Eggnog: Better—and Safer—with Age | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

Does eggnog get better with age? ›

The unanimous verdict: Alongside a fresh batch, which tasted comparatively boozy and harsh, our aged nog went down more smoothly. To age your favorite eggnog recipe, be sure to use 1 1/2 ounces of 80 proof liquor for every egg, and leave out the dairy until serving.

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Heavy cream will make your eggnog thicker and creamier. Boozy eggnog will also continue to thicken in the fridge as it ages.

Safety. Century eggs prepared in traditional ways are generally safe to consume. However, there have been incidents of malpractice in century egg production that causes eggs to be contaminated.

When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.

Yes, you can freeze eggnog! Freezing this egg fortified beverage is a great way to extend the shelf life of this festive tipple. Made from milk, cream, raw eggs, sugar, alcohol (normally rum, whisky or bourbon) and other flavor enhancers like vanilla, eggnog can be kept in the freezer for a later date.

Bacteria (including Salmonella) cannot live in alcohol. And the more alcohol you use, the longer the eggnog will stay fresh in your fridge. If you'd like to read more about why it's safe to drink classic eggnog recipes like this one, check out this article: Why You Shouldn't Fear the Eggnog.

Choose The Right Spirit

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

The Best Eggnog: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog

“It has a lovely golden color with small flecks of grated nutmeg,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. While only a sprinkling is used, even in homemade recipes, this baking spice really makes this Christmastime drink taste like the holiday season.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe.

Best Eggnog to Spike: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog

It's not all that surprising that the team behind Southern Comfort whiskey knows how to make a booze-friendly eggnog. “This is thick, rich and pleasantly sweet thanks to baking spices,” one editor said.

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

“Think what's in it: heavy cream, milk, sugar, whipped eggs and alcohol.” And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

Seal and store in fridge. You can enjoy right away or let it “age” for weeks or even months. The longer it sits, the better it gets. Before serving, make sure to shake contents for any settling that has occurred.

Eggnog can be all year or all season: your choice!

While some folks prefer to make their 'nog, the reality is that sometimes you just want to have a carton of eggnog handy for serving guests, using in recipes or just enjoying on your own time. Part of what makes eggnog so fun is all the stuff that you can pair it with.

Generally, you can expect a safely-refrigerated, opened bottle to last for 3-5 days. That's plenty of time to whip up another batch of eggnoggy goodness, or share the wealth with some thirsty friends. But even the best-behaved eggnog can turn.