Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

Choose The Right Spirit

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.

“While there are different eggnog recipes, most eggnog will typically contain high amounts of fat from cream and milk, and added sugar for sweetness,” said Cohn. The American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat every day to support heart health.

Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture. Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage.

Thanks to the warm spices traditionally served on top (like nutmeg, cinnamon and sometimes even cloves or star anise), eggnog also often tastes slightly spicy and perfumed, like all the lovely holiday baking ingredients.

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

How Long Does Aged Eggnog Last? Once the milk and cream have been mixed with the egg base, the amount of alcohol won't keep it shelf stable. Simply store it in the refrigerator in the glass jar for up to a week. Trust me; it won't make it long because it tastes so good!

"Tom and Jerry is a form of hot eggnog [co*cktail] that was once popular." The Tom and Jerry was invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, using brandy and rum added to eggnog and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. It is a traditional Christmastime co*cktail in the United States.

Fireball eggnog may become one of your new favorite Christmas drinks. The popular cinnamon whiskey is a fantastic base for this classic holiday co*cktail. It gives eggnog a touch of warm spice, subtle sweetness, and an inviting aroma that's sure to put everyone in a festive mood.

It's Easy to Make Eggnog Safer

The bacteria can make anyone sick, but young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says.

What happens if you drink a lot of eggnog? ›

“That's because all of these can compound into a difficult-to-digest situation, requiring digestive enzymes like lactase, sucrase and alcohol dehydrogenase to kick into high gear all at the same time. This could lead to gas, diarrhea, cramping or abdominal pain within 30 minutes to a few hours after drinking.”

Eggnog can be considered a higher potassium and phosphorus food. Due to these nutrients, this drink food may be limited for those with kidney disease who are on a low potassium, low phosphorus diet.

Homemade eggnog is thickened first with egg yolks and then given even more texture by folding in whipped egg whites at the end. Those egg whites transform what can be a fairly heavy, overly rich drink into something airier and frothier — though no less decadent.

“For a lot of people, it's the richness of the fat and flavor of the custard that gives eggnog its sensory appeal.” Some companies sell eggnog bases, which are pre-formulated mixtures of ingredients with specifically designed flavor qualities.

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.

In fact, eggnog can be substituted into most recipes that call for a good portion of milk – see what options you like best! Add it to beverages: Surely, if you're an eggnog fan, you've tried Starbucks' featured holiday latte.

Most storebought eggnogs are about the same consistency as buttermilk, which makes it very easy to substitute one for the other to give a cake (for instance) some holiday flavor. When substituting eggnog for regular milk, you may need to add in a few additional tablespoons because it is thicker.

And that list is forgiving. Basically eggnog, while fatty, isn't quite creamy enough to hold peaks on its own. That means you'll need about 1/2 cup eggnog for every cup of heavy cream. Even that will change slightly depending on the consistency of your nog.

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.