Description
This cozy Eggnog For One recipe blends warm milk, cream, and egg yolk with aromatic spices and your choice of rum, bourbon, whisky, or brandy. Perfectly tempered and gently cooked for a creamy, velvety texture, this single-serving eggnog is an ideal festive treat that can be enjoyed warm or chilled, topped with whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Flavorings & Alcohol
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 shot rum, bourbon, whisky, or brandy
Optional Topping
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Warm the milk and cream: In a 1-quart saucepan, gently heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until the mixture just begins to simmer, creating a warm base without boiling.
- Whisk egg mixture: In a small bowl, combine the egg yolk, granulated sugar, and ground nutmeg, whisking until smooth and evenly mixed to prepare the rich, spiced egg base.
- Temper the egg mixture: Slowly add one tablespoon at a time of the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking continuously. Incorporate about half the milk this way to gently raise the egg yolk’s temperature, preventing curdling.
- Combine and cook: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk blend. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly for approximately 10 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 160°F (71°C) and thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon without boiling.
- Add vanilla extract: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the aroma and flavor.
- Serve and chill: Pour the finished eggnog into a mug and add a shot of your preferred spirit—rum, bourbon, whisky, or brandy. For optimal flavor, chill for at least 30 minutes. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
- Temper the egg mixture carefully to avoid scrambled eggs.
- Do not boil the eggnog to maintain a smooth and creamy texture.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste or substitute with a sugar alternative.
- Chilling the eggnog enhances its flavors but it can also be served warm.
- Always use fresh eggs to ensure safety when consuming lightly cooked eggs.
- Alcohol is optional; omit for a non-alcoholic version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: eggnog for one, single serving eggnog, holiday drink, warm eggnog, creamy eggnog, spiced eggnog, homemade eggnog
