Eggnog, eggnog or Christmas punch

You have to discover eggnog if you haven't already! Eggnog is what we call eggnog or Christmas punch here, a sweet drink made from eggs and milk, and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, a good dose of ginger and cloves . It's a really special drink, which you have to try if you feel like having an alternative drink to a nice glass of chocolate to sweeten the afternoon or you want to offer your guests a drink to finish off the meal and accompany it with some cookies. I've fallen in love with this punch!

Eggnog is a very popular drink in the United States. It is very common to drink it during Christmas celebrations and cold weather, and in fact it is also traditional to make it and bottle it in small bottles to give to friends and family.

There are several recipes for making eggnog. All of them naturally incorporate egg yolk and milk, but they vary in the amounts of spices, whether or not evaporated milk or cooking cream is added, and in the final presentation. You also have the option of making it with or without rum (or another liquor); you will see both options below.

The recipe I bring you is the one that, after much research, seems to be one of the recipes with the most traditional preparation and proportions . The truth is that at home, and especially the older ones, we have fallen in love with it. I hope you like it as much as we do, and that the curiosities and notes that I leave you below will help you fill the Christmas table with curiosities about this Christmas punch if you dare to make it.

What you should know about Eggnog

Eggnog is a creamy drink , with the flavour of eggs, milk and lots of spices (especially the ginger and cinnamon); it is creamy and super easy to make (you can make it in less than 30 minutes).

It is a drink that arouses great passions, especially among lovers of sweet drinks and spices (on the other hand, if there is someone who does not like ginger, I do not recommend it).

This punch can be made with or without alcohol - you will see how to make it in both cases in the recipe.

Luigi Bormioli double-walled glasses and Zassenhaus set of 4 serving boards

History and curiosities about eggnog

Eggnog is very popular in the United States, but it doesn't originate there: it actually originated in England in the Middle Ages and comes from posset (a drink made from boiled milk, which, in addition to beer, cereals or bread, was sweetened with spices and sugar). Thus, it was immigrants to the United States who introduced the drink there, where it became popular.

The drink originally included some wine or liquor (like many other hot drinks, which originated in Europe based on wine or liquor and spices to help combat the winter cold).

In Europe, this punch went from containing wine to incorporating sherry, and became a traditional drink for celebrations. However, it was when the first versions of this punch arrived in the United States that cheaper alternative liquors began to be used. That is why today the traditional recipe incorporates rum .

In the United States, Eggnog is so popular that it can be found in packaged stores and specialty shops (safely available during the cold months of the year).

About making Eggnog

• The first part of the preparation will remind you of how to make pastry cream. Now you know how easy it is!
• The recipe includes spices in significant quantities. This is no mistake and, in fact, I have slightly reduced the amount of ginger in the traditional recipe, as it was excessive for my taste and, in my opinion, for the palates of many in our country.
• You can make Eggnog with or without rum. Obviously, without rum it is suitable for all children, as it is simply a drink made from eggs and milk.
• If you want to add rum , the truth is that the alcohol note, due to the quantities added, is not noticeable, but all the notes of the punch become more defined and I think that, if you can, it is worth adding it - and as I was recommended to do, I recommend you try it (you can also, as I did, divide the amount of punch in two, and make the version with and without rum.
• After making it, it is advisable to keep it in the fridge for a few hours to allow the flavours to settle (although you will see that this delight winking at you when you finish it).

Eggnog recipe, eggnog or Christmas drink

Ingredients

• 710 ml whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (6 g)
• 6 egg yolks
• 220 g white sugar
• 1 tablespoon (2 g) cinnamon
• 2 level tablespoons (4 g) of powdered ginger
• 1.5 level tablespoons (3 g) ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) cloves (common, but optional)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) rum, brandy or cognac*
• 350 ml cooking cream (you can use whipping cream if you want it thicker and sweeter).

*You can make it without liquor, but it is highly recommended. If you want, you can make the base mixture and, once you have it ready, separate it into two parts, and add half of the rum (30 ml) to one of the parts.

Preparation

1. Put the milk in a saucepan over low heat. You should heat it without letting it boil. Leave it for a few minutes and then turn off the heat so that it cools down a bit.
2. Meanwhile, separate the egg whites from the yolks using an egg separator . Transfer the egg whites to a bowl and mix with the sugar (if using the KitchenAid, use the paddle attachment with the flexible side) until the mixture is whiter.
3. Pour a few tablespoons of milk into the bowl with the egg yolks, stirring constantly (we don't want the yolks to set). After diluting the egg yolks a little with the milk, pour the entire egg yolk and sugar mixture into the saucepan with the hot milk. Put on a low heat.
4. Add the vanilla extract.
5. Leave it on the heat until it reduces, until it thickens a little. When it has a nappa consistency, the preparation is ready (when you run your finger along the back of the spoon and you can see the path traced by your finger).
6. Transfer to a bowl, passing through a fine mesh strainer.
7. In another bowl or pot, add very cold water (or water and ice). The idea is to put the bowl with the eggnog on top of that pot, so that the bowl with the eggnog cools down (be careful! We don't want water to get into the punch, we only want to cool the bowl and the preparation).
8. Add the cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger, nutmeg, cooking cream and rum* to the punch. Mix everything with a whisk and pour into a bottle to cool. Your Christmas punch is ready!

Presentation: To serve, beat the egg whites. In a tall glass like those from Bormioli or a mug, fill halfway with the eggnog and top with the beaten egg whites. Add a cinnamon stick and sprinkle with cinnamon and/or cocoa powder.

Tips and tricks

• Make use of the egg whites! When serving, you will often see Christmas punch served as is in a glass or mug, with a cinnamon stick. However, if you want to follow the traditional version where nothing was wasted, use the egg whites that you have separated from the yolks to whip them, and serve the eggnog with a top layer of foam that you will decorate with cinnamon. This way you will make an eggnog that is true to tradition!

• Eggnog is best eaten hot , which is why it has always been ideal and typical of cold weather. But it is delicious cold! It reminds me of a spiced milkshake. Try it and you won't know which one you like best!
• It is customary to store this homemade punch in bottles and jars to give as gifts to guests when making it. What a lovely tradition! Shall we follow it?

More ideas for serving your Eggnogg

• You can also serve the punch directly into glasses, without foam . Just add a cinnamon stick and it will be a treat.

If you want to add a decorative touch to your eggnog glass or cup, you can apply a sugar rim to it: just moisten the rim of the glass (with a damp cloth or by turning it over a tray with a little water or milk). Then, turn it upside down on a plate or tray with a layer of sugar, either white or brown. You will see how the sugar sticks to the moistened rim. It looks elegant, pretty and will add extra sweetness to the first sips.

• Your latte with eggnog: add eggnog to your coffee, you will see what a delicious latte with the spice flavour of eggnog. You can add a little cinnamon on top too.

• Instead of cinnamon, decorate with a small star of anise: while it flavors the first sip, it looks Christmassy, ​​elegant and adds warmth to the presentation.

• Serve the eggnogg with cream. If you're ready to enjoy it, let's make it sweeter! You can decorate the cream with a little cocoa powder.