Eggnog Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Erik Lombardo

August3,2021

5

2 Ratings

  • Prep time 20 minutes
  • Serves 1

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

This recipe is for a single glass of eggnog, but feel free to batch it up for a party, though you might want to invest in an immersion blender to give your shaking arm a rest if you’re serving for more than a couple of guests. —Erik Lombardo

Test Kitchen Notes

Ah, the holidays have arrived, one of the best seasons of the year, and it's the perfect time to get out your most well-loved and venerated eggnog recipe (aka, this one!). The combination of alcohol, cream, sugar, and raw egg certainly may be controversial to some, but for eggnog traditionalists, no drink epitomizes the holiday season more than this one. It's rich, preferably chilled (you can also serve at room temperature), and with the ground spices on top, it will warm the co*ckles of anyone's heart. You can also easily make a whole batch of this eggnog if you so desire. The ingredients are simple and easy enough to find that this co*cktail will soon become a go-to whenever wintertime rolls around. If you're concerned about the raw egg white, try to track down pasteurized eggs. It's also a great make-ahead drink, as the eggnog gets better as it chills, ideally for up to 24 hours.

Not sure how to make simple syrup? Follow this recipe, then check out these optional flavorings to really put your eggnog over the top! Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove form the heat. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Refrigerate and chill completely before using. If you are flavoring the syrup, let the mixture infuse for 24 hours before straining and using. Super easy and you'll constantly use this formula whenever a co*cktail recipe calls for some simple syrup. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 2 ouncesrum, brandy, and/or bourbon
  • 3/4 ouncecream
  • 3/4 ouncesugar syrup
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • Fresh nutmeg and cinnamon, for serving
Directions
  1. In a shaker, vigorously shake the rum, cream, syrup, and egg yolk for 10 seconds.
  2. Add ice to the shaker and shake again. Strain into a rocks glass and grate the nutmeg and cinnamon over the top.

Tags:

  • co*cktail
  • Egg Nog
  • American
  • Brandy
  • Rum
  • Alcohol
  • Egg
  • Bourbon
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Melissa Case

  • Sietske van Schaik

  • Erik Lombardo

  • Seola

Popular on Food52

9 Reviews

Seola December 10, 2013

What if any is the health concern of a raw egg yolk - salmonella?

Melissa C. December 10, 2013

"Don’t worry too much about safety. As long as your brew contains at least 20 percent alcohol and is stored below 40°F for at least a month, any microbial nasties that might haunt your innards should be nice and dead." http://mentalfloss.com/article/31813/alton-brown-history-eggnog

Sietske V. December 26, 2013

Buy good eggs, pasteurized if you must.

I have my own chickens, no need to worry about Salmonella. Salmonella is a disease generally caused by too many chickens in a small space: cheap eggs. Organic will usually be safer.

Editorwizard December 7, 2013

Perhaps you meant 3 to 4 oz. of cream (as opposed to 3/4 oz. cream)? Personally, I like the Puerto Rican eggnog you referred to, which is a 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 c. of white rum with natural coconut flavor, 5 egg yolks and 3/4 t. cinnamon. Blend together and refrigerate until cold.

Erik L. December 7, 2013

Nope! 3/4 oz of cream for this recipe, try it and I think you'll find it's quite balanced. I love Coquito too, though the recipe I use is :
2 jumbo eggs
3 jumbo egg yolks
One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
One 15-ounce can cream of coconut (Coco López or other)
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 - 2 cups light rum
Blend it all together in a blender and get ready for la noche buena!

AnnaChris December 5, 2013

I love that this is a one person serving but are those measurements right? I don't normally "think" in ounces but these seem off...

TheSlyRaven December 5, 2013

It would make for a 4.5 fluid ounce drink. Which is a standard "rocks glass" sized co*cktail. Unless the recipe means ounces by weight... which is kind of absurd.

Erik L. December 5, 2013

Yup, the recipe is right on, don't forget that egg yolks gain volume with a vigorous shake, becoming airy and fluffy which gives this co*cktail the signature richness.

Muse December 5, 2013

How clever that your recipe is for only one glass...I love the idea! Peace, Light and Love.

Eggnog  Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

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.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. 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.

What can I add to eggnog to make it taste better? ›

Drizzle a little chocolate sauce into the shaker with the eggnog for a chocolate eggnog. Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or turn your eggnog into an iced eggnog latte by pouring a shot of espresso into the shaker. Either way, you'll feel the spirit of the holidays!

Why is my homemade eggnog so thick? ›

The distinct flavors of egg, cream, and liquor meld together even after just a day or two in the fridge, making a smoother, more balanced cup of nog. The proteins in the eggs also start to thicken, giving eggnog its signature spoon-coating thickness.

Should eggnog be served hot or cold? ›

Is Eggnog Served Hot or Cold? Eggnog is traditionally served as a punch at parties, and as such, is usually chilled or room temperature. However, warmed eggnog is also a delightful treat. In this case, we say "to each your own!" Enjoy your eggnog however you like it.

What's a good brandy to mix with eggnog? ›

For the brandy eggnog, Korbel VS was the brand of choice, and it produced a perfectly balanced drink. This eggnog had a nice sweetness in every sip, which paired admirably with the creamy egg base.

What makes eggnog unhealthy? ›

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

Why does my stomach hurt after drinking eggnog? ›

Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

Is it OK to drink eggnog everyday? ›

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.

How to jazz up egg nog? ›

Eggnog Bar
  1. Eggnog.
  2. Spirits: rum, bourbon, whiskey, and/or brandy.
  3. Whipped cream.
  4. Syrup: caramel and/or chocolate.
  5. Spices: nutmeg, cinnamon (sticks and ground), and/or pumpkin spice.
  6. Crushed gingersnap cookies or red-hot candies, or cinnamon sugar for rimming glasses (optional)
Dec 6, 2023

Why does store-bought eggnog taste different? ›

There are a couple of reasons that store-bought 'nog will never taste as good as home made. First off, homemade eggnog gets its thickness and flavor from real eggs, but compared to other ingredients in commercial eggnog, eggs are expensive.

How to make store-bought eggs nog better? ›

Bonus Additions for Store-Bought Eggnog
  1. nutmeg.
  2. cloves.
  3. cinnamon.
  4. pumpkin pie spice.
  5. apple pie spice.
  6. pure vanilla extract.
  7. almond extract.
  8. coffee.
Apr 3, 2022

What alcohol is good in eggnog? ›

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.

How long does eggnog last in the fridge? ›

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.

Why is eggnog so expensive? ›

Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.

Is Crown Royal good in eggnog? ›

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.

What kind of alcohol is Southern Comfort? ›

Southern Comfort (often abbreviated SoCo) is an American, naturally fruit-flavored, whiskey liqueur with fruit and spice accents. The brand was created by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron in New Orleans in 1874, using whiskey as the base spirit. Whiskey was replaced by a neutral spirit under the ownership of Brown–Forman.

Does eggnog curdle with alcohol? ›

Though rare, there is the potential that eggnog will curdle when it's mixed with alcohol. That's typically due to too much acid interacting with the dairy.

Does vodka go well with eggnog? ›

The eggnog white russian co*cktail is perfect for the holiday season! Coffee liqueur mixed with vanilla vodka and eggnog and topped with freshly grated nutmeg is the perfect treat and oh-so festive!

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