entertaining : drinks : apple cider : hot spiced cider + buttered rum

Sighted in various sources; here's one.

6 C apple cider
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3 sticks cinnamon
6 tbsp butter (butter only, not margarine)
6 tbsp packed brown sugar
3/4 C rum

Heat cider, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon to boiling in a 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
Strain cider mixture to remove cloves and cinnamon.
For each serving, place 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 2 tbsp rum (or more...) in mug. Fill with hot cider.

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This was a prospective endeavor for tonight, but we couldn't rustle up any company with whom to enjoy it, so it is being reserved for some evening this week or next weekend when we can assemble a gaggle and include pumpkin-carving, perhaps.

I've seen and tried other recipes which called for the rum to be added before ladling out individual servings, but I like this method better because it will allow each guest to control the amount of alcohol in their mug.