Recommendations: Here's how to make a perfect and easy Eggnog Cocktail on Christmas Day
More importantly, here's how NOT to do it. Don't put that bullsh*t premixed stuff in a bottle in your glass.
This is a tip of the cap to my mama, who put me onto using brandy in egg nog.
Once December rolled around on the calendar, one could be guaranteed to see my mother returning from the grocery store with Homeland brand Egg Nog and a bottle of brandy of her choosing:
If she was keeping it simple: E&J Brandy
If she was keeping it fancy: Asbach Uralt 3 Yr
If she was living that good life: Courvoisier VS
After unfurling her selection from the paper bag, she’d cut on some Isley Brothers and get to mixing. By mixing, I mean she’d glug some egg nog into a red cup filled with ice, then top it with brandy and give it a good stir. No measurements, just feel.
While my mom’s method would produce a buzzy holiday spirit while unwrapping gifts and watching the NBA + NFL, as I grew to be an adult, replicating that beverage became a bit of a challenge.
How do I not get wasted on one glass while keeping the drink still potent, delicious and egg nog-esque? Here are my recommendations.
ONE: Choose your spirit with care. Â
Brandy, Cognac and rum are your best friends here because you’re pairing the sweetness of the spirit with the spice of the egg nog. You can go bourbon and whiskey, but I’d consider using a lower-proof spirit if you can. More on that in a moment.
TWO: Take the time to measure.
It’s pretty difficult to mess up an egg nog cocktail, but if you actually want it to be delicious, stick to the measurables. Pour five ounces of egg nog for every one ounce of spirit. If you use anything over 100 proof, go six ounces.
A thing I like to do because I like my drink cold. Pour the spirit and egg nog into a mixing glass with ice and stir for 15-30 seconds, then strain into a fancy-looking glass.
THREE: Don’t use your best stuff. Don’t use the cheap stuff either.
Personal preference here. Don’t use anything you wouldn’t use in a cocktail. Also, don’t use anything that you’d only sip neat or on special occasions. My go-to’s:
Rum: Appleton Estate Reserve 8 Year
Brandy: Asbach Uralt
Cognac: Pierre Ferrand 1840
Whiskey: George Dickel Rye
Bourbon: Treaty Oak Red Handed
FOUR: Go the extra mile in 30 secondsÂ
Dash some nutmeg for some additional spicy sweetness along with a grating of orange peel for added aroma. You now have an Instagrammable drink.
And that’s it. You now have a perfect egg nog cocktail. Make this for your partner, family members and for yourself. They all deserve a treat during this holiday season. Take a pic and share it with me if you decide to make one. Be blessed and have a Merry Christmas.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter and know other enthusiasts of whiskey, cocktails and appreciators of black creatives, consider sharing this with them. Because I have an insatiable curiosity about all things brown liquor. From the distillation process to the regionality of various spirits, from the unlimited ways to cocktail to how drinks with friends can make one’s day, and how these experiences have had a profound impact on my life. Thank you for your consideration.
bonus: fancy glass, v important. Really enjoyed this post, thanks Eddy!