Gin and Tonic vs. Hot Buttered Rum

The difference, by the numbers

They have no ingredient in common: the Gin and Tonic has gin and tonic water, the Hot Buttered Rum butter and brown sugar, dark rum and water. In parts, a Gin and Tonic is 1 gin and 2½ tonic water; a Hot Buttered Rum is 1 rum and 2½ water. By volume, the Gin and Tonic is 71% mixer and juice and 29% spirit; the Hot Buttered Rum is 69% mixer and juice, 28% spirit and 3% syrup and sugar. Different bottles, similar balance: that makes them close cousins on the ratio map.

The Hot Buttered Rum is the stronger drink in the glass (11.3% ABV against 10.7%) and holds more alcohol (1.35 standard drinks against 1.13). Calories are close (about 152 and 152), but the Gin and Tonic has more sugar (10.9 g against 2.6 g). Both are built; the Gin and Tonic is served in a highball, the Hot Buttered Rum in an Irish coffee glass.