So there’s no denying it–I enjoy the holiday just as much as the next lady.
Maybe it’s the cheer.
I will admit that I have certainly dipped into some cheer this holiday season.
I got a new favorite mix that is well… not for folks who don’t enjoy a good throat burn.
of ginger that is.
Yea throat burn.
At least that’s what folks tell me.
That ginger burns their throats. I, fortunately, do not have this problem.
Here’s the mix. No name yet.
Over ice in an old fashion glass:
1 part of
2 parts
2 parts
tonic
Garnish with a few twists of Meyer Lemons and you have yourself one very happy lady.
Err… drink.
As a matter of fact, sipping that delicious cocktail while staring at a sparkly Christmas tree will certainly get you into the holiday spirit.
Or at the very least fill you with holiday spirits.
Just so dang refreshing.
In a season of heavy. It is refreshing spice.
You know what else is surprisingly light?
This here homemade nog. Yea, eggnog.
I will be honest, I skipped the heavy cream.
Just a few cups whole milks and well … a few pats of unsalted butter.
Truth is the few pats of butter was because I did not feel like going to the dang grocery store for the 5th time in one week.
I figured in a pinch a few pats of butter will:
A) Saves a little money and waste. I will be honest–I may not use an entire container of heavy cream before it goes bad.
B) Gave me exactly what I was looking for in terms of consistency.
And isn’t it the time of year to drink butter? According to
it is and I am all about it.
This is not for the faint of heart.
It can be consumed as it was intended with raw eggs or you cannot get down with the raw version (like myself).
I am building up to it. Just not there yet.
However, I did run across some interesting recipes for
.
Yeah, ya heard me.
Aged Eggnog.
Like I said I am working up to it.
Next year.
Maybe.
So in the mean time y'all enjoy this.
This here dressed up boozy lady with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and star of anise.
Boozy Lady Eggnog
Prep Time: 10 mins
Yield: 6 to 8 drinks
Take four eggs and separate the yolks from the white. Set aside.
First things first get y'all some green cardamom about 3 pods so do nicely. Split open the pod and remove the seeds. The seeds are super tiny and round so it is best to do this over a small bowl. Next grab one star anise, cut it in half. Take out your coffee grinder and wipe out any residual coffee grinds. Add your cardamom seeds and your half a star anise and in small spurts grind until it mostly broken down. It should look similar to when you grate nutmeg over the top of your nog. Shake it out and back into your small bowl. Add an 1/8 tsp of cinnamon to the mix. Set aside.
Next measure 2 cups whole milk and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar.
Now break out the stand mixer and beat the egg yolks until they lighten a bit in color. Gradually add in the 1/3 cup of sugar and beat until dissolved. Scrap out the egg yolk mixture into a small bowl. Rinse out the mixer bowl and dry completely cause you are going to need to use it for you egg whites.
Place a medium size saucepan over medium high heat. Add two cups of milk, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and spice mixture to pan. Whisk constantly until it just starts to boil. Once it starts to boil remove from heat. Now here’s the tricky part and I suggest y'all ladle, yes with a giant soup ladle gradually add the hot milk to the egg yolk mixture–whisking constantly. So. one hand with the whisk in the yolk mixture and one hand on the ladle, slowly adding each ladle of hot milk to the egg yolks.
Y'all know if it is not working right. Trust me.
Do this until all the hot milk is well combined the egg yolk mixture.
Pour this combined milk and egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan.
Heat until it just starts to boil. Remove heat.
Add in 4 ounces of bourbon and 2 ounces of Art in the Age Snap spirits.
Whisk to combine.
Allow to cool.
Set in fridge.
Now you remember the nice and cleaned stand mixer bowl? Remember those egg whites?
Add your four egg whites to stand mixer bowl and beat eggs until they have soft peaks. Don’t be afraid the ratchet that mixer up to a medium speed. It will still take at least a few minutes. Once y'all achieve soft peak stage gradually add in 1 TBSP of granulated sugar and continue to beat until you achieve stiff peaks.
Now grab you boozy mix from the fridge and gradually whisk in egg whites.
Pour in large Mason jar. Allow the flavors to mellow a bit overnight.
Next day, whisk the mix if it has separated.
Ladle, grated some fresh nutmeg over top and enjoy your Monday.
Because it is Monday.
Because it is the Holiday Season.
Because I said so.