Description
Classic homemade eggnog from traditional family recipes delights holiday gatherings with rich, creamy goodness. Warm spices and smooth rum create festive cheer you’ll savor with each delightful sip.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp (teaspoon) vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- Ground cinnamon (for topping)
- Alcohol (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk Preparation: Vigorously blend granulated sugar and egg whites in a medium bowl until achieving a light, frothy consistency with a pale hue.
- Dairy Infusion: In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, ground nutmeg, and salt, heating over medium-high flame while stirring consistently to prevent burning and promote uniform temperature distribution.
- Tempering Process: Gradually introduce heated milk mixture into egg blend, whisking meticulously to prevent curdling and create a seamless, integrated liquid foundation.
- Custard Development: Return the tempered mixture to the saucepan, maintaining gentle heat and continuous whisking until reaching 160°F, ensuring egg safety and achieving a slightly thickened custard texture.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and incorporate pure vanilla extract and optional rum or bourbon, stirring thoroughly to distribute aromatic elements evenly throughout the mixture.
- Refinement Stage: Strain the eggnog through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container, eliminating potential egg solids and guaranteeing a velvety, smooth consistency.
- Chilling and Maturation: Refrigerate the strained mixture for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld and develop a rich, harmonious profile.
- Serving Presentation: Before serving, optionally garnish with freshly grated nutmeg, a dollop of whipped cream, or a cinnamon stick to elevate the sensory experience.
- Storage Protocol: Preserve the eggnog in a sealed container within the refrigerator, consuming within 5-7 days to maintain optimal taste and quality.
Notes
- Prevent Curdling: Carefully temper eggs by adding hot milk slowly while whisking continuously to avoid scrambled egg chunks in your eggnog.
- Temperature Safety: Heat mixture to exactly 160°F to eliminate harmful bacteria in raw eggs, ensuring a safe and delicious holiday drink.
- Strain for Smoothness: Always use a fine-mesh strainer to remove any potential egg solids, creating an ultra-silky, professional-quality eggnog texture.
- Flavor Development: Refrigerate for several hours before serving, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify the rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 250 mg