A drink that warms your heart and feels like a big hug in a mug is the best thing you can have over the holidays.
This Gingerbread Eggnog does just that! It tastes like Christmas and is creamy with all the warm flavors of gingerbread.
Kids will love it (without the alcohol, of course), and adults can add a little something extra if they want to.
I started cooking this a few years ago, and now it’s a holiday tradition in our family.
This is the recipe for you if you want to make something unique while wrapping gifts, throwing a party, or having a movie night.
Let’s make it together!
What You Will Need
Things you need:
- Four cups of whole milk
- One cup of heavy cream
- Four big egg yolks
- 1/2 cup of sugar in granules
- 1/3 cup of molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of powdered cloves
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- A little bit of salt
- 1/2 cup of bourbon, rum, or brandy (optional, for adults)
- Whipped cream to put on top
- Ground nutmeg or cinnamon (for garnish)
- Cinnamon stick (for decoration)
Things to use:
- A medium-sized saucepan
- Whisk
- Bowl for mixing
- Strainer with fine mesh
- Ladle
- Spoon
- Cups or mugs made of glass
How to Make Eggnog with Gingerbread
- Warm up the cream and milk
Put the milk, heavy cream, molasses, and a bit of salt in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, heat it up until it’s warm and steamy, but don’t let it boil. - Beat the sugar and egg yolks together.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks together until the mixture is pale and a little bit thick. - Make the eggs temperate
While constantly whisking, slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks. This helps the eggs warm up slowly so they don’t scramble. Put the egg mixture back in the saucepan after it has been mixed.
- Cook and add spices.
Over medium heat, whisk the eggnog constantly until it thickens a little and coats the back of a spoon. Add the vanilla extract, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. - Cool and Strain
To capture any lumps, pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a clean basin or pitcher. Let it get down to room temperature, then put it in the fridge to cool down. - Serve and Enjoy
Pour the cold eggnog into mugs or glasses, add whipped cream, cinnamon or nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick for decoration.
Tips for Pros
- Use fresh spices: Spices lose their strength over time. Your eggnog will taste great with fresh ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Whisk All the Time: When you heat the mixture, whisk it all the time so the eggs don’t scramble. Nobody wants pieces of eggs in their eggnog!
- Taste Test for Spice: After the eggnog is done, taste it and change the spices if they need to be. Some people like it spicier, and others like it less.
- Cool Before Adding Alcohol: If you’re going to add alcohol, make sure the eggnog has cooled down a bit so that the alcohol doesn’t evaporate.
- Skip the alcohol and let the kids add whipped cream, sprinkles, or even little gingerbread cookies on top for a fun twist.
Changes and Substitutions
- Milk: If you don’t want dairy, you can use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Can’t find molasses? Instead, use dark brown sugar. It will still taste great.
- Spices: Make your own spice combination! Do you like cardamom or allspice? For a unique touch, add a pinch.
- Sugar: Use maple syrup or honey instead of granulated sugar as a natural sweetener.
- Non-Alcoholic: For a drink that everyone in the family may enjoy, skip the alcohol.
Tips for Making Ahead
You can make the eggnog as early as two days before you want to drink it. Put it in the fridge in a container that is tightly sealed and stir or whisk it well before serving. The tastes will actually improve as they sit!
Storing and using leftovers
You may keep leftover eggnog in the fridge for up to three days if you put it in a container that doesn’t let air in. Before serving, just stir or shake it. Use it as creamer in your daily coffee or sprinkle it over pancakes for a unique twist on leftovers!
In conclusion
This Gingerbread Eggnog is like magic in a cup for the holidays. It’s rich, warm, and full of holiday flavors that everyone in the family will enjoy.
This recipe will make your holiday season a little happier, whether you’re drinking it by the fire or at a party.