Eggnog-ing with Whiskey
Eggnog and whiskey are a match made in heaven! If you’ve never thought of combining these two indulgent treats, now is the perfect time to start. The smooth, creamy texture of eggnog is the perfect complement to the boozy shine of whiskey.
But just how much whiskey should you add to your traditional holiday eggnog recipe? Before you make your eggnog, you need to figure out the type you’ll be making. Will it be adult-only with a healthy dose of whiskey, or will you keep it mild for the kiddies? It’s up to you – and your tolerance levels!
Making an Eggnog Cocktail
If you’re of legal drinking age, you may want to enjoy a traditional eggnog cocktail. A classic eggnog cocktail recipe includes a hefty four ounces of whiskey, two ounces of white rum, one ounce of cognac, and one ounce of dry sherry. It’s important to find the right balance – too much alcohol will overpower the eggnog, while too little will make it go down with too little punch.
If you’ve decided to obtain a bottle of whiskey for your eggnog cocktail, you can choose any whiskey or bourbon of your choice. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try a bit of each variety to discover which works best for your classic eggnog.
Awe-Inspiring Eggnog Shooter
If you’re determined to make an awe-inspiring eggnog shooter, you’ll need a different take altogether. A classic eggnog shooter combines one part of eggnog, one part of Amaretto, and one part of whiskey. You’ll need to be careful – the combination of these ingredients together can result in a quite potent eggnog shooter.
You can play around with the recipe depending on your preferences. If you don’t want go too overboard, use one shot of whiskey and one shot of Amaretto, but double the eggnog. Or, you can lighten things up by skipping the Amaretto entirely and just going for two shots of eggnog and one shot of whiskey.
Getting Creative with Eggnog
Creativity doesn’t need to take a backseat when it comes to eggnog. You can use a variety of other ingredients to take out traditional eggnog up a notch. For instance, one part of flavored vodka can give your eggnog an extra zing, while a bit of cookie-flavored liqueur lends a fantastic sweetness.
Adding whiskey to eggnog isn’t the only way to enjoy the holidays. If you’re uncomfortable about the idea of drinking, you may want to explore some alternatives. For instance, adding a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon will give your eggnog a great winter flavor. If that’s not enough spice for you, mixing a bit of hot sauce or Tabasco sauce will turn it into a hot eggnog.
Making the Perfect Traditional Eggnog
For a perfect, traditional eggnog, you’ll need one part whiskey (or your choice of spirits), one part brandy, one part heavy cream, and six egg yolks. You can easily make the drink less alcoholic by using one part whiskey, one part non-alcoholic eggnog, and one part heavy cream.
You may also want to try using rum instead of whiskey or brandy. Even better, you can use spiced rum to give your eggnog an added twist. Whichever combination you use, make sure to beat your mixture well to ensure an even blend.
Gracefully Adding Some Extra Flair
Finally, you can give your eggnog some extra flair by adding a few extra ingredients. For instance, if you’re feeling naughty, you can blend a bit of goldschlager to your eggnog for a drink that packs a real punch. Or, if you’d like something more palatable, you can stir in a splash of grenadine for sweetness.
If you’re looking to add some color to your eggnog, try adding food coloring. You can choose either a festive red or cheery green to brighten up to the glass. You can also top your eggnog with a generous dollop of whipped cream, garnished with a fresh sprig of mint.
Making a Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
On the flip side, if you’re looking to make a non-alcoholic version of the classic eggnog, you’ll only need three ingredients. Combine six egg yolks, two cups of heavy cream, and one cup of sugar and beat them together with an electric hand mixer. Once fully blended, pour the mixture into a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once your eggnog thickens, pour into a pitcher, and refrigerate overnight before serving.
So, whatever your preference, there is a way to combine whiskey and eggnog. Whether you’d prefer a classic eggnog cocktail, a light eggnog shooter, or an alcohol-free eggnog, you can use your own creative combinations to craft up even more eggnog ideas. However you choose to combine the two heavenly treats, you can’t go wrong!
