Salted Caramel Eggnog
The holidays make me want to drink warm, sweet, and creamy drinks, and this Salted Caramel Eggnog is all of those things in one tasty cup! It has a lot of flavor, is smooth and creamy, and has the ideal amount of sweet caramel and a little salt in each sip.
This drink will undoubtedly steal the show, whether you’re hosting a holiday party or having a Christmas movie night with your family.
I started preparing this a few years ago when I wanted something extra special for Christmas Eve, and now it’s a tradition. The best part? You can leave off the alcohol to make it kid-friendly, or you can add a splash of rum or bourbon for the grownups. It feels like a giant holiday embrace, whether it’s this way or another.
Ingredients
For the eggnog:
- Four big egg yolks
- 1/2 cup of sugar in granules
- Two cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the salted caramel:
- 1/2 cup of sugar in a bowl
- Three tablespoons of room-temperature unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream that has been warmed
- 1/2 teaspoon of flaky sea salt
Toppings (not required, but fun!):
- Cream that has been whipped
- Store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
- A pinch of flaky sea salt
- A stick of cinnamon or some grated nutmeg
Things You’ll Need
- A medium-sized saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing dish that can handle heat
- Spoons and cups for measuring
- Candy thermometer (not needed, but handy)
How to Do It
- Make the sauce for the caramel.
Put the sugar in a medium pot and cook it over medium heat until it reaches a dark amber color. Slowly stir in the warm heavy cream after carefully whisking in the butter. Take off the heat and mix in the flaky sea salt. Let it cool down a bit.
- Beat the Egg Yolks
In a bowl that won’t break when heated, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until they are light and creamy. - Warm up the milk and cream
Put the milk, heavy cream, nutmeg, and cinnamon in the same pot. Warm it up slowly over medium heat until it starts to steam but doesn’t boil. - Get the Eggs Ready
Slowly add a tiny bit of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture while whisking the egg yolks all the time. Add the rest slowly, whisking until the mixture is smooth. - Mix Everything Together
Put the tempered egg mixture back in the saucepan and simmer it over low heat, stirring all the time, until it thickens a little and coats the back of a spoon. Take off the heat and mix in the vanilla essence. - Add the caramel and serve.
Mix the caramel sauce into the eggnog base. If you want, you can pour the mixture into cups and add whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkling of flaky sea salt, and a cinnamon stick.
Tips for Success
- How to Temper Eggs Like a Pro: When you add the heated milk to the eggs, do so slowly and keep whisking. This stops the eggs from getting scrambled (no one likes eggy bits in their drink!).
- Don’t Forget the Sea Salt: The flaky sea salt is what makes this drink stand out. It properly complements the sweetness of the caramel.
- Friendly for making ahead: You may make the foundation for the eggnog and the caramel sauce a day ahead of time and keep them in separate containers. When you’re ready to serve, just heat them up!
- If you’re new to cooking caramel, a candy thermometer will assist you not burn it. Try to get a light amber color.
- Serve it how you want: Change the amount of sweetness or spice to suit your family’s taste. You may even put it over ice to make it cold.
Changes and Substitutions
- If you don’t want to use dairy, you can use almond milk or oat milk instead. Just so you know, it won’t be as creamy.
- Add a touch of rum, bourbon, or spiced brandy for the grownups to make it boozy.
- Sugar Options: For a richer flavor, use coconut sugar or light brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
Ideas for Storing and Using Leftovers
You may keep leftover eggnog in the fridge for up to three days in a container that won’t let air in. Before reheating on the stove over low heat, mix well. Don’t microwave it; you want to warm it up slowly so the texture stays smooth.
This Salted Caramel Eggnog is more than simply a drink; it’s a memory of the holidays waiting to happen. Everyone will love it, whether it’s the kids sucking the whipped cream off the top or the adults enjoying the hint of caramel with a dash of rum.
Let me know how it turned out when you prepare this recipe! Did you put your own spin on it? Please leave a comment and tell us about your holiday magic.