Aged Eggnog in September

[HotSun]

I've warned you all about weird stuff happening in my kitchen. Well, I stumbled across this recipe for aged eggnog a few years ago in the quiet time between Christmas and New Years, preparing Alton Brown's version of rib roast (my go-to, FYI). I keep forgetting to make it in the fall. Well not this year...I put it on my whiteboard in the kitchen a couple months ago to remind and I finally made it last night, exactly three months before Christmas.

This recipe has several of the vices of modern man: alcohol, sugar, nutmeg (look it up, lol), and saturated fat. Which is why we indulge at the appropriate time.

Ingredients: egg yolks, sugar, fresh ground nutmeg, half and half, milk, heavy cream, bourbon, cognac, and Jamaican rum.

I cleared out all my liquor earlier this year, so this is what I had to acquire for the recipe (cheaper bourbon and rum, decent VSOP cognac). I use my alcohol for cooking and baking, primarily...not trying to impress anyone.😀


Beating egg, nutmeg, and sugar:

After blending in dairy and booze:


Jarred and ready to chill for three months; yield 102 fluid ounces:


Notes:

• I forgot how good the smell of freshly grated nutmeg is. If you are ever sad or depressed, just grate some nutmeg; immediate mood booster. I tossed my old ground nutmeg and replaced with the fresh stuff.
• I don't know why Alton Brown had half-and-half, heavy cream and milk. You can eliminate at least one of the ingredients and adjust if it is milkfat content you're aiming for. The only thing I could think is that it is easier to just pick up pints (the measurements in the recipe) and add them. I keep all three, generally. I'll figure it out and adjust my version to simplify.
• The words 'aged eggnog' sound scary to me. So this was a leap of faith. Given the alcohol and sugar level, I'm not too worried.
• A pound of sugar is a lot of sugar.
• This eggnog has got to beat the heck of out the store bought stuff.

That's it until December. If it kills me when I drink it, just know that I've had a good run (kidding of course). Looking forward to trying this.

Recipe:
https://altonbrown.com/recipes/aged-eggnog/

[Purc]

Love Eggnog. I will have to give this a try. When I lived on the Mtn in TN, we had a annual progressive Christmas Dinner/Party in our cul de sac. One friend made fresh and potent eggnog every year. In 30 years, we only got sick once, blaming the eggnog.

[Michael_in_TX]

That eggnog recipe is not messing around!

[Santamarina]

I have an unhealthy love of eggnog. For more than a decade I’ve said I should make my own. Still haven’t done it. Will this finally be the reminder to make an aged eggnog?

…probably not, but a boy can dream!

[HotSun]

Santamarina , it's easy. Hardest part was getting all the ingredients together. Second hardest part is the waiting....

[jayjordan]

I think I would have to take Alton’s suggestion to use pasteurized eggs. I wonder if vacuum sealing the jars would change the flavor?

[SheilaAnn]

I would think not…..

[HotSun]

Interesting thought. I wouldn't think the flavor would change given the amount of alcohol. There would be minimal oxidation/chemical reaction, but that might be noticeable after a very long time, along the lines of blended and aged liquors (arminac, cognac, etc.), but that is an entirely different experiment, lol.

[klflowers]

Unfortunately I use my alcohol mostly for drinking

[HotSun]

I assure you sir, this will get drunk.

[klflowers]

HotSun I don't get drunk anymore. Or if I do, I don't remember

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I age my eggnog by forgetting to put it into the fridge and leaving it out for a week.

[SheilaAnn]

Not really a like….🤢

[HotSun]

Ha...yours lasts that long?

[texastweeter]

I use his recipe, but combine all the alcohols into just bourbon. Once you have aged eggnog, you will never go back.

[HotSun]

I would probably go the other direction to the cognac, as that is what I serve off-the-shelf eggnog with. I may do a split batch with each liquor to see what I end up with.

[texastweeter]

Southern comfort seems to be the one i use the most.

[SheilaAnn]

A former employer would make us all “bourbon cream” which was Evan Williams and heavy cream that “aged” for a while.

[texastweeter]

Getting close to the time of year that a local somebody will be making batches of "Bear Trap" moonshine... thats another good one.

[SheilaAnn]

texastweeter 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I guess I meant “unofficial” proof 🤪

[Oak Smoke]

If it’s anything like what we used to get in Wynnewood, Oklahoma it’s a multi purpose wonder. It is a great paint remover even after spending a short amount of time in a stomach. It’s good fuel for your zippo lighter. In a tight spot it will work as fuel for your car. Mixed 50/50 with tequila to calm it down a bit it makes a great tequila sunrise. It is probably the best thing on the planet for removing inhibitions. A few ounces of it and you will see just how uninhibited someone can get.

[texastweeter]

SheilaAnn Oak Smoke well, let's just say I wouldn't pour it into Styrofoam cups.

[dpearce]

I gotta try this!

I'll just leave this right here to remind myself!

[HotSun]

Hilarious.

[SheilaAnn]

Quite!

[jfmorris]

I guess the alcohol content kills the bacteria and prevents spoilage of the eggs over that 3 month aging period?

Sadly I have never been able to make myself like eggnog. The texture is just off-putting to me, personally. My wife and some of the kids like it.

[texastweeter]

The sugar is a preservative as well.

[realdocBBQ]

I guess the alcohol content kills the bacteria and prevents spoilage of the eggs over that 3 month aging period?

Sadly I have never been able to make myself like eggnog. The texture is just off-putting to me, personally. My wife and some of the kids like it.

I love the RIGHT eggnogg. Around here, Braum's is the right eggnog, without a doubt.

Although, I prolly shouldn't drink it much... lotta calories and sugar in there. We look forward to 'eggnog season' every year, but I think last year I only drank it maybe 2-3 times. I'll have to restrict myself again this year. The old waistline has gotten way too expansive again. <sigh>

[Purc]

I have a Braum's very close to me and I still forget about them but I will try their eggnog.

[realdocBBQ]

Oh man, if they have it, you really should try it. It is head and shoulders above every other one I have tried.

[SheilaAnn]

My sissy loves Braums.