The Art of Eggnog Making: A Holiday Tradition
At Scoma’s Restaurant in San Francisco, this holiday season’s batch of eggnog began 11 months ago.
Aging to Perfection
The process typically starts in late January, just after the previous year’s celebrations are over. Nearly a thousand egg yolks, gallons upon gallons of heavy cream and roughly $1,000 worth of vanilla beans are mixed with sugar and a mega-cocktail of sherry, brandy and aged rum. The concoction is then stored at 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) and gets stirred weekly for months.
A Customer’s Delight
Is it worth the wait? Customer Phil Kenny seems to think so.
“It’s a wonderful, specialty drink,” Kenny said of Scoma’s recipe, which has been honed in recent years to take advantage of the boozy beverage’s aging process. “This takes eggnog to a different level.”
A Holiday Cult Favorite
Kenny and his wife, Laurie, aren’t the only ones enjoying it this year.
“A drink that you would sort of associate with grandma and grandpa on the holidays has become like a cult favorite here,” Gordon Drysdale, Scoma’s culinary director, said earlier this month. “We did not ever anticipate people actually being mad at us because we didn’t have it.”
A Rich History
Eggnog’s roots date back to medieval England and a drink called “posset,” which included hot milk or cream, alcohol and spices. Recipes have evolved in the centuries since then, and non-dairy and alcohol-free options abound in recent years. But some — like the formula for the famous eggnog daiquiri at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop in New Orleans — stay the same, and remain secret.
A New Orleans Tradition
“I like to say it’s a little Christmas magic,” said Jamie Gourges, marketing manager for the open-air bar in the city’s iconic French Quarter. “We do not disclose any of our recipes at any point but it is delicious.”
Gourges will say, though, that theirs is made fresh each morning from right after Thanksgiving until Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, on Jan. 6. It’s a tradition going back some 20 years at an establishment that was built in the early 1700s. Naturally, it’s haunted by French pirate and privateer Jean Lafitte, who based his smuggling operations near New Orleans.
A Taste of Christmas
Terry Wittmer, who lives in the Big Easy, is a regular customer and loves the holiday season at the bar.
“It tastes like Christmas. It’s a little cinnamon-y. It’s smooth and if you drink it too fast you might get a brain freeze,” Wittmer said. “I live a block away so I’m here every day but I’m happier during Christmas.”
A Holiday Treat for Tourists
Even for tourists who came for the bar’s signature “purple drank” daiquiri, the holiday beverage beckons.
“It’s not going to have a problem going down, let’s put it that way,” Cheryl Abrigo of Florida said as she sipped hers.
Conclusion
Eggnog is a holiday tradition that has been perfected over the years, with some recipes remaining secret and others evolving to take advantage of aging processes. Whether you’re a fan of the classic recipe or a new take on the holiday drink, there’s no denying the magic of eggnog during the holiday season.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to make eggnog?
A: Eggnog can take anywhere from a few days to several months to make, depending on the recipe and aging process.
Q: What is the history of eggnog?
A: Eggnog’s roots date back to medieval England and a drink called “posset,” which included hot milk or cream, alcohol and spices.
Q: Is eggnog only for the holidays?
A: While eggnog is often associated with the holiday season, some recipes can be enjoyed year-round.
Q: Can I make eggnog at home?
A: Yes, you can make eggnog at home using a variety of recipes and ingredients. However, some recipes may require special equipment or aging processes.
