This creamy and rich Eggnog recipe is the perfect way to indulge in the cozy flavors of the season. Made with a delightful blend of milk, cream, eggs, and warm spices, our Eggnog recipe captures the festive essence of this beloved holiday tradition.
Easy to make and customizable to suit different preferences, this Eggnog recipe is a versatile and delicious treat that will warm your heart and delight your taste buds.
History of Eggnog
Eggnog has an interesting history as it's roots are in England, however, when it was transported to the New Land of North America it became particularly popular thanks to the amount flowed with milk, it was embraced by the land of America and the twist of adding rum instead of wine (a solid improvement I can only imagine) making this drink synonymous with America.
Let's not get into where the name comes from as that's an entirely different issue, but click here for a nice read when you''ve filled your glass with this perfectly creamy drink.
Why you'll love this
Liquid custard
Any lover of custard will love Eggnog for the creamy richness thanks to the richness from the egg yolks, milk and cream.
Spiced
One reason this drink is likely so popular over the holidays is the fact it is spiced so warms you up, even when served cold.
How to prepare Eggnog
- Spiced milk: The milk and spices are placed into a saucepan until a light simmer forms.
- Whip the yolks and sugar: Whip the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Ladleful of milk: Add the milk into the eggs a ladleful at a time and combine.
- Double boiler: Place the bowl with the mixture over a double boiler and stir, heat until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Cool: Remove and allow to cool.
- Alcohol time: Add the remaining ingredients to the mixture along with the brandy and stiry.
- Chill: Refrigerate preferably overnight.
- Serve: Pour into a serving glass and enjoy!
Ingredients and substitutions for Eggnog
- Egg yolks: The egg yolks add fat and flavor to our dish and help create the base of our custard so it is not recommended to leave them out, although you could substititute with custard powder if you cannot eat eggs.
- Milk: Whole milk was used here for the richness and flavor, you could substitute with a creamy dairy free milk in it's place.
- Sugar: Superfine or caster sugar was used here to create a light sweetness to our eggnog without adding any further flavor.
- Cream: If you love a thick Eggnog, like us, then you'll likely want to reach for heavy cream to give this the optimal richness, if you prefer a lighter eggnog than simply add pouring cream to yours.
- Brandy: The most traditional liquor to eggnog is Brandy, however, bourbon or dark rum are also used so make this your own with which of these two you prefer.
- Spices: Without the spices our eggnog would have a really shallow flavor - what gives this it's signature taste is the depth provided by the spices that infuse this tasty drink. You could substitute with ground cloves, if that is all you have on hand.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment needed to make this
Saucepan: A small saucepan is best here because you don’t need much to create this!
Whisk: This will help you to create a smooth custard.
Mixing bowl: To whisk up the base of your custard.
FAQ's for the best Eggnog
How do you add hot milk to eggs without curdling the eggs?
Adding the hot milk in small amounts and stirring immediately helps combine the mixture without cooking the eggs which would be an unfortunate result if the hot milk was added in one go.
What is the best way to thin out my eggnog?
The thickness of eggnog is both loved and loathed depending on your personal preferences. So you could absolutely thin out yours by using pouring cream and adding slightly more milk until you reach your desired thickness. This will result in a weaker brandy flavor, however, you could also thin out by using adding a little more brandy.
More winter drinks you'll enjoy
Champurrado – Thick Mexican Hot Chocolate
How to make Eggnog:
Place the milk, cloves, vanilla extract and cinnamon in a saucepan over low heat until the milk begins to simmer.
Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl until pale and fluffy.
Whisk a ladleful of the hot milk into the pale eggs and stir to combine.
Adding a further ladleful at a time and stirring, until all the milk has been combined.
Pour enough boiled water into your saucepan for the heatproof bowl to sit within, without touching the water.
Place the saucepan on medium heat and set the heatproof bowl with the milk and egg mixture within.
Stir constantly until the mixture is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon (approximately 10 minutes).
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool fully for an hour.
Discard the cloves and pour in the brandy, cream, vanilla extract and nutmeg stirring until well mixed.
This is best served chilled after allowing the flavors to infuse overnight.
Serve.
Eggnog
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Drinks
Description
The smooth flavor of Eggnog should not just be saved for the holiday season, in fact, because this is best served chilled, it's a great drink for the hotter season. The best past of this is that it comes together fast enough to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
500 milliliters / 2 cups whole milk
4 cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 egg yolks, room temperature
100 grams / ½ cup superfine/caster sugar
125 milliliters / ½ cup brandy
500 milliliters / 2 cups cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Place the milk, cloves, vanilla extract and cinnamon in a saucepan over low heat until the milk begins to simmer.
- Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl until pale and fluffy.
- Adding a further ladleful at a time and stirring, until all the milk has been combined.
- Pour enough boiled water into your saucepan for the heatproof bowl to sit within, without touching the water.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat and set the heatproof bowl with the milk and egg mixture within.
- Stir constantly until the mixture is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon (approximately 10 minutes).
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool fully for an hour.
- Discard the cloves and pour in the brandy, cream, vanilla extract and nutmeg stirring until well mixed.
- This is best served chilled after allowing the flavors to infuse overnight.
- Serve.
Notes
Adapted from Baking = Love
Nutrition
- Calories: 395 calories per serve
Keywords: festive drinks, creamy drinks
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