Category: Drink Recipes

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5 Best Ina Garten Desserts, Ranked

5 Best Ina Garten Desserts, Ranked

From Brownie Pudding to Panettone Bread Pudding, Ina Garten’s best desserts tend to be easy and no question about it…delicious. So far, I’ve made five out of her list of 10 favorites and they’ve all wowed me so much, I plan to make them on repeat throughout 2023!

The takeaways:

  • Her Pavlova is simply stunning, while her Eton Mess dessert is elegant and ready in under 10 minutes.
  • Other fan favorites include Chevron Cake and Panettone Bread Pudding, which is perfect for the holidays. 
  • My favorite dessert might also be the easiest, but more on that below.

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Related: 19 Classic Ina Garten Recipes That Prove She’s the GOAT

Best Ina Garten Desserts

#5: Ina Garten’s Eton Mess Dessert

In 5th place is Garten’s Eton Mess. It’s one of the first recipes I tried from her Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That? cookbook. I was on a quest for something simple, yet sophisticated, to serve at a holiday soiree and Garten mentions in the book, that if plated right, Eton Mess is a “very elegant dessert” which sounded perfect. 

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Three easy holiday cocktail recipes to lift your spirits

Three easy holiday cocktail recipes to lift your spirits

Three

Clockwise from best-remaining: SLS Brickell, Shelborne South Seashore, Casa Sensei

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It is beginning to glimpse a large amount like … well, you know the words and phrases. A single way to get into the spirit is by, eh, having into spirits. We can generate holiday break magic and cheer by way of reimagined seasonal cocktails created by gifted bartenders and mixologists from the Miami region. Coquito in a coupe glass? Spiked apple pie? Oh yeah. We’re feeling it.

Each individual of these cocktails draws on seasonal flavors or pays tribute to worldwide favorites. They are all excellent additions to your beverage arsenal this holiday break time.

Devices to make getaway cocktails

Two of these cocktails are served shaken, so a good cocktail shaker is a have to. Spiked Apple Pie is stirred in its glass, though a cocktail mixing glass and bartender’s spoon may occur in useful for more substantial batches.

Though appropriate glassware at dwelling isn’t the most essential detail to have on-hand, it is a enjoyable addition for unique cocktails. A coupe or snifter is proposed for the coquito. A related stemmed cocktail glass is chosen with standard Manhattan cocktails. The Spiked Apple Pie is served in rocks eyeglasses.

Holiday break Coquito from Casa Sensei

Holiday Coquito Casa Sensai.jpg
Getaway Coquito by Casa Sensei.

The Fort Lauderdale-dependent Pan Asian and Latin American restaurant pays tribute to its Hispanic roots with this famed Puerto Rican holiday break cocktail. Crafted with coconut milk and white rum, and topped with a cinnamon adhere for all points spice, this cocktail is the ideal holiday take care of.

Serve it in a coupe or snifter to get an intense whiff of the flavorful aromas as you get pleasure from it.

Read through the comprehensive recipe.

Maple Manhattan, Shelborne South Seashore

Sweeten up even the most dull virtual holiday get-alongside one another with the Maple Manhattan cocktail, a mix of Aged Forester Bourbon, dry Vermouth, maple syrup, angostura bitters and cherries, created by the bartenders at the Shelborne South Beach in Miami.

Considering the fact that there are so number of elements in the recipe, locate a superior top quality maple syrup to use. That little improve will make a globe of variation.

Read the entire recipe.

Spiked Apple Pie, The Lounge at the SLS Brickell

Spiked Apple Pie SLS BRICKELL.jpg
Spiked Apple Pie by SAAM Lounge at the SLS Brickell.

Well prepared by a double-straining approach by bartenders at Miami’s SLS Brickell Hotel, this Spiked Apple Pie has a smoky flavor reminiscent of a freshly baked pie. Crafted with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, apple cider, ginger beer and orange liqueur, complementary notes of apple and orange zest round out the expertise.

This cocktail is a little bit extra labor-intensive than the other folks, and phone calls for earning your individual spiced apple mixture on the stove. Have a tiny saucepan at the completely ready and a reducing board nearby to chop a compact apple.

Go through the complete recipe.

Connected stories from Miami Herald

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Meet Hot Aperol, the Spritz’s Winter Relative

Meet Hot Aperol, the Spritz’s Winter Relative

By now, you and everybody from the Italian Riviera to your favored suburban bar is familiar with the Aperol Spritz. It’s the perennial drink of the summer for a rationale. But the glowing cocktail has lengthy overshadowed its wintertime cousin, very hot Aperol. Jointly, the two make the case for preserving the aperitivo liqueur as a year-spherical backbar staple.

