This month we present the perfect drink to share with friends and family over the holiday season! I grew up with this recipe and I must warn you right away, that it is slightly indulgent! Just look at those opulent ingredients; not, you will agree, for everyday use. Still, this drink is a long and delicious tradition and my guess is that it originates with the 17thand 18thcenturys’ love of ‘possets’ and other milky libations. I will offer the classic southern American version and then recommend a few modernizations.
Ingredients:
- 12 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 quart (1 litre) milk
- 20 ounces whiskey (Irish whiskey in my house)
- 8 ounces brandy
- 4 ounces dark rum
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
- Freshly grated nutmeg
How to Prepare:
Get a beautiful large bowl ready. You can still find punch bowls in antique shops; traditionally crystal or silver would have been the preferred options. Nowadays anything goes - I used our Large Bowl in Fuchsia. In a separate bowl, beat your eggs until they begin to froth and then slowly pour in the sugar. Beat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Slowly add the alcohol and milk and stir in. Whip your cream separately and then gently fold into your mixture. A few globs of cream here and there are allowable; pour all into your serving bowl.
Now for the fun part! Surround this with pretty cups and a ladle. On the side, add a whole nutmeg and nutmeg grater (pre-grated, store bought nutmeg will do, as long as it’s fresh) and invite your guests to partake. After ladling the drink into your cups, it is essential to add nutmeg to the top of each serving. This should serve at least 12 although it depends on size of your ‘punch’ cups.
In its original era, this eggnog’s eggs would have been smaller, so you can reduce the number of eggs to eight without sacrificing any of the quality. You could also cut back on the alcohol content if you wished. Finally, this was always served in the morning in my home, but it’s also a fantastic beverage to serve to guests arriving in from the cold! Let us know how your guests enjoy the drink in the comments below or on our Twitter & Facebook pages!