If there's an adult beverage that screams creamy goodness, especially during the holidays, spiked eggnog is a treat that's so delicious it can be a dessert itself. The sweetness and creaminess mixed with a warming liquor is one of many reasons why we love making and serving this cocktail. Cheers, be merry with our recipe, and make a pitcher's worth to keep everyone's cups full.
How to Make a Spiked Eggnog
The ratio is the same whether you're using homemade eggnog or store-bought. The ratio of alcohol to eggnog is 1½ ounces alcohol to 8 ounces (1 cup) eggnog. This recipe makes 12-16 servings, depending on the serving size.
Ingredients
- 12 eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1½ cups liquor (see different types below)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer on low heat, stirring constantly.
- Temper the egg mixture by adding the hot milk, a tablespoon at a time, whisking, until you've added about a cup of milk.
- Put the warmed milk back on low heat. In a thin stream, whisk in the tempered egg mixture, stirring constantly.
- Cook, stirring, until the mixture reaches a temperature of 160°F. Remove from the heat and place the pan in a bowl of ice water, whisking to cool.
- When cooled, whisk in the whipping cream.
- Add to a punch bowl with ice. Whisk in the liquor.
If you're looking for a non-alcoholic eggnog, substitute the liquor component with ginger beer, lemon-lime soda, sparkling apple cider, or cream soda.
Storage Instructions
Store in the fridge for up to three days. To store, stop after step 6 and refrigerate in an air-tight container. Add to the punch bowl with ice and whisk in the alcohol just before serving. It will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
What Alcohol to Use
You can use a number of brown spirits and liqueurs in your eggnog. Some spirits and liqueurs that work well include:
- Any type of whiskey, such as bourbon, scotch, rye, or whisky
- Dark rum or spiced rum
- Cognac, Armagnac, or another brandy
- Tawny port
- Orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
- Coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- Cream liqueur, such as Bailey's Irish Cream or RumChata
- Nut-flavored liqueur, such as amaretto or Frangelico
It's believed that eggnog first came from early medieval Britain and was eventually associated with the holidays around the 18th century. It soon became America's favorite beverage due to its abundance of chickens, cows, and cheap rum.
Garnishes for Alcoholic Eggnog
Make your alcoholic eggnog a little more special with a garnish. Some cocktail garnishes for eggnog include the following:
- Freshly grated nutmeg (use a rasp style grater)
- Ground cinnamon
- Orange zest
- Fresh cranberries
- Cinnamon stick
- Gingerbread cookie
- Small candy cane
- Candied ginger
- Whipped cream
- Sugar rim
- Meringue cookie
Fill Your Noggin With Alcoholic Eggnog
No matter how you like your eggnog, there's a way to make a delicious version of this festive holiday drink. So give these recipes a try and add some boozy, creamy goodness to your holidays.
