Recipe for making an eggnog

For the end of the year celebrations, we love to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere with dishes that will whet our taste buds. Let's reconnect with traditions, and prepare recipes that our grandmothers already prized like eggnog (or eggnog in English). We are going to make this hot milk-based drink available for everyone to enjoy with pleasure. With or without alcohol, traditional or funky, and even in a vegan version, here are our eggnog recipes.

When eggnog was a remedy …

Originally, eggnog was a restorative recipe. We find traces of it since the Middle Ages, at the time, we called it the "posset", and it was already a drink made from milk. Then during the Renaissance, we added eggs and sometimes even figs. Which made it a drink rather intended for wealthy people.

Eggnog has long remained a drink intended to restore energy, a remedy for grandmothers. An invigorating hot drink therefore, because it is loaded with carbohydrates, and also useful for people with a protein deficiency. For a long time, it was administered more specifically to children.
In the 19th century, we even talk about it in Madame Bovary, since this drink is prescribed for the heroine by the pharmacist in Flaubert's novel!
Today, children will be served non-alcoholic eggnog, while adults can enjoy the traditional recipe with rum, brandy or whiskey.

The recipe for alcohol-free eggnog

As the end of year celebrations approach, we crave gourmet drinks and this preparation based on hot milk, egg yolk and spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla …) caresses our palace. Here is the traditional recipe for eggnog, to share with children since it does not contain alcohol.

Ingredients for 4 persons :

40 cl of milk
4 egg yolks
10 cl of cream
2 cinnamon sticks
1 sachet of vanilla sugar
4 tbsp caster sugar, preferably brown

Preparation in 10 minutes:

Mix the sugar (brown + vanilla) with the eggs, beating them to obtain a frothy mixture.
Simmer and not boil the milk with the cinnamon sticks. Over low heat, pour the egg and sugar mixture into the milk and stir.
Serve immediately.

Good to know : Use organic and extra fresh eggs because your yolk does not really cook.

Maybe you eat some cookies with your eggnog?
>>> See also in video, cookies with only 3 ingredients:

Video by Anne-Laure Mayor

Eggnog with spices

Ingredients for 4 pers.

80 g sugar
4 egg yolks
60 cl of milk
20 cl of whipping cream
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 large pinch of nutmeg
Some also add a star anise flower (star anise) on the drink when finished

Quick preparation:

Heat the milk, with the cream and cinnamon so that the flavors infuse.
Separately, mix the eggs and the sugar. Then once the creamy milk mixture is simmering, immediately pour over the eggs and sugar and whisk off the heat.
Serve with a pinch of nutmeg.



© iStock

American eggnog, the famous "eggnog"

Ingredients for 4 persons

4 egg yolks
90 g sugar
60 cl of milk
20 cl of liquid cream
1 sachet of vanilla sugar
12 cl of brandy (cognac works very well)
Cinnamon powder

Preparation in 10 min

1. Beat the yolks with the sugar until it foams a little (the sugar should be melted into the yolks).
2. In a small saucepan, heat the milk with the cream, and as soon as it simmers, pour off the heat onto the cream + yolks, whisking.
3. While continuing to whisk to mix well, pour in the brandy and divide into cups, ideally in glass to respect tradition!
4. Sprinkle with cinnamon just before serving.

A vegan eggnog, without eggs therefore, it is possible!

Ingredients for 4 persons

80 cl of almond or soy milk
20 cl of soy or almond cream
100 g of cane sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 pinch of nutmeg powder
1 pinch of vanilla powder (or the seeds of an open pod)
2 tbsp of cornstarch
optional : 1 large cap of dark rum

To note : If you use rice or oat milk, know that their consistency is very watery and the recipe will therefore be less greedy. However, you can also use coconut milk, but then reduce the dose of coconut cream. Eggnog with coconut milk will have a very exotic flavor!

Preparation in 15 minutes

1. In a saucepan, pour the milk with the cream (and rum if you use it), and mix with the sugar and the spices. Heat over medium heat.
2. Pour the starch in a fine rain, through a sieve or a Chinese, and keep turning constantly with a whisk. Be careful not to make lumps.
3. Whisk until it starts to boil. When your preparation begins to foam, stir vigorously with a whisk.
4. As soon as the mixture thickens, remove from the heat and continue whisking for another 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Serve immediately with a pinch of cinnamon or brown sugar on top.

And also for comfort in winter:
Do you know the golden milk or golden latte ?
12 variations of hot chocolate

Other variations of eggnog

  • You can choose to flavor your eggnog. Either with citrus zest, other spices (ginger, anise …) or cocoa, or even a mashed banana – especially if you prepare it with coconut milk, it's excellent.
  • You can also add whipped cream to your eggnog for a dessert side.
  • Finally, do not hesitate to use decorations such as multicolored vermicelli, white chocolate shavings or even edible golden powder.

Good shopping plan:
You will find pretty designer glass mugs, double-walled so you don't burn your fingers, at Bodum on Amazon. Click here.