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Classic Homemade Eggnog: Rich and Creamy Holiday Drink

Close-up of a creamy glass of homemade eggnog, generously dusted with ground nutmeg or cinnamon.
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Make this old fashioned homemade eggnog from scratch. This recipe yields a rich, thick, and creamy holiday beverage, far better than store-bought options. You can easily make it alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup dark rum or brandy (optional)
  • 1 quart whole milk
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Extra ground nutmeg for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves until the mixture is pale yellow and smooth.
  2. In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil.
  3. Temper the eggs: Slowly pour about 1 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
  4. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
  5. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon (reaching 160 degrees F). Do not let it boil.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Stir in the optional rum or brandy, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.
  7. Strain the eggnog through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any small cooked egg pieces, ensuring a smooth texture.
  8. Cover the bowl and chill the eggnog in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the drink to thicken.
  9. Before serving this velvety winter custard drink, whisk it well and pour into glasses. Garnish each serving with a fresh sprinkle of ground nutmeg.

Notes

  • For a non-alcoholic eggnog, simply omit the rum or brandy and add 1/4 cup extra whole milk.
  • To achieve the thickest texture, chill the eggnog completely before serving. The chilling process is key to a creamy holiday delight.
  • You can prepare this recipe a day ahead for your holiday party drinks.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/classic-homemade-eggnog-rich-creamy-holiday/