I don’t know about you but when Christmas is in the air, it’s time for my favorite, favorite drink…..
Can you guess what it is? It’s EGGNOG! I love it, in any shape or form and prefer it sans the alcohol….most of the time.
I even love the cheap stuff right out of the gallon jug at the supermarket (I know, I know, sometimes I’m desperate) or McDonald’s Eggnog Shakes. My obsession runs deep with this one.
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However, several years ago I started making my own Chai Eggnog and I’ve never looked back. Of course Chai is another obsession, so when you combine the two…oh mercy.
This is the perfect warming drink for a cold Sunday morning, what a way to start the day.
Let’s make it…
Here’s what you will need: Fresh ginger, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, cardamom seeds, whole coriander seeds, whole black peppercorns, whole fennel seeds, Darjeeling tea bags, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, whole milk. Ingredients not shown: Water and ground nutmeg.
With a mortar and pestle crush fresh ginger, 15 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 a vanilla bean, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds, 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns and 1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds until coarsely ground. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, put the ginger and spices in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a meat mallet.
In a small saucepan bring spice mixture and 1 cup water to a simmer. Remove from heat and add 4 Darjeeling tea bags and steep for five minutes.
Whisk 4 egg yolks, 3/4 cup sugar and a pinch of table salt together in a saucepan while the tea is steeping. Gradually add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk, whisking until smooth. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is as thick as heavy cream. If you boil this the eggnog will curdle and you will have scrambled eggs in your nog.
Off heat, strain the tea into eggnog.
Serve in your favorite cup warm or chill until cold.
Sprinkle ground or fresh nutmeg on top for garnish. This eggnog is SO worth the effort. You might even forego Starbucks for this one.
And for those of you looking to put a little spring in your step, add a Tablespoon (or so) of brandy, rum or whiskey to your nog. If you are serving this warm, add liquor after straining the tea. If you are serving it cold, chill the eggnog and stir in the liquor just before serving.
More please!
Chai Eggnog
Adapted from Cuisine at Home
15 whole cloves
4 quarter-sized pieces of fresh ginger (1/2″ thick)
2 cinnamon sticks, broken up
1/2 vanilla bean, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
1 cup water
4 Darjeeling tea bags
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
Brandy, rum or whiskey, optional
Freshly grated or ground nutmeg
With a mortar and pestle crush fresh ginger, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, cardamom seeds, whole coriander seeds, whole black peppercorns and whole fennel seeds until coarsely ground. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, put the ginger and spices in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a meat mallet.
In a small saucepan bring spice mixture and water to a simmer. Remove from heat and add Darjeeling tea bags and steep for five minutes.
Whisk egg yolks, sugar and salt together in a saucepan while the tea is steeping. Gradually heavy cream and whole milk, whisking until smooth. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is as thick as heavy cream. If you boil this the eggnog will curdle and you will have scrambled eggs in your nog. Off heat, strain the tea into eggnog.
Serve in your favorite cup warm or chill until cold. Sprinkle ground or fresh nutmeg on top for garnish.
For those wanting to add liquor, a Tablespoon (or so) of brandy, rum or whiskey will usually be sufficient. If you are serving this warm, add liquor after straining the tea. If you are serving it cold, chill the eggnog and stir in the liquor just before serving.
Happy nogging!
Laura says
This looks amazing.
I want some now.
bell says
This is a recipe for me to be excited about. I always have Chai Fraps so why not a delicious eggnog. This is a keeper Cathy!!!!
Doreen Frost says
This looks so tasty. I’ll be trying this one for sure.
:)Doreen
Stephanie says
You have combined my 2 favorite drinks. I used to go to Starbucks this time of year to indulge in their Eggnog Latte. No more! I can’t wait to brew this up for all those lovely spicy smells. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Bunny says
Ahhh the holidays …and the things we anticipate eating and drinking while they’re here. Good one Cathy!
Tracy says
Wow that certainly puts my eggnog and rum to shame. Love the flavors in this chai egg nog, i am going to make this for my christmas company.
Jenni in KS says
That looks delicious, but it looks like a lot of trouble to go to. A splash of rum or whiskey in a regular cup of coffee makes a nice addition though. Hot buttered rum/whiskey coffee is nice, too. It’s the little things that make it all worthwhile, you know. Good morning, and cheers!
Jennifer says
“Add a tablespoon (or so) of brandy, rum or whiskey” was the best line I’ve ever read in a recipe. 🙂
Ms Whits Recipes says
I love eggnog. Can’t wait to try this.
Mental P Mama says
Would you please send me some of this when you send my cookies for the cookie exchange? kthnx
Scary Mommy says
I have the same egg nog addiction and this looks amazing. And quite healthy, too 😉
Asthmagirl says
At last! Someone that shares my love of egg nog! (and chai) This looks awesome…
Leah - Chef Maven says
Superbly and Simply Brilliant~!
Photos as always really show off so well your efforts, this sounds and looks to good, you want to move yourself forwward to ‘lick’ the screen – or at the very least reach inside your monitor to grab the mug and have a sip….
thanks for sharing yet another wonderful recipe!
HoneyB says
Let me just say….YUM! I want mine w/ a little brandy though. 😉
shonda says
When I saw the photo of all the hooch, I knew you were thinking of me.
ELRA says
Perfect for the season, Cathy.
It looks absolutely irresistible!
Marjie says
I love eggnog, too, even supermarket stuff. My grandmother was allergic to eggs, so her solution to eggnog was: Soften vanilla ice cream. Add rum. Lots of rum. Stir and serve. You’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do for eggnog!
