I’ll admit it, I’m pretty late to the table when it comes to Eggnog. For years, I associated it with those shocking yellow bottles of Warninks Advocaat and traffic light red plastic tasting cherries and the thought of actually drinking and enjoying it was beyond me. However, one taste of home made eggnog at a Christmas party a few years ago completely changed my mind and now I’m a huge fan.
Not only is eggnog a fabulously delicious Christmas drink but it can be made fresh in just a few minutes, and tastes nothing like those awful commercial versions. Using some simple ingredients like cream, fresh free range eggs and sugar, it can be spiced up with a dash of alcohol to add to the festive cheer.
To make this delish drink you’ll need:
6 free range eggs (ideally at room temperature)
3/4 cup sugar (for the egg yolks)
6 Tablespoons sugar (for the egg whites – vanilla sugar is good if you have some)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
fresh grated nutmeg or a pinch of mixed spice or cinnamon
3 cups whipping cream, chilled
2 cups whole milk
A splash of alcohol like brandy or rum
Separate the eggs and beat the yolks until stiff before adding the sugar. When finished, beat the egg whites with 1 tsp sugar until soft peaks form, then very slowly fold the whites and the yolks together.
In another bowl, whip up the cream with the vanilla essence and the mixed spice and 1 tsp. sugar until stiff, then very gently fold the cream in to the egg mixture, along with the milk. Add a splash of alcohol of your choice, pour into some fancy glasses and garnish with a little nutmeg or cinnamon.
