Easy Eggnog Recipe For The Holidays (2024)

FAQs

What is the very best alcohol to put in 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.

(What's the difference between eggnog and Holiday Nog? Eggnog must have a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight; Holiday Nog, which Spangler called a flavored milk product, has 2 percent butterfat and less than 1 percent egg yolk by weight.)

A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy. We grew up with eggnog, the kind you buy in a carton, and every Christmas holiday we kids drank up as much of it as we could.

Eggnog is usually served cold, but you may choose to heat it, especially if you're coming in from making snowmen or ice skating. And you can spike eggnog with a splash of brandy, rum or your spirit of choice, but it's also delicious simply spiked with vanilla or cinnamon.

Made with eggs, sugar, spices, and of course, whiskey, this rich and creamy beverage is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. To make Wigle's spiked eggnog, we recommend using a good quality whiskey like Yule Tidings but other whiskeys will be equally delicious. Wigle PA Bourbon eggnog is also highly recommended!

"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.

It was thought that the use of “luxury” ingredients such as cream and alcohol would invite prosperity into the household for the coming year. In most households today, a cup of eggnog ushers in the good cheer of the holiday more so than any belief in impending wealth.

Typically made around Christmastime, the Tom and Jerry is a classic co*cktail that looks and tastes a lot like eggnog. Its exact origins are unclear, but there's evidence to suggest that the Cognac and rum-spiked drink's roots date back to England in the 19th century.

Eggs, milk, and alcohol were expensive in early Britain. Food historian Frederick Opie notes that the aristocracy used to drink their eggnog warm during the cold weather, and added spices and alcohol like brandy and sherry to preserve it.

Is eggnog healthy? ›

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

As discussed in the recent aged eggnog piece, alcohol is nature's preservative, allowing eggnog to keep indefinitely. Alas, most of these commercial brand nogs aren't just egg-free, they're also booze-free.

Brandy: Makes the Most Traditional Eggnog

For the most traditional holiday experience, reach for brandy (specifically, Cognac) to spike your 'nog. It's important to note, though, that both brandy and eggnog are quite sweet.

It can be served hot or cold, with alcohol or without, in dainty punch cups or in substantial mugs. Eggs in the nog can be cooked to a safe temperature or incorporated raw.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

Avoid white rum because it's too light and transparent. Instead, choose a gold or aged rum. For a fun twist similar to rye whiskey, go with spiced rum. For the best of both classics, pour both brandy and rum, splitting them equally in the eggnog.

The amount of alcohol put in eggnog has no written rule, but it tastes best with 1 part spirit for every 5 parts eggnog. The alcohol takes away the rich and sweet taste of the eggnog, so if you're looking for a more bitter drink you can add extra alcohol.

Egg-cellent Eggnog Tips

Rum – I like dark rum in eggnog (Myers's is what I usually buy), but spiced rum would also be fabulous. Whiskey – I typically use Crown Royal, but use what you like or keep on hand.