Barbie with a T says
That eggnog makes me yearn for a nice cup for breakfast this morning. I have some in the carton in the fridge, but that good old homemade eggnog is the best. Your photos are perfect too. Love the cups! I have not had homemade eggnog in years, thanks to Schepp’s dairy. Still, I know homemade is the best.
Liz C. says
I’ve never been a huge fan of spiked egg nog (must have been the hangover I had from it once), but my family loves it, so I’m going to try this when they come home for Christmas. Thanks!
Flea says
Oh that looks yummy! I make the heavy, alcohol version. No cooking. And the grocery store stuff? Only a quarter of a cup to a cup of skim milk. Just too thick for me.
Alisa says
Anytime you bring out the mortar and pestle, you win. Hands down, you win.
tipper says
Perfect drink for cold weather!!
megan says
And to think, I almost gave my mortar and pestle away. I love eggnog and chai tea and to combine the two, well, lets just say it sounds like a cup of Christmas cheer!
Jennifer says
Stop the presses–I want this!! I’m an eggnog addict…
Joie de vivre says
I like the idea of cooking the eggs! I’ve seen some raw ones that I cringe at a little. Yours looks very yummy. I saw McD’s advertising the egg nog milkshake the other day and shuddered a little (but I’ve never tried it!) after your endorsement I may have to!
Cheryl says
A little eggnog in my tummy (and maybe even a little behind my ears) and I am ready for the holidays! 😉
Thanks for the recipes…and pictorial enticements!
Daily Diner says
Oh my that looks good.
Linda says
Ok, who wouldn’t love this? I love eggnog, I love chai tea … I think you’ve just made my day!
dlyn says
Oh my gosh Cathy – that looks fantastic!
Sweet Simplicity says
It looks really yummy, but I just can’t bring myself to drink eggnog.
lisaiscooking says
Chai + eggnog. What a great idea!
Sandie says
This is wonderful—I swear I can almost smell this through my monitor. I’m heading to the kitchen NOW to try this out…
Rachel (S[d]OC) says
My one issue with eggnog is that it’s often too thick and cloying. I usually enjoy it heavily spiked becasue of that. I would wager this probably changes the flavor and structure enough to make it worth trying without th booze.
Blond Duck says
I’ve never had egg nog. I feel so out of touch.
Pam says
Can I please have a cup of this tempting egg nog? It’s one of my very favorite drinks EVER but I’ve never thought to make my own. I love the chai twist to yours. Delicious!
TSannie says
Wish I had a cup right now! And with a shot of rum, of course!
pam says
I’ve never had homemade eggnog, and I’ve certainly never had “fancy” homemade eggnog!
Choosy Beggar Tina says
I love eggnog too, and yours looks delightful. I’m a sucker for anything Chai. I also like that there’s a bit less cream, so I could drink this and feel 50% less guilt as I guzzled down my portion and my boyfriend’s.
Last weekend I tried Candy Cane eggnog – verdict is NOT BAD!!!
Dr. John says
It looks great but just too much effort for a cup of egg nog unless your young.
RobinSue says
I’ll take mine with a little snort of whisky please! This is a very nice egg nog recipe, thanks!
Coast Rat says
Oh, that looks sooooooooooooooo gooooood!!!
Karen Deborah says
That does it I’m booking a flight. Loved your spread in the Davis magazine. Think I will come see you and just get schnockered. you game?
Wine Tasting Guy says
Look at you crushing up your Chai spices. Very cool. Looks great…and kinda like hard work.
I do however like the idea of spiking the tea with brandy/whiskey!!! 😉
Lori says
This sounds warm and comforting. Even though I’m in Hawaii, at work I’m freezing. I often wear a long sleeve sweater plus a fleece jacket!
Christie @ fig&cherry says
Chai eggnog is genius! I can smell the gorgeous aroma from Oz! 🙂
grace says
i can’t believe i don’t like eggnog, given the spices it usually contains. if ever i would like it, your version here would be the one. chai rules. 🙂
Suzette says
Mmmmmm! I love chai. And I love eggnog. Like you, I love even the grocery store stuff. One year when I was young, our local grocer was offloading his leftover nog for 10 cents a quart. (Yes…it was a long time ago!) My dad bought all he had and froze it. We ate it as ice cream for months. Wonderful!
Gotta try this stuff before the season gets much older!
Kathleen says
OMG….I want one…NOW !!!
I just have to say that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your site with all these fav recipes and stories…you’re amazing…don’t ever stop!!!
dawn says
I love how you think. We must have the same food cravings. Wouldn’t this flavor be good in some blondies?
I wish you and I could have a spiked up eggnog together. Maybe someday when I finally move back to cali.
Egghead says
Never been a fan of eggnog but I do like Chai tea. This might be worth trying.
Ron Merlin says
Beautiful Post. Good work. I wish the photography on my blog were as good. Do you mind if I ask what camera you use?
http://themerlinmenu.blogspot.com
RecipeGirl says
Oh Yeah,… just what I’ve been looking for. A good drink to get schnockered off of on Christmas Eve. I’m in charge of Christmas Eve this year, and this is gonna be the drink!!
[eatingclub] vancouver || js says
Love, love your chai eggnog! I could use a cup right now.
Kristin says
Are you kidding me? Combining Chai and Eggnog…I am officially in paradise! And I have the real chai from India…I can’t wait to surprise the family with this little treat. Great photos as always!
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Sabrina says
This looks really tasty – but how many cups/mugs/ounces does it make?