During my lunch break Wednesday (New Year’s Eve) I went to the package store for a bottle of Stranahan’s Colorado Whisky, intending to take it to a gathering on New Year’s Day. On my way back to the office I ran into a former co-worker and we chatted about our evening plans. I mentioned that I was making eggnog, and she seemed surprised that anyone makes eggnog in their own home. It always surprises me when I find out that some acquaintance of mine believes that grocery-store eggnog in the paper carton is the real thing, or even believes making it is impossible (or dangerous) for mortals. Eggnog is a wonderful beverage, satisfying and tasty, almost a cold custard. I think it makes a fine dessert in winter months.
I keep two recipes at hand: one makes a quantity for a party, the other enough for four people.
At the New Year’s Eve party I have attended for the past 5 years, this eggnog recipe is traditional. The recipe makes about 1 1/4 gallons and must be kept chilled. The quantity and service are the most difficult parts of the recipe.
Eggnog in quantity
Separate a dozen eggs.
Beat the yolks with 2cups sugar until the sugar is incorporated, then
add 16oz bourbon.
Blend.
Refrigerate the eggs yolks and sugar for at least 8 hours.
Whip 2pints cream, then
fold 2quarts milk into the cream.
Fold the yolks and sugar into the milk and cream.
Fold an additional 12oz rum into everything else.
Chill for an hour.
Serve, and grate nutmeg over each glass.
This doesn’t need a top-shelf bourbon. I like to use Jack Daniels kentucky whiskEy or Jim Beam (check brands). I prefer a darker rum like Gosling’s Black Seal or Coruba.
I have made it with only rum, but I’ll mix rums: a light amber like Cruzan and a darker Jamaican.
However, Jeffrey Morganthaler has a fine recipe for more modest amounts of eggnog. It is perfect for four as an after-dinner drink. Check out his blogpost for the recipe. This requires at least an hour to chill.
Leftover eggnog can be used to make bread pudding (cook at a slightly lower temperature for a longer time to drive-off the alcohol).
