How to Make Perfect Holiday Eggnog

Eggnog is a time honored tradition for many households during the holiday season. This year, impress your friends and family with this delicious holiday Eggnog recipe that will keep them coming back for more!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 12 eggs, separated
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups bourbon
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 6 cups milk
• ground nutmeg
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 large mixing bowls
• 1 small mixing bowl
• Mixer
• Wire Whisk
• Punchbowl

1. To start making your Eggnog, first you should get your first four ingredients ready. Only the first four ingredients are necessary at this time, since the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg will not be needed until later. Start by separating your eggs (reserving egg whites for future use), and measuring out each of the ingredients to the necessary amounts listed above.

2. Add your egg yolks and sugar to a large mixing bowl. On a low mixing speed, blend egg yolks and sugar together. Switch mixer to a higher speed, and beat until the mixture becomes lemon-colored and thick. This generally takes about 12-15 minutes. Remember to frequently scrape the bowl, to keep the mixture from accumulating on the sides.

3. Once your egg/sugar mixture is at the right consistency, start adding your bourbon and brandy one tablespoon at a time. It is extremely important that you only add the liquor one tablespoon at a time and allow it to blend thoroughly before adding the next tablespoon, as this will prevent the mixture from curdling. Once you have added all of the liquor, cover the bowl and chill the mixture. (Do not forget to chill egg whites as well, so they do not spoil.)

4. About 1 hour before you are going to serve your holiday Eggnog, place your punch bowl or desired serving bowl into the refrigerator to chill.

5. About 20 minutes before you are ready to serve your Eggnog, remove your chilled punch bowl from the refrigerator. Stir your egg yolk mixture, your 6 cups of milk and about 1 ¼ teaspoons of nutmeg, into the punch bowl.

6. In a separate large mixing bowl, start beating reserved egg whites at a high speed with your mixture. Beat egg whites until soft white peaks can be made from the mixture.

7. In a separate small bowl, use the mixer on medium speed, and beat your heavy cream until stiff white peaks form. There is no need to rinse mixer blades between beating your egg yolks and your cream. In fact, not rinsing them makes beating the cream work better!

8. Now, using a wire kitchen whisk, fold your cream and your egg whites into the yolk mixture. You do not want to beat it, simply fold it into the yolk mixture until it is just blended.

9. Sprinkle some nutmeg onto the top of the bowl, and serve! Your guests will be so delighted with this delicious beverage that they'll be begging for more!

Tips & Warnings

• Place a separate shaker of nutmeg on the side so guests can sprinkle additional nutmeg into their glass if desired.
• This beverage does contain alcohol, so drink responsibly and keep out of reach of children!

[lacurcio]

on 11/20/2008 This sounds so good! If I had the liquor right now, I would be making myself a batch :)