Here’s Why Eggnog Is A Must-Have On Your Holiday Menu
Cocktail recipes with eggnog as their base are interesting options to serve at a wintertime party marking the festive season. Winter drinks laced with brandy or rum bring forth the creamy nuance of eggnog in the most luxe manner, turning simple drinks into bar-quality, cocktail party-worthy libations. From eggnog-infused cocktail recipes to flavours brought in by rum or brandy to discovering why homemade eggnog is definitely different, and creamier than the store-bought, carton version, a lot goes into exploring modern and traditional concoctions that feature this drink as their base ingredient.
Ultimate Holiday Drink
One of the reasons eggnog trumps all other drinks when it comes to a holiday serve is that it is a festive staple. For years, eggnog has been served as the traditional drink during winter time as a beverage signifying the festive spirit. Having eggnog in the holidays is more than recreating the feeling of festivity; it is also about relishing the lightly spiced, velvety notes of the drink itself. What’s more, when eggnog is made at home, it is possible to monitor its sweetness, texture and spice level to cater to one’s own flavour preferences.
Fresh, Creamy And Flavourful
As far as holiday drinks go, homemade eggnog is definitely a fresh alternative. Made with readily available and fresh ingredients like milk, egg, cream, vanilla and nutmeg, it is a luxurious and silky beverage that can be served by itself during a festive gathering. Moreover, when made at home, eggnog can also be infused with varied spices to lend it a more complex, aromatic and indulgent nuance.
Endless Customisations
Customisations are exactly what make homemade eggnog such a staple drink to prepare during winter festivities. It’s possible to add flavour accents in the form of a cinnamon stick, orange zest, star anise or even earthy chai masala, for those infusing it with a desi twist. In fact, such a customisable eggnog can be served both warm and chilled, depending on the infusion flavours. For instance, while vanilla-infused eggnog tastes better when chilled, a cinnamon and orange-flavoured version definitely tastes better when it is served warm, in a large mug with a cinnamon dust and marshmallow garnish.
Doubles As A Cocktail Base
When you are hosting a festive gathering at home, eggnog can be your best bud. A couple of signature cocktails are enough to put that festive spin on the dinner party. And what better beverage than the eggnog, as the base for crafting drinks laced with a wintry, creamy, luxurious quality? In fact, eggnog works really well with spirits like rum or brandy. Its creaminess brings forth the caramelised notes of a good quality dark rum, while its lightly sweet notes perfectly compliment the brandy that integrates well into an eggnog cocktail.
Eggnog cocktails can be planned ahead, and prepared in batches. These batched drinks, both warm and cold depending upon the winter cocktail recipe, can be brought out and served to guests, without having to do much prep during the party.
Also Read: 4 Holiday-Themed Festive Charcuterie Boards To Pair With Your Favourite Drinks
Festive Homemade Eggnog And Rum Mix
Ingredients:
For The Eggnog
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- A pinch of cinnamon
For The Cocktail [Serves 1]
- 30 ml rum such as Captain Morgan Dark Rum
- 90 ml eggnog
- Grated nutmeg and orange wheel for garnish
Method:
– To prepare the eggnog, beat the egg yolks and sugar until they are pale and creamy. In a saucepan, heat milk, cream, nutmeg and cinnamon until they are steaming but not boiled.
- Take off the heat and slowly stream the egg and sugar mixture into the pan, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
- Now, place on very low heat and warm the eggnog slightly until it starts to thicken. Take it off the flame.
- To make the warm cocktail, add 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum to a round mug and gently top this off with 90 ml freshly-made eggnog. Stir lightly and garnish with grated nutmeg and an orange wheel.
Key Takeaways:
– Come the festive season, eggnog is one of the most staple and traditional drinks to serve, particularly while hosting a dinner or a cocktail party that marks the season’s spirit.
– Making eggnog at home is quite a straightforward process, and is a fresher alternative than the store bought version. It can be tailor-made to suit one’s flavour preferences.
– The best part about having eggnog on the holiday menu is that it is a creamy and velvety soft base for cocktails, making it easier to blend festive-themed winter drinks at home.
FAQs:
– How can eggnog be customised at home?
One of the best parts about preparing eggnog at home is endless customisations. Homemade eggnog can be infused with the flavours of different spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise and fruity flavours like orange zest for a tart and tangy nuance. Adding chai masala to eggnog is also an interesting customisation, which lends the drink a desi twist.
– Which are some of the spirits that work well in eggnog cocktails?
Along with whisky, spirits such as rum and brandy work really well in eggnog cocktails. Homemade eggnog becomes a creamy base which lends body to the caramelised flavours of rum and the lightly sweet notes of brandy. What’s more, these flavours come forth in both, warm and chilled eggnog cocktails.
– What’s the best way to make eggnog without curdling the milk and cream?
Heat the milk and cream ever so slightly and take them off the flame before adding the egg and sugar mixture. This will reduce the risk of curdling.
*All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
