The festive tradition of drinking eggnog at Christmas, widely embraced by our American cousins across the pond, is steadily making its mark on British shores. However, this has left many Brits scratching their heads, with curious Reddit users asking: “What the hell is in eggnog? And what does it taste like? Why is it such a staple in the American Christmas season? “
Drawing from a traditional BBC recipe, the classic holiday beverage consists of 6 medium eggs, 150g of golden caster sugar, 100ml whole milk, 400ml double cream, 350ml rum, bourbon or a combo of both to your liking, topped off with freshly grated nutmeg for that quintessential Christmas zing.
The BBC shared an insight into the drink’s hearty past, stating: “This deliciously creamy eggnog recipe is a little taste of Christmas history. George Washington, the first American president, even made his own eggnog, and is very clear about ageing it for a few days to let the flavour mellow.”
How to make eggnog
If you fancy whipping up some eggnog yourself, start by whisking the egg yolks with 100g/31⁄2 oz of the caster sugar until it turns pale yellow and thick. Next, blend in the milk, double cream, and spirits. Season with nutmeg to taste and decant the concoction into two large bottles before chilling in the fridge for up to a fortnight.
Remember to stow the egg whites in the freezer until it’s time to serve. When you’re ready to serve up the festive treat, start by defrosting the egg whites into either a metal or glass bowl. Whisk them until they transform into a foamy and opaque mixture.
Sprinkle in 50g of sugar and continue to beat the whites until you achieve soft peaks. Then, gently pour the eggnog from your bottles into a capacious bowl and carefully fold in the previously whisked egg whites until seamlessly blended.
For a final touch, grace each glass with a dusting of fresh nutmeg, customised to each guest’s taste. Despite the classic drink’s sticklers, not everyone is tantalised by its unique composition.
A dubious Reddit user expressed their hesitation: “I’ve never had it either. I’m 33 and I still carry that childhood mentality of ‘ew gross’ and thinking I’m drinking raw eggs.”
Echoing this sentiment, another critic labelled it as “Boozy raw eggs…” On the flip side, one commenter offered an enticing comparison: “It tastes a lot like thin melted vanilla ice cream with brandy or whisky in it – if you are trying to imagine.”
Another chimed in praising the beverage: “It’s a sweet, thick drink made of milk, cream, sugar, and whipped egg whites. Traditionally, it also has rum or whiskey in it, as well. It’s good. It has a milky, creamy taste, but the thickness of it turns some people off of it.”
