’s are nostalgic for me also. Happy Holidays!
Suzanne, your fireplace is gorgeous and your decorations so so pretty! 🙂
Thank you so much!
What a festive drink and a simple and gorgeous mantle. Love the pug paintings!
Thank you Azita, I really like simple. I love those pug paintings too, they are very special.
Before reading the other comments I was sure they were portraits of each of your little special girls with each of your special pugs! The unibrow should have clued me in though, ha ha (ps Frida’s one of my faves too)
It is portraits of Izzy and Nando and because I am so mesmerized by Frida she painted her holding Nando. I love that.