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.
How to make eggnog better? ›
5 Tips for Making the Best Eggnog
- Be Economical. Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. ...
- Yes, There Are Eggs in Eggnog. Unlike the nonalcoholic Egg Cream, Eggnog does contain eggs. ...
- Grate Your Own Spices. ...
- Quality Over Quantity.
From 'The Philosophy of Housekeeping' By Joseph Bardwell Lyman, 1859. Egg Nog. — Teaspoonful of sugar well beaten with an egg; add a gill of milk, and then, by degrees, one or two tablespoonfuls of good French brandy; spice with grated nutmeg.
Can 11 year olds 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.”
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.
Can you eat 100 year old egg nog? ›
Century eggs prepared in traditional ways are generally safe to consume.
Who should not drink eggnog? ›
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.
Can you drink year old eggnog? ›
Best Eggnog Recipe
Game plan: It's good to give the eggnog a full 3 weeks of aging or up to 1 year, but you can drink it right away; however, the flavor will be less rounded.
What is the best mix for 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.
Why is my homemade eggnog so thick? ›
It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.
Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture. Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage.
Why do Americans love eggnog? ›
The drink's wintry spices, and the preference for serving it hot, made nog a Yuletide mainstay. As milk, eggs, sugar and rum became more affordable and abundant, eggnog became accessible to everyday Americans. Today, people around the world enjoy it, often putting regional spins on the recipe.
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.
Who invented eggnog? ›
While no one knows who invented eggnog, most historians and foodies generally agree eggnog originated in medieval Britain. The upper classes were the only ones to have access to the milk, sherry, and eggs required to make the first version of eggnog, so it began as an exclusive beverage.
What is eggnog definition for kids? ›
Kids Definition
eggnog. noun. egg·nog -ˌnäg. : a drink made of eggs beaten with sugar, milk or cream, and often alcoholic liquor.
What is eggnog made of? ›
Eggnog is traditionally made with eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. It's often spiked with brandy, rum or other liquor, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks.
What was eggnog originally made of? ›
"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.
How do you explain what eggnog is? ›
Traditional eggnog today is made up of a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, eggs (both yolks and whipped egg whites), and rum, bourbon, or brandy. They can also call for warm spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg), along with vanilla extract. It's a classic Christmas drink that's creamy, sweet, and typically served chilled.
