Warm Eggnog Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How to heat egg nog? ›

To heat up the eggnog, we simply microwaved it for 30 seconds. The time could vary depending on the power of your microwave. How was the result? The warm eggnog with rum was so yummy, it tasted like a liquid dessert.

Warming it up makes the heat-carrying components — like the spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) and alcohol — more pronounced over the creaminess. On the other hand, serving it chilled brings out more of the sweetness from ingredients like milk and cream, with a gentler tinge of alcohol and nutty spices.

Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe.

Choose The Right Spirit

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.

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.

If you're serving warm beverages, you can use a slow cooker or insulated urn to keep them hot. If you have to use the stove top, keep the heat very low or consider just warming small batches as you need them because the alcohol can easily cook off.

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

“Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free of Salmonella bacteria. If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.

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 drink is similar to eggnog? ›

Typically made around Christmastime, the Tom and Jerry is a classic co*cktail that looks and tastes a lot like eggnog. Its exact origins are unclear, but there's evidence to suggest that the Cognac and rum-spiked drink's roots date back to England in the 19th century.

"Tom and Jerry is a form of hot eggnog [co*cktail] that was once popular." The Tom and Jerry was invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, using brandy and rum added to eggnog and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. It is a traditional Christmastime co*cktail in the United States.

Classic Spiked Eggnog

This super-simple recipe makes six 6½-ounce servings. For a well-balanced drink, add one part spirit to five parts eggnog and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg for a boozy refreshment.

While eggnog is often served chilled, in some cases it is warmed, particularly on cold days (similar to the way mulled wine is served warm). Eggnog or eggnog flavoring may also be added to other drinks, such as coffee (e.g., an "eggnog latte" espresso drink) and tea, or to dessert foods such as egg-custard puddings.

​Be careful not to heat the eggnog too high. It can curdle the eggs. If you do not have an espresso machine, use strong brewed coffee or instant espresso powder. While it is delicious on its own, I like to top this recipe with homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

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.