Preparation, uses, and tips
Traditionally, eggnog was made a month before Christmas and allowed to age. However, given
the salmonella risk associated with consuming raw eggs, the preparation of eggnog has been
updated.
Eggnog should be served cold—it should not sit at room temperature.
Replace raw eggs with either a pasteurized egg substitute or with eggs that have been
pre-pasteurized. You can pasteurize eggs at home by heating them until they adhere to the
surface of a spoon (slowly heat the eggs to 160°F, or 71°C). In some eggnog recipes,
the entire batch is cooked to destroy bacteria.
In preparing eggless nog, French vanilla pudding makes a good egg substitute. If
you’d like to make dairy-free eggnog, replace the milk with fresh or canned coconut milk.
Buying and storing tips
Set the pitcher of eggnog in a bed of ice to keep it at a safe temperature at the table.
Never let eggnog sit unrefrigerated for longer than two hours.
Varieties
There are dozens of ways to make eggnog—there are even recipes for eggless eggnog.
Most recipes start with the basic ingredients:
-
Eggs.
-
Cream or milk, or a combination of the two.
-
Sugar or another sweetener.
-
Nutmeg, cinnamon, or vanilla flavoring.
-
If you’re including alcohol, brandy, rum, whiskey, cognac, or perhaps hazelnut
liqueur.
Nutrition Highlights
Eggnog, 1 cup (254g)
Calories: 342
Protein: 9.7g
Carbohydrate: 34g
Total Fat: 19g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (330mg)
*Good source of: Magnesium (47mg), Potassium (420mg), and Vitamin A (894 IU)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.