Rich, creamy, and delicious eggnog is a popular holiday beverage flavored with several spices. So, what ingredients in eggnog make this drink so feisty? That is what we wish to share with you throughout this episode.
Eggnog is a unique drink that has a frothy and thick base. Flavoring of eggnog is mainly done by the spices, such as:
And as the name suggests, it is made with eggs, followed by other main ingredients like milk, cream, and sugar. In addition, certain recipes are spiked with alcohol, like rum, brandy, or bourbon.
So, let’s dig in for more information!
What Ingredients Are In Eggnog?
Spices
Spices in this beverage are actually considered the core ingredients. In fact, their potent flavors have the ability to balance out the overwhelming taste of eggs.
While the spices mentioned below are the key components in this drink, some varieties may also include ginger powder, pumpkin pie spice mix, or ground allspice.
01- Nutmeg
Grated nutmeg is one of the staple ingredients of eggnog. This spice offers its bright aroma with warm, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor notes.
Nutmeg is always used in moderation since it could overpower the overall taste of this drink. And it essentially pairs well with cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Plus, it complements the taste of eggs and milk, working as one of the best flavor enhancers.
02- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a true alchemist for eggnog, which functions as one of the main spices and also a garnishing. While powdered cinnamon flavors the recipe during preparation, ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks often embellish the drink when served.
This spice is gently aromatic but has a powerful taste with woody, sweet, slightly spicy, and citrusy notes. Cinnamon particularly teams up with cloves and also supports the flavors of vanilla and nutmeg.
03- Cloves
Ground cloves can be considered the most robustly flavored spice used in this drink. It has an intense aroma with a warm, pungent, bitter-sweet, and astringent bite.
In fact, the considerable heat in this spice gives a distinctive kick, making it an essential spice in eggnog. Cloves pair well with nutmeg and cinnamon while backing up the flavors of vanilla, milk, sugar, and eggs.
04- Vanilla
Vanilla is another staple in this beverage which helps to stabilize the overpowering eggy taste. Vanilla seeds are sometimes directly scraped from the pods to be incorporated into the eggnog. Or else vanilla essence is used in most recipes.
This spice has a lovely fragrance and a subtle, distinctive flavor profile with fruity, smoky, and sweet undertones. It pairs well with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg while complementing milk and cream in the drink.
What Are The Other Eggnog Ingredients?
Apart from the spices, other ingredients of this beverage could slightly vary depending on the recipe. However, the main ingredients come down to:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cream (heavy cream, light cream, whipped cream)
- Sugar
Moreover, while most kid-friendly eggnog recipes are un-spiked, some recipes might include alcohol like brandy, rum, or bourbon. And adding alcohol is completely a personal choice.
Be balanced like Eggnog- delicious either way, spiked or unspiked!
SpiceRally
What Does Eggnog Taste Like?
Eggnog is a very sweet drink. It is rich, creamy, smooth, and tastes more like a loose custard or melted ice cream. And the spices like vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg give this drink a special punch.
However, if you add alcohol to this beverage, the taste might slightly change, making it a bit more complex with a heavy warmth.
Know The Ingredients- Enjoy Your Eggnog To The Fullest!
This drink is a hearty treat to enjoy during holidays and whenever it calls for a celebration. Its key ingredients, like eggs, milk, cream, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and sugar, get together and form a lavish blend to treat everyone equally!
