Eggnog
Egg yolks, cream, milk, brandy and rum, chilled and served with nutmeg. Makes eight small glasses.
- Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Glass
- Mug
- Strength
- 1.3 UK units
How to make Eggnog
- Beat the yolks. Whisk the yolks with the sugar in a large bowl for 2 to 3 minutes, until pale, thick and the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the dairy and spirits. Whisk in the milk, then the cream, then the brandy and rum. The mixture should be smooth and a pale gold.
- Fold in the whites. Whisk the whites to soft peaks, about 2 minutes, then fold them in gently. This gives a lighter, foamier nog.
- Chill. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. Whisk or stir before serving.
- Serve. Ladle into small glasses and grate nutmeg over the top.
- Glass
- MugNo mug? Small wine glasses or teacups.
- Ice
- No ice
- Garnish
- Freshly grated nutmegOr: A cinnamon stick in each glass.
What you need to make Eggnog
Kit
Whisk or shakerTo loosen cream until it just pours.
JiggerA double-ended measure, usually 25 ml and 50 ml.
LadleFor serving from the pan.
Bottles we'd use
- BrandyA decent VS brandy works. Save the Cognac for sipping.Find it on Amazon
- Aged rumSomething smooth with a little vanilla, such as Appleton Estate Signature.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Eggnog story
Eggnog grew out of the old British posset, a hot drink of milk curdled with wine or ale, and was later made with eggs, cream and spirits. Where the name comes from is not settled. Some say it comes from a small wooden cup called a noggin, others point to the word grog. It crossed to America, where rum and then brandy made it a Christmas fixture.
The mix of brandy and rum is what gives it depth: brandy for warmth, rum for sweetness. It improves after a night in the fridge, when the flavours settle. Keep the nutmeg freshly grated, as it fades fast once ground.
Eggnog: your questions answered
What is in Eggnog?
Eggnog is made with 4 eggs, 100 g caster sugar, 500 ml whole milk, 250 ml double cream, 150 ml brandy and 100 ml aged rum, which makes 8 glasses. Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg.
How strong is Eggnog?
Made to this recipe, Eggnog contains about 1.3 UK units of alcohol per glass. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve Eggnog in?
Serve Eggnog in a mug. No mug? Small wine glasses or teacups.