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At the Xmas markets of Vienna, Austria, most site visitors find out commemorative mugs of sticky-sweet glühwein, also known as mulled wine, and punsch, a blend of tea, spices and rum or brandy. But on a recent visit, a market place stall indicator for a vivid orange drink caught my eye. I watched as a seller poured steaming liquid into a wide-mouthed wine goblet, the signature Aperol Spritz glass, on bank loan for a small charge to be returned when I completed. 

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While the vintage Aperol Spritz depends on its namesake aperitivo liqueur, prosecco and soda water, the warm edition substitutes white wine for the bubbles. Fruit juices, either apple or orange, and optional mulling spices like orange peel, cinnamon and clove provide even more depth of flavor. The scorching Aperol has all of the gratification of its refreshing summertime counterpart, with all of the warming consequences vital to this time of calendar year. And in contrast to the market’s other seasonal choices, warm Aperol is significantly a lot more nuanced in flavor, with the familiar hit of orange that I really like about the spritz, without the need of the lingering sugary feeling of glühwein or punsch. 

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Even though it is most commonly discovered through the getaway season in Christmas marketplaces, specially in Austria and Germany, bars and cafés across Europe also make the winter season spritz different. The drink has risen in recognition in current years, specifically as the spritz itself has catapulted to around the globe prominence.

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The natural way, each individual sizzling Aperol recipe may differ based on the position and the bartender. At marketplaces across Europe, other twists abound, like the Scorching Pinky, which swaps out white wine for rosé and adds floral rose syrup, and the Sizzling Kiss, which is topped with whipped product in a additional dessert-like preparation. At Café Katzung in Innsbruck, Austria, which starts off serving its variation just about every October, homeowners Ursula and Jakob Dengg choose for dry white wine, with just a sprint of orange juice, and no apple juice, for a a lot less-sweet consider on the staple. And Jessica King, co-owner of Brother Wolf in Knoxville, Tennessee, would make a variation encouraged by the holiday—and chilly and flu—season, incorporating vitamin C powder, solitary malt Scotch and Chinotto soda to the mix. 

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Certainly, like the spritz, the structure is a versatile just one, with the identical straightforward-to-drink and craveable quality of the original. As King says of her medicinal-motivated cocktail, it’s deserving of “a daily dose” every wintertime.

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31 Christmas Cocktails for a Merry and Bright Holiday

31 Christmas Cocktails for a Merry and Bright Holiday

Add a little sparkle to the season with festive Christmas cocktail recipes made to ignite the spirit of the season. These boozy beverages were created to warm you from the inside out. Whether it’s the bourbon, Campari or vodka that brings on that snuggly feeling or the warmth from an infused hot cider or mulled wine, these recipes were made to fend off winter chills. Along the way, we’ll teach you how to make festive garnishes like sugar-coated grapes and a candy cane-rimmed martini glass.

Fom family-friendly spiced ciders to versions with liberal pours of spiced rum, these merry drinks are a key part of menu planning for holiday gatherings. While you may want to serve a bold red wine with your holiday roast, these cocktails will start and end the party on the right note. But they’re certainly not limited to special occasions. Once the garland is hung and strands of lights twinkle on the tree, whipping up a bar-worthy cocktail with ease can feel like Christmas in a glass any day of the month.

So grab the shaker — or, hey, just a spoon — and jot down your favorite holiday cocktail recipes for this magical season. Enjoy a tipple during a major gift wrapping session or make a few batches for guests at a Christmas dinner. Every single one of these wintry cocktails are worth making — and the season is long enough to try them all!

Amaretti Cookie Toddy

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Who needs candles? This big-batch cocktail will perfume your entire house with the smell of warm spices, sweet orange flavor and a hint of bourbon. The addition of amaretto liqueur adds a subtle almond note. Start this cocktail in the afternoon before your guests come and it will be the perfect crowd-pleaser to kick off the party.

Gingerbread Martini

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

‘Tis the season for all things gingerbread-flavored, so I’m putting a festive twist on the ever-popular espresso martini. The molasses replaces the classic simple syrup for a more intense sugar flavor. The dash of warm spices in the cocktail rounds out the full cookie flavor to really make this a glass of liquid holiday cheer.

Winter Wonderland Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Have broken or leftover sugar cookies? Turn them into a delicious, infused cream and use that to make this creamy cocktail! The addition of white chocolate makes this drink taste like a treat.

Cranberry Martinis

David Anderson / TODAY

Ina Garten dresses up store-bought cranberry juice cocktail with an orange-cranberry simple syrup, plus vodka and triple sec. It’s a boozy beverage that’s perfect for sipping with loved ones next to your tree.

