You’re Drinking the Wrong Eggnog

Eggnog has been a part of American Christmas for centuries. There are rumors that George Washington has its own recipe. And that combination was the catalyst for the West Point riots in the early hours of Christmas Day 1826. Today, grocery store chain Kroger sells nearly 3 million gallons of the beverage each year.

But for a drink with so many traditions, eggnog has long graced Christmas tables. When? Buzz Feed Run an article in 2016 titled “Eggnog is delicious, and if you disagree, you’re wrong.,”Paired with a missionary on the same day as the drink call.”Definitely trash– In 2017 when today show Polling listeners on whether they liked eggnog or not, people were almost evenly divided. There’s a divide between people who think it’s disgusting and those who think it’s delicious. And these days, TikTok is full of videos of people. complain About the smell and taste of eggnog and others mixed in with it. Cereal and soda–

Growing up, I was never an egg lover. The non-alcoholic version my parents would buy from the store wasn’t bad. But it’s not good either. In the name of Christmas, I felt the need to swallow it down. But there’s sure to be a better alternative. Today, eggnog has become my favorite Christmas dessert. That all changed when I discovered there was a better eggnog hiding in plain sight. It is called coquito. The creation, which is sometimes called Puerto Rican eggnog, replaces the drink’s traditional cream and egg base with coconut milk and condensed milk. Puerto Ricans often make cocktails during the Christmas season. Then distribute it to friends. and neighbors That’s why classic eggnog dies for me: A few years ago, a Puerto Rican family moved across the street from my parents and gave us bottles of coquitos. The drink looked and smelled like eggnog, but upon my tongue, I also found it lighter. has more flavor And less exotic, however, in mainland America the Coquito is still a novelty. What if the problem with eggnog is that many of us drink the wrong kind?

Eggnog’s fundamental flaw is eggs. The drink’s raw eggs turn it into a simple vector. Salmonella– That can make Christmas so unhappy that it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and fever if you’re older or immunocompromised. Contaminated eggs can be fatal. In the early 1980s, five seniors died after drinking homemade eggnog at a nursing home in New Jersey.

I’m determined not to go to the bathroom this December. That’s when I decided to try out several eggnog recipes in hopes of better understanding the most hated Christmas drinks. The exact ingredients vary. But at its core, eggnog is eggs, cream, milk, sugar, and often liquor. (usually rum or whiskey) that is whisked together, the result, says host Dan Pashman. Sporty Podcasts are like More of a “drinkable alcoholic cake” than a traditional cocktail (eggnog lovers, he created The joy of cooking every year, which calls for 12 egg yolks, 1 pound of icing sugar, and 2 quarts of cream).

But making safe homemade eggnog is easier said than done. Most store-bought versions use pasteurized eggs. But I couldn’t find those eggs at my local Trader Joe’s. Aging with alcohol in the refrigerator has also been proven to kill bacteria. But my brain wouldn’t let me accept that it was okay to just let whatever sit there. Several weeks can make it happen. safer to consume, I find that heating eggs is the most durable solution. But the process of heating the cream is to slowly beat it into the egg bowl. Then letting it cool before serving is one hectic job.

Eggs don’t just make drinks risky. They’re also the reason why so many people find eggnog unappealing: the texture of traditional ice cream is cloudy. It’s closer to melted ice cream than anything else. Chefs try to solve this problem by whipping egg whites to add airiness. But even so The result is still very thick. And then there’s the taste of eggnog. James Briscione, chef and co-author of Taste MatrixTell me that most of the flavor from classic eggnog comes from the rum. Because of the cream and eggs “Both have a neutral flavor,” although those with discerning palates may taste the caramel notes given to rum from barrel aging. But what I tasted was boozy and dairy-free. Store-bought eggnog makes up for this lack of flavor with an extra dose of sugar and spice. Perhaps that’s why more than one online reviewer has compared it to cough syrup.

Either way There’s a better way to sip an alcoholic drink that actually tastes like cream. something without resorting to pre-made saccharine Instead of finding subtle coconut notes in Eggnog, Coquito brings the aroma front and center. And the main ingredients of the drink, coconut milk and rum, go together perfectly. “The fruity esters and tropical notes that come from the coconut work so well together. Maillard The flavor – toasting and roasting – that you see especially in rum,” says Briscione.

Coquito has no shortage of eggnog. The drink doesn’t need eggs to be fancy. It gets that texture by adding gooey sweetened condensed milk. (Some recipes call for condensed milk and coconut cream as well. which makes for a tastier drink) and is incredibly easy to make. When I made the drink earlier this month I cut my finger, opened a can of condensed milk and dropped the spoon into the blender with carelessness caused by pain. But the recipe also only takes five minutes to make. One of the classic egg recipes I make. This involves separating the egg yolk and egg white. It takes three times longer. Even though it never made the same mistakes.

It might seem strange to bring a Caribbean cocktail on vacation if you’re not in the tropics. Coconut trees and rum seem better suited for sunbathing by the pool (hello, piña coladas!) than gathering around a Christmas bonfire. But don’t let that frighten you. Coconut is subtle and balanced with festive cinnamon. If you’re craving a sweater-appropriate cocktail for the weather, the Coquito will still do the trick.

Christmas is a traditional holiday, and familiar decorations, food, and rituals often remain the same. Even the movie selection doesn’t change much from year to year. Even though many of us are aware of the dangers of Red Ryder BB guns and “Every time the bell rings An angel will spread its wings– But the holidays are not as constant as you think. More than a century ago Goose is served at Christmas dinner. Turkey is now a staple. Fortunately, the candles used to light up Christmas trees have been replaced with electric lights. And hardly anyone makes figgy pudding anymore. No matter what “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” Saying that the core spirit of these centuries-old traditions still exists. They just got modernized, it’s time for the eggnog to get an upgrade too.