5 Tips You Need to Know to Make the Best Eggnog (2024)

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Updated 12/9/20

5 Tips You Need to Know to Make the Best Eggnog (1)

Eggnog tends to drive even the most dedicated of co*cktailians to reach for the premade stuff. But there’s really nothing to fear; anyone can fix a delicious 'Nog. For guidance, we called on Derek Brown, whose Washington, D.C., bar, The Columbia Room, is known for serving big bowls of it.

1. Be Economical

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there’s no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients. After all, “Eggnog is not ice cream,” he says.

2. Yes, There Are Eggs in Eggnog

Unlike the nonalcoholic Egg Cream, Eggnog does contain eggs. Brown says the key is to buy fresh and local. “We always get local eggs from the farmers’ market, so we know where they’re from and what the date on them is,” he says.

3. Grate Your Own Spices

“If you want really excellent Eggnog, you have to consider all the products you put into it, not just the booze,” Brown says. That includes the spice responsible for giving Eggnog its kick, nutmeg. Brown advocates grating it fresh. “It’s a really different taste from what you’d get in a jar of McCormick,” he says.

4. 'Nog Keeps

Eggnog will last weeks, even months, if refrigerated. (Brown suggests transferring it to a bottle first.) “Along the way, there are complex chemical reactions happening that affect the flavor,” he says, recalling an intensely nutty and rich year-old ‘nog made by some friends.

5. Quality Over Quantity

With its eggs, cream and sugar, Eggnog has garnered a reputation as something of a once-a-year indulgence. But Brown advises against trying to make the drink more healthful. “There’s simply no substitute for a rich, creamy Eggnog,” he says. “Instead of making Eggnog less caloric, drink less of it. Have a cup and then move on to the light beer.”

5 Tips You Need to Know to Make the Best Eggnog (2024)

FAQs

How to make eggnog 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!

What goes best 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 are the rules for eggnog? ›

All ingredients used are safe and suitable. Eggnog contains not less than 6 percent milkfat and not less than 8.25 percent milk solids not fat. The egg yolk solids content is not less than 1 percent by weight of the finished food. The food shall be pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized and may be hom*ogenized.

What is the best way to drink eggnog? ›

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.

What makes eggnog taste so good? ›

“For a lot of people, it's the richness of the fat and flavor of the custard that gives eggnog its sensory appeal.”

Is eggnog better 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 is considered the best eggnog? ›

The Best Eggnog: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog

“It has a lovely golden color with small flecks of grated nutmeg,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. While only a sprinkling is used, even in homemade recipes, this baking spice really makes this Christmastime drink taste like the holiday season.

What are good things about eggnog? ›

Eggnog Has Some Redeeming Qualities

(Compare that with a large egg, which has 7 grams of protein.) You'll also get between 10 and 20 percent of the 1,300 mg Daily Value for calcium and 2 to 6 percent of the 4,700 mg Daily Value for potassium, which helps keep blood pressure in check.

What pairs well with eggnog flavor? ›

And while chocolate cake is at the top of the list of desserts that pair well with eggnog, you can't go wrong with any sweet. Pumpkin pie and apple crumble are the next two on the list.

Can you eat eggnog raw? ›

If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook 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.

How long does eggnog last? ›

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.

Should I shake eggnog? ›

If you don't serve the eggnog right away, much of the lighter egg white foam will rise to the top over time—just be sure to give it a good shake or stir to redistribute the froth. I like to garnish each glass with freshly grated nutmeg just before serving.

Why is it called eggnog? ›

Babson College professor Frederick Douglass Opie contends that the term derives from two colonial slang words: grog (rum) that bartenders served in noggins (small wooden mugs). From here came egg and grog, then egg-n-grog, and finally the portmanteau eggnog.

Is eggnog better with alcohol? ›

Whiskey and bourbon are also great matches for this subtly spiced sip. Both of these spirits work well with holiday flavors like vanilla and spice, so adding a dram to your mug of eggnog is as natural as pairing peppermint with chocolate.

How to make store bought eggs nog better? ›

How to Spike Store-Bought Eggnog. Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.

What can I add to store-bought eggnog? ›

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

Does eggnog taste better with alcohol? ›

Eggnog is the holiday sludge that some people can't live without and others can't stand. It's a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites. For those of legal drinking age, the beverage tastes even better with a splash of alcohol.

Does eggnog taste good heated up? ›

Warm eggnog is best served on especially cold days when you need something to heat yourself up. The heat from the milk, combined with the custardy texture of the drink and the warming feeling from the alcohol, will definitely make it a godsend.

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