Apple Cider Mojitos

Alejandra Ramos

Even though eggnog peaks in popularity during December, there’s still room for apple cider, too. After all, it delivers warm, spiced flavors that will make you feel extra cozy during winter. While mojitos usually give tropical vibes, this apple-based cocktail feels decidedly seasonal.

Ina Garten's Pomegranate Gimlets

Ina Garten

Ina’s recipes can do no wrong and this pomegranate-based cocktail is no exception. The color combination of ruby red pomegranate juice alongside sliced lime is perfect for the Christmas season, and this big-batch drink is ready for a crowd.

French 75 Cocktail

TODAY

This elegant cocktail is totally timeless and perfect for sipping during the holiday season. Sparkling wine or prosecco brings a festive flair alongside gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

The Lemon Ball Drop

Alejandra Ramos

Celebrate the week between Christmas and New Year’s with this zesty martini made with vodka, lemon-infused simple syrup and sugared grapes.

Festive Prosecco

Courtesy Elena Besser

This drink looks and feels super festive for the holidays with very little effort. Start with a bottle of bubbles (preferably a dry prosecco or Champagne), add cranberry juice and pomegranate juice, give it a stir and top with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries. It’s both beautiful to look at and delicious to drink.

Gaspare's Winter Punch

Clover Club

Classic mulled wine is dressed up with Campari and cranberries for a warm punch that also makes a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday party buffet table.

Apple Cider Pitcher

Samantha Lauro

Whether served cold or hot, apple cider is a staple for the holiday season. The homemade spiced syrup in this recipe adds the complexity needed to wow your guests. Plus, the whole family can enjoy it together as a nonalcoholic beverage or it can be jazzed up with some alcohol to become a cocktail.

Winter Lemonade

Samantha Lauro

The zesty citrus flavor pairs well with the spice from the ginger in this bright, cold-weather cocktail. The subtle, crisp apple notes in sauvignon blanc also add some extra flair that round out the drink.

Peppermint Martini (Peppermint-ini)

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

A traditional peppermint martini is a major sugar rush. Whip up my version of this festive drink and you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays without worrying about overdoing it on the sugar.

Keoke Coffee Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Enjoy a good cup of joe? Then you’ll love this classic Keoke coffee cocktail. This warming drink ups the ante when it comes to a sweet holiday coffee beverage. Topped with a little whipped cream, it’s a tasty treat.

Off-White Christmas

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

The fresh ground nutmeg and cinnamon give this concoction an endless festive and delicious flavor.

Bourbon Cozy

Samantha Lauro

If you’re craving chocolate, this will satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s so decadent and delicious, it can also serve as the grand finale instead of dessert.

The Grinch Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Just like its namesake, this cocktail is spicy and complex, there’s nothing sweet about it. And, like the Grinch’s sly grin, it is mischievously delightful.

The Rudolph Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Rich white chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka and cream make this cocktail sweet, cozy and perfect for a chilly Christmas night.

Drunken Gingerbread Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

This easy eggnog recipe has all the sweet, creamy spiced goodness you want in this traditional holiday cocktail. Adding warm gingerbread cookies to the mix makes it all the more festive and delicious.

Winter Champagne Cocktail

Maureen Petrosky / TODAY

This versatile sparkling wine cocktail can be made with Champagne or prosecco and any kind of citrus fruit. A rosemary sprig is a pretty garnish that adds just a hint of flavor.

Bright Spirit

Discovery+

This is a simple and straightforward cocktail, but it tastes so bright and festive. The sweet raspberry notes and tart lime mingle perfectly on the palate.

Holiday Mojitos (Merry, Merry Mojitos)

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Cool mint, Champagne and a little rum — that’s all you need! This refreshing beverage will make everyone have a happy Christmas.

Fourth Hour Fizz Cocktail

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

It takes about 30 seconds to make this eye-catching cocktail. The mint or basil garnish adds the perfect touch of green to an iced glass of sparkling red liquid.

Dark 'n' Stormy

Maureen Petrosky/TODAY

When the weather outside is frightful, a classic dark and stormy might be just the thing to make everyone’s mood a bit brighter. There are only three ingredients in this five-minute drink, and each is equally important.

Italian Aperol Spritz Punch

Shutterstock

Citrusy yet sweet with a hint of bitterness, this sparkling Italian Aperol spritz punch serves 12 to 16 and will have the whole party saying, “Buon Natale!”

Ginger Spice Punch

Shutterstock

Like gingerbread cookies, only smoother and with a kick of bourbon, this ginger-spiced apple cider cocktail can be made in single servings or scaled up to keep a group happy all evening. Just be sure to use one part bourbon to five parts apple cider.

