This eggnog recipe has been a Christmas tradition in our family for several years. What I love about this recipe is that it is a very kid-friendly eggnog version, but is also delicious with or without the addition of alcohol.
It comes out as thick or as thin as you like. It has a smooth creamy flavor that is similar to ice cream. We use it for the kids, but add a little liquor to it and it is ready to go for the adults!
Because the eggs are cooked in this recipe, it will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. With the addition of liquor, it should last for up to a week.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs yolks
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups half n half
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 cloves
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- whipped topping
- (for the adult version) 3/4 cup of Captain Morgans or 1 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
Instructions:
Step 1 – Separate the egg yolks from the whites. For this recipe, I have found that most kids prefer the eggnog without the whites included, but if you want to have traditional eggnog, cover the whites and place them in the fridge for later.
Step 2 – Whip the egg yolks and sugar together until well blended and the mix appears fluffy and a light yellow color.
Step 3 – Combine milk, half n half, cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat on a low setting, stirring frequently, bringing slowly to a light boil.
Step 4 – Remove cloves and stir in nutmeg.
Step 5 – Turn off heat on milk mixture. Gradually add the milk to the egg mixture, 1 cup at a time, while constantly whisking. Continue until all milk mixture has been incorporated into egg mixture.
Step 6 – Return eggnog to the saucepan and heat on the lowest setting. Stir constantly for 4-5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL.
Step 7 – Set eggnog aside and allow to cool for about 1 hr. (Optional) For an adult version, add in either 3/4 cup of Captain Morgans for traditional eggnog or add in 1 cup of Bailey’s Irish Cream to maintain more of the current flavor.
Step 8 – Place eggnog in fridge and allow to rest for 24 hrs.
Step 9 – (optional) If desired, beat the egg whites until a stiff peak is reached. Gently fold into eggnog mix until well incorporated.
Step 10 – Dispense into glasses and top with whipped topping. Garnish with nutmeg and a cinnamon stick to dress things up. (FYI – Star Anise is added for photo staging only).
Troubleshooting Eggnog:
Thickness:
The final thickness of the eggnog will depend on several things – how much you allow it to thicken on the stove, how much liquor is added after the fact, and whether you choose to add in the egg whites.
If making without any additions, try to get the thickness as close as you want the final outcome before removing it from the stove.
If you plan to add in liquor, keep in mind that this will thin out the mix. Adding in the egg whites will help to re-thicken the final drink.
Curdled Eggs:
If your eggs curdle after adding them to the milk mixture, this means that the milk was added in too fast or the milk was too hot. It is important to go slow with the tempering.
If this occurs, you can attempt to save your eggnog by placing it in a blender and blending at high speed. This will break up the curdled portions and often allow you to continue.
More holiday posts that you may like:
Make these adorable Christmas angels from recycled water bottles!
Wickedly delicious black apples for Halloween!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 eggs yolks
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups half n half
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 cloves
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- whipped topping
Instructions
- Blend together egg yolks and sugar until fluffy and soft yellow.
- Combine milk, half-n-half, and spices in a sauce pan. Heat on lowest setting until a soft boil is reached.
- Remove cloves, then very slowly dispense liquids into eggs while constantly whisking.
- Return eggnog to sauce pan and heat on lowest settings until mixture thickens. Do not allow mixture to boil.
- (Optional) Add 3/4 cup of Captain Morgan or 1 Cup of Bailey's irish Cream.
- Chill for 24 hrs. Then, garnish and serve.
FAQs
When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.
What is a good substitute for eggnog? ›
If you are really looking to knock out some calories, consider purchasing soy nog or rice nog. These alternatives to regular eggnog contain less fat and nearly half the calories of regular store-bought eggnog. Vanilla chai tea is also a great holiday alternative for those with non-dairy diets.
What can I mix with store bought eggnog? ›
While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.
Can minors drink eggnog? ›
“According to the American Heart Association, kids ages 2-18 should have less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day,” says Silverman. “Eggnog has a good amount of sugar in the drink that could bump a kid's intake for the day. The fat can also be high if a large dose of cream is part of the recipe.”
Is it safe to age eggnog? ›
Can Eggnog Be Aged? Yes, when the alcohol content is 20% of the egg and sugar mixture, it becomes sterile and can sit in cool storage on a shelf for up to a year. Usually, I use the egg base and make my eggnog before the three-week mark (you can make it up to a year in advance!).
How long does homemade eggnog last? ›
Cover and refrigerate.
The more liquor you add, the longer it will keep — non-alcoholic eggnog should be consumed within 1 day; eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup of liquor will keep for several days; and eggnog with 1 1/2 cups of liquor will keep for several weeks and continue aging and thickening quite nicely.
Why is eggnog healthy? ›
Health Benefits of Eggnog
“While eggnog is not necessarily a 'health food', there are nutritional benefits coming from milk and cream, which contain protein and essential vitamins including calcium, and vitamins A, D, E and K,” Ariel Rasabi Cohn, MS, RD, LDN, founder of Whole Health Nutrition, LLC, told Health.
What makes eggnog so addictive? ›
The role of sugar in eggnog
Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.
Why do they stop selling eggnog? ›
Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.
What is the old name for eggnog? ›
"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy.
Use pasteurized eggs for eggnog
Eggnog may be safely made at home by using whole, liquid or pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs are found next to regular eggs at the store. Egg substitutes can also be used. These products have also been pasteurized.
What alcohol is best in egg nog? ›
Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.
How much alcohol does eggnog have? ›
I just finished filling up a 12 cup container to the brim with Alton Brown's aged eggnog recipe. The recipe includes 3 cups of mixed alcohol that all have 40% ABV. So the total alcohol amount should be 40% of 3 cups = 1.2 cups of alcohol in a volume of 12 cups, or 10% ABV.
Does eggnog have to be alcoholic? ›
Non-alcoholic eggnog is still eggnog, though, so feel free to mix up a liquor-free batch for the whole family to enjoy. Besides, you can always add the booze at the end.
Is most eggnog alcoholic? ›
Both homemade and commercial eggnogs are made in alcohol-free versions and recipes in which alcoholic beverages, generally brown, aged spirits such as bourbon, brandy or rum are added during preparation or directly to the cup after the nog is poured.
Does eggnog thicken as it ages? ›
Boozy eggnog will also continue to thicken in the fridge as it ages.
Why is aged eggnog better? ›
The idea? Make a batch of eggnog and let it age for at least three weeks in the refrigerator before drinking. The rest period supposedly drives off eggy taste while giving the other flavors a chance to meld. At the same time, the alcohol has a chance to kill any potential pathogens in the mix.
