Family Eggnog Recipe

Eggnog seems to be a somewhat polarizing holiday tradition. People either love it—waiting in line to get it in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and drinking as much as possible throughout the season—or they absolutely can’t stand the stuff. I have to admit, until I met my husband, I didn’t think much about eggnog at all. I liked it as a kid, but never gave it much thought as a teen or adult. That’s why I was so surprised when my husband explained that this eggnog recipe was often the centerpiece of his family’s holiday celebrations.

This family recipe, passed down for multiple generations, actually started as a completely homemade eggnog. The version we use today is a dressed-up take on store-bought eggnog, and when I tasted it for the first time, I was stunned. I had never had such a fluffy, balanced, and satisfying sip of eggnog in my life. The added ingredients—and the beating of the eggnog—create an ultra-creamy texture and help mellow out the strong egg flavor. We top ours with a little nutmeg and cinnamon, but there are several riffs you can try if you enjoy experimenting with holiday drink recipes. I’ll share the time-honored recipe with you below:

Supplies

• Easiest: Countertop stand mixer — I use this one
• Moderate: Electric hand mixer like this
• Difficult (and exhausting): A whisk and a large mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 1 quart eggnog (we use Southern Comfort brand)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 oz brandy
• 3 oz Meyer’s dark rum
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Fun fact: We use about half the alcohol from the original recipe, so if you want a stronger holiday cocktail feel free to increase the amounts.

Instructions

1. Pour the eggnog and heavy cream into the mixer and mix on medium speed for 3 minutes.
2. Increase the mixer to high speed and beat continuously for 10 minutes, adding the confectioners’ sugar one tablespoon at a time.
3. Reduce the mixer to medium, add the brandy and dark rum, and mix for 5 minutes.
4. Return the mixer to high speed and beat for another 20 minutes.
5. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Serve with a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Lastly, this eggnog is best served in festive drinkware. I used these gorgeous Waterford rocks glasses this time, but my favorite presentation was when we served it in my grandmother’s vintage red punch-bowl set. It instantly put us in the holiday spirit and made this classic Christmas eggnog recipe feel even more special. Let me know what you think in the comments if you try it!

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