- 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into bits
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, or to taste
- 3 whole cloves
- 1/2 cup dark rum, or to taste
- 1/4 cup apricot-flavored brandy, or to taste
- fresh lemon juice to taste
- 4 cinnamon sticks for garnish if desired
- In a saucepan stir together the brown sugar, the water, the butter, the cinnamon, the nutmeg, and the cloves and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in the rum, the brandy, and the lemon juice, divide the mixture among 4 heated mugs, and garnish each drink with a cinnamon stick.