Homemade Eggnog
Re-post from December 2011
One of my favorite holiday treats is eggnog. I have never attempted to make my own before, but this year I thought I would concoct a special recipe spiked with vanilla vodka and Bailey’s Irish Creme liqueur. Traditionally eggnog is spiked with brandy or rum, but I wanted to give it more of a white Russian effect. I used local milk, local cream, and lots of local farm fresh eggs.
Ingredients: Local Milk, Local Eggs, Local Cream, Vanilla, Organic Sugar, Vanilla Vodka, Bailey’s Irish Creme and if you want you can add Double Chocolate Vodka
Combine eggs, yolks, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt in heavy 3- or 4-quart saucepan.
Whisk together
What it looks like after whisking
I made this recipe x 7 for Christmas gifts – all the eggs in a huge sauce pan
Instead of whisking by hand, I used an electric mixer for large quantities
Slowly add 4 cups of local milk, stirring after each 1/2 cup
Adding the milk
For a little extra flavor add vanilla bean paste from a fresh pod (not necessary)
Heat mixture on low, and add in nutmeg and vanilla extract
Heat until temperature reaches 160 degrees
Allow mixture to thicken and coat back of spoon, careful not to overheat and curdle
Sift through a fine mesh sleeve to remove any clumps
Meanwhile, beat local heavy cream to soft peaks
Gently fold the cream into the eggnog mixture
Then funnel into desired containers
Seal the top of containers tightly with plastic wrap or top
Refrigerate for 3 hours and then it will store for up to 3-5 days in fridge.
Create festive label for container
And presto, a perfect holiday gift!
Incredible!! What a wonderful gift and it looks so delicious!
Thanks Beth, it is so tasty.
Where did you get your bottles?
Hey Keith, I got them at the Container Store here in Nashville. Here is the link: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10003575&N=&Ntt=glass+bottle
Not sure about the “Presto” part. Haha! Sounds delish! Hope I’m on the list!
True, definitely more work that Presto haha. And yes, you are on the list
Mary, did you make the labels, or order them? I’ve been looking for labels like this for a while.
I designed the labels myself in Adobe Illustrator and then had a local printer print them for me as a stickers.
This is probably going to be a stupid question, but I don’t drink eggnog so I wouldn’t know: Do you put it in the refrigerator for 3 hours and then take it out for 3-5 days in a row? Then does it have to be refrigerated once it is delivered? Thanks
Hi Lauren, that’s not a stupid question. You need to chill for 3 hrs before drinking and then it will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. Hope that clarifies it! Good luck, it’s like a grown up milkshake
When is the best time to add the “spike” to the drink? do you cook it in?
I always add it after the liquid has cooled. I typically mix it all together and then distribute it into the bottles.
Great idea for gifts, where did you get the labels?
Hi Debbie,
I actually designed the labels myself and had them printed from a local print company. I would also create them unique for you if you wanted for $15.
mary,
I would love to order some labels.
Do you think it would be good with vanilla vodka and rum so it tastes more like egg nog?
Hi Jennifer, great. Please email me at mary.crimmins@yahoo.com to work out the details. Thanks! As for rum or vodka, it’s really personal preference either would be delicious, however I tend to always lean towards vodka before rum.
I love the eggnog post.Would make great neigbour gifts.I`d love to get the custom labels made.
Mary
Hi Mary, great. Please email me at mary.crimmins@yahoo.com to work out the details. Thanks!
I would love the labels template as well. I can’t wait to make these and give them out this year
Mary – I emailed you but havent heard back about the labels.
Excellent idea i am so doing this for all my relatives and friends this Christmas. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe and it looks amazing
Which size bottles did you use? I found the bottles it they come in a variety of sizes….
Hi there. I bought my containers from the Container Store. Here is the link http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/pitchers?productId=10003575&N=74105
I think they were the 17oz ones, although I don’t remember for sure.
Thank you! Just ordered some…so excited to make this Eggnog
Love the jadite! Recipe looks amazing too
Thanks Shaune, it’s a little drink of heaven.
Can the mixture be frozen before adding the liquor?
I’m not sure about freezing, since I have never done it before. I wouldn’t recommend it because of the milk products, that can get funky when thawing out. However, it may be fine. Good luck!
The directions say to add the sugar and salt but it doesn’t say how much salt is necessary for this recipe. I’m making it right now and I think I’m just going to skip the salt. We’ll see if it matters
I believe it is 1tsp. Sorry about that. Hope it turns out!
Actually Jana, it’s 1/4 tsp of salt. Thanks for letting me know it wasn’t on there.
Hi, I made a homemade Eggnog last year and it was great! However, after it cooled, it started clumping. I made another batch of eggnog (different recipe) this past weekend and it also started clumping after being refrigerated for an hour or so. Any ideas what would be causing this?
Thanks!
Did you whisk it the whole way through when adding the milk? I think that would help. Also, make sure to strain it through a sleeve which should get rid of any of the clumps. If you’ve done all that and it’s still clumping I’m not sure why that’s happening. It has to be during the heating process. When in doubt whisk whisk whisk.
Ok, thank you. I’m going to make another batch in a couple of days and see if it gets any better with more whisking. I’m trying to perfect it because it’s a huge hit with my whole family and my extended family all get together for celebrations on Christmas Eve and I would love to bring some to the gathering.
I was wondering if it made a difference if I used 2% instead of whole milk?
It will definitely be lower fat content=less thick. It’s up to you. Whole milk is really the best way to go in this recipe as you want that thick aspect to it. It may take a little longer on the stove top to thicken, just watch it closely.
Thank you. It still turned out pretty good but it did take quite a bit longer on the stove. I’m going to try it with the whole milk to see the difference. Thank you
Patricia,
Great, thanks for checking back in. Hope both are delicious. Merry Christmas!
Hi i want to try my hand at making your eggnog this year,i was reading your reply and notice that you add the liquor once the mixture has cooled. So should i wait 15-20 mins to cool then add the liquor and then fold in thr heavy cream?? Thanks in advance
You really don’t have to wait. If you are nervous, wait a few minutes. As along as it’s not boiling (which it shouldn’t be) you will be fine. I do it all at once so I can bottle and refrigerate them without having to go back and add to the bottles. Good luck!
Do any changes need to be made if I am not adding alcohol? I need a kid friendly recipe!
Hi there,
Yes you can omit the alcohol to make a non-alcoholic eggnog, but you should also decrease the cream to 1/2 cup in order to keep the right consistency. Good luck!