Traditional Eggnog - Simply Recipes

Why Make This

• You can easily customize this homemade eggnog to be spiked for adults or alcohol-free for kids.  
• The eggnog is rich and creamy thanks to a blend of whole eggs, milk, cream, and classic spices.  
• If safety is a concern, the recipe gives tips for pasteurizing eggs or reheating the mixture.  

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A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy.

We grew up with eggnog, the kind you buy in a carton, and every Christmas holiday we kids drank up as much of it as we could.

I didn't even know that eggnog was a "spiked" drink until well into my adult years!

Even now, I prefer my eggnog only lightly boozed, if at all. So this recipe is only lightly spiked; feel free to increase the rum and bourbon to your heart's delight, or omit altogether if it's for the kids.

How to Make Eggnog

The eggnog base starts by beating egg yolks with sugar until light and fluffy. Then you slowly whisk in hot milk that's been infused with cloves and cinnamon, which tempers the eggs so they don't curdle.

Finally, you warm the eggnog on the stovetop until it thickens. It's essentially a custard.

Using Raw Egg Whites Safely

For a traditional eggnog you also whip up some egg whites to stiff peaks, and then fold those into the eggnog mixture, making it light and fluffy.

The egg whites are not cooked and these days some people avoid eating raw eggs because of the salmonella risk. If you want to incorporate beaten egg whites, one way to get around this is to use pasteurized eggs.

I've also just reheated the combined mixture (eggnog base with beaten egg whites mixed in), until it reaches 160°F, and then let the mixture chill again. That works too if eating raw eggs is a concern for you.

Need an egg-free version of eggnog? Try coquito! It's the Puerto Rican answer to eggnog, made with condensed milk, coconut, spices, and rum.

Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) GET THE RECIPE:

What's Your Eggnog Tradition?

Is eggnog part of your family holiday tradition? If so, how do you like it—spiked or virgin? With whipped egg whites or without?