1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. maple syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. allspice

pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

dark rum

to make batter, stir butter, brown sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, spices, salt in bowl until smooth, set aside batter

stir together sugar and 1/4 cup water in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan

heat over medium heat swirling pan occasionally until mixture turns dark amber and begins to smoke, about 10-15 minutes

if heat is too low, mixture may boil away all water leaving sugar clumps

with consistent heat you should see a bubbly clarified syrupy mixture that eventually browns

carefully add 6 cups water. caramel will bubble violently at first

stir until mixture is smooth and bring to a boil

add 2 oz. of dark rum to a mug and fill with hot syrup

add generous spoonful of batter and stir in to drink