Lemon-Buttermilk Eggnog Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Swapping some of the milk with buttermilk adds an awesome tanginess to your eggnog which goes well with a bit of grated lemon zest.

For more eggnog variations, check out this post.

Recipe Details

Lemon-Buttermilk Eggnog Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 5 mins
Active 10 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 12 to 16 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 8 large eggs, separated

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk

  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

  • 2 cups heavy cream

  • 2 cups dark rum or brandy

  • Grated zest from 1 fruit (2-3/8" dia) lemon

Directions

  1. Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk on low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and, watching carefully, beat until they are about the consistency of shaving cream, about 90 seconds. Reduce speed to medium. With mixer running, add half of sugar and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Transfer whites to a large bowl. Do not wash bowl.

  2. Add egg yolks and remaining sugar to now-empty stand mixer bowl and beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow and ribbony, shutting off machine and scraping down sides with a rubber spatula as necessary, about 2 minutes total. Add milk, buttermilk, cream, alcohol, and lemon zest, and mix on low speed to combine.

  3. Using a rubber spatula or handheld whisk, fold the whipped whites into the egg yolk/milk mixture until completely incorporated. Serve by ladling into goblets and garnishing with more lemon zest.

Special equipment

stand mixer, hand blender with whisk attachment, or handheld electric mixer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
261Calories
14gFat
17gCarbs
6gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 16
Amount per serving
Calories261
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g18%
Saturated Fat 8g41%
Cholesterol 130mg43%
Sodium 98mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 27mg136%
Calcium 99mg8%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 209mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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