Eggless Eggnog (Tawny Crème Cocktail)

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

An eggnog without the raw egg ends up being a bit lighter but still keeps the creamy, winter-spiced flavor everyone loves.

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Cocktail

Maureen Petrosky / TODAY

Using frozen cranberries makes this cocktail seasonal, festive and super simple to put together. Feel free to double the recipe and make two pitchers because it always seems goes too fast.

Carson's Brandy Alexander

Williams Sonoma

“For as long as I can remember my mom was blending away during the holidays, creating her famous Brandy Alexander cocktails. It’s as much a family tradition as the jolly man himself,” says Carson.

Elizabeth Mayhew's Mulled Wine

Getty Images

This is the mulled wine recipe to end all mulled wine recipes. With all the wintry spices and notes of citrus, it’ll warm everyone up no matter how much snow is outside.

Bubbles and Cran

Vivian Chan

Bubbles aren’t just for Champagne and seltzer. This drink is inspired by the beautiful wreaths decorating the shopfronts of New York City during the holidays. It will wake up your palate with the fiery kick of ginger!

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5 historical hot cocktails that are perfect for cold weather

5 historical hot cocktails that are perfect for cold weather

It is cold outside, and there’s nothing quite like a hot drink to warm the cockles. In the history of British mixed concoctions, there are arguably more hot drinks than cold for one simple reason: Central heating was not ubiquitous in the U.K. until the late 20th century. Before that, cold drinks were something of a novelty unless you frequented American bars, which specialized in iced drinks.

Here are five historical warming sips from Britain to see you through the bright lights of the holidays and the dark days of winter.

1. Tom and Jerry

Sportswriter Pierce Egan is credited with this precursor to the modern egg nog. It appeared in 1821 in his monthly serial “Life in London: Or, the Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq., and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom,” which was adapted for the stage that same year.

The drink seemed to follow the play’s success as it traversed from London’s West End to New York’s Broadway in 1823. It was recognized as a Christmas classic in 1843, when it was revered in “The Symbol, and Odd Fellow’s Magazine” as a more refined version of “a long concocted beverage,” the Flip. It might seem a bit fiddly to make, but the result is worth the extra effort.

Ingredients for batter mix (makes about 40 servings):
3 eggs (whites and yolks separated)
15 ml rum
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground clove
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp creme of tartar
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
120 ml caster sugar

Method: In one bowl, beat the egg whites to a stiff froth. In another bowl, beat the yolks until they are as thin as water.

Mix yolks and whites and add the rum and spices. Thicken with sugar until the mixture attains the consistence of a light batter.

Ingredients for one serving:
60ml of Irish whiskey
Milk of choice
Grated nutmeg

To make one serving: Combine one tablespoonful of Tom and Jerry batter with Irish whiskey in a coffee mug. Fill the mug with hot milk. Garnish with a little grated nutmeg.

2. Gin Twist

Among the most popular gin drinks during London’s severe winter of 1822, the Gin Twist was immortalized in several poems published in London newspapers. One such poem comprised 149 lines with each stanza comparing the tipple with other popular drinks at the time, such as this one about rum:

Ye Bailies of Glasgow! Wise men of the West!
Without your rum bowls, you’d look certainly tristes; Yet I laugh when I’m told, that liquor so cold Is as good as a foaming hot jug of gin-twist.

It is a remarkably simple drink made with gin, sugar, water and lemon juice, plus a lemon twist garnish to prove the concoction was made with fresh lemon juice — a true luxury back then. The Gin Twist still offers a superior drink today.

Ingredients:
50 ml gin
25 ml simple syrup (or a tablespoon of white sugar)
25 ml fresh lemon juice
75-100ml boiling water

Method: Combine ingredients in a teacup or Irish coffee mug. Stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.

3. Dog’s Nose

This might seem an odd combination to a modern palate more accustomed to sugary mixers, such as cola or tonic water, but the blend of porter or stout, gin, and brown sugar or dark treacle makes for a remarkably good winter sip. The Dog’s Nose first emerged in Charles Dickens’s 1836 book “The Pickwick Papers.”

Thereafter, the potion was frequently mentioned in newspapers and magazines for nearly a century before its popularity waned. Served at Victorian-era room temperature or heated with a loggerhead (a red-hot poker heated in the fireplace), this drink warms both the heart and soul as the wintry snows settle on the ground.

Ingredients:
25 ml gin 100 ml porter or stout 10 ml dark treacle

Method: Combine gin and treacle in a rocks glass or tumbler. Stir to dissolve the treacle. Add the porter and stir gently once more. Warm in a microwave if you