Important Egg Nog Tips

We're big fans of this classic Christmas cocktail, but there are a few important tips to keep in mind when making and enjoying egg nog during the holidays.

Always Use Fresh Eggs

Since most eggnog recipes require raw eggs as an ingredient, it is extremely important that you use the freshest eggs possible. When in doubt, throw them out. It is best to buy a large, fresh batch of eggs produced locally when making eggnog.

The Fresh Egg Test

First, place each egg in a deep bowl filled with water.

The freshest eggs will sink to the bottom and lie on their sides.

Fairly fresh eggs will lie on the bottom but will stand upright or bottom-side up. This means that some air has crept into the egg, making it more buoyant than the freshest eggs. These eggs are still okay to consume.

Floating eggs should be discarded, as too much air has entered beneath the egg shell. If air has had enough time to enter, so has bacteria - avoid a nasty case of salmonella by throwing out the floaters.

Consistency is Key

The "ideal" eggnog texture differs for everyone. However, it is important that your eggnog be thick enough to avoid seeming watery without being so thick that it is undrinkable.

One way to strike a good texture balance is to always separate the eggs before beating. To get that fluffy texture, beat the whites just before adding them to the milk.

Looking to enjoy egg nog this year, but prefer a less traditional approach? Check out our egg nog martini recipe!