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–+ servings
Copycat Southern Comfort Eggnog or Traditional Eggnog, homemade, with whipped cream. Surrounded by evergreen boughs and pinecones.

Traditional Eggnog

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, drink, eggnog, gluten-free, homemade
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 4-oz cups
Sweet and creamy, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this Traditional Eggnog is Christmas in a glass!
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • candy thermometer (recommended)
  • mesh strainer (recommended)
  • immersion blender (optional)

Ingredients

  • 6 egg yolks
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • pinch salt
  • whipped cream for topping (optional)
  • extra cinnamon for dusting on top (optional)

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar.
  • In a medium saucepan, mix heavy cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stirring often, bring to a very slight simmer over medium heat.
  • Temper egg yolks by drizzling the hot milk mixture into the bowl of yolks and sugar while whisking constantly. Use a ladle to make drizzling easier. After adding about ½ of the hot milk mixture, pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan while whisking.
  • Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until slightly thickened and able to coat the back of a spoon (160°F on your candy thermometer), 2-3 minutes. Do not bring to a boil.
  • Strain eggnog through a mesh strainer to remove any bits of egg. Cover and refrigerate.
  • If desired, blend until smooth using an immersion blender.
  • Stir before serving to mix up any spices that have settled to the bottom. Serve chilled, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, if desired.
  • For an adult beverage, add alcohol to each cup to taste.

Notes

  • Be sure to use heavy whipping cream. Do not substitute for light cream or half-and-half.
  • This eggnog is extra sweet to balance out any added liquor. If you plan to drink this eggnog without alcohol, consider decreasing the sugar to 1/2 cup.
  • If you love cinnamon, increase the amount to 1/4 teaspoon.
  • If you don't have a candy thermometer: At 160°F, the eggnog should coat the back of a spoon.
  • Consider adding the following liquors: Whiskey, Spiced Rum, Brandy, Bailey's.
  • Save your egg whites to make an egg white omelette or whisk with 2 whole eggs for scrambled eggs, either for breakfast or with fried rice. Alternatively: use them for meringue cookies or pie or royal icing for sugar cookies.