The Best Classic Eggnog Recipe (Easy Homemade Cooked Christmas Eggnog) (2024)

FAQs

Should I cook my eggnog? ›

If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.

So after the initial taste test with both batches freshly made, the cooked one tasted better, no doubt; it was richer, creamier, more custardy, and packed a lot more flavour than the raw one.

The difference between the two varieties is that “old fashioned” eggnog is creamier and more strongly spiced than “classic,” Darigold spokesperson Erin Byrne said. “Classic” eggnog has 6% butterfat and is spiced with nutmeg, whereas “old fashioned” eggnog has 7% butterfat and is spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

Homemade eggnog is thickened first with egg yolks and then given even more texture by folding in whipped egg whites at the end. Those egg whites transform what can be a fairly heavy, overly rich drink into something airier and frothier — though no less decadent.

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.

The warm eggnog with rum was so yummy, it tasted like a liquid dessert. The warm temperature of the drink mellowed its unique taste a bit (eggnog could be an acquired taste if you're not used to it), and immediately warms up your body. The rum definitely helped. It was perfect to enjoy and sip on a cold November night.

The idea? Make a batch of eggnog and let it age for at least three weeks in the refrigerator before drinking. The rest period supposedly drives off eggy taste while giving the other flavors a chance to meld. At the same time, the alcohol has a chance to kill any potential pathogens in the mix.

A fresh batch of eggnog can mature for months, or even years. And some say that's a good thing.

There are a couple of reasons that store-bought 'nog will never taste as good as home made. First off, homemade eggnog gets its thickness and flavor from real eggs, but compared to other ingredients in commercial eggnog, eggs are expensive.

But if you want to opt for an eggnog that does all the boozy work for you, Pennsylvania Dutch is your best bet. Each bottle contains rum, brandy, and blended whiskey. And our experts could definitely taste all three of them.

Which eggnog is best? ›

Overall, the editors who participated in the taste test chose Publix's Original Eggnog as the best store-bought eggnog. Its classic eggnog flavor without being overly sweet won over the testers. “It's the most well-rounded,” said one editor. Another described it as the “closest to homemade.”

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.

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.

Undercooked eggnog will be thin and watery; overcooked custard will curdle. The difference is a matter of only a few degrees. For perfectly smooth eggnog: Pour through a sieve before chilling.

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.

Although its exact origin is uncertain, hot eggnog has been a mainstay of winter social life for hundreds of years. It can be served hot or cold, with alcohol or without, in dainty punch cups or in substantial mugs. Eggs in the nog can be cooked to a safe temperature or incorporated raw.

Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.

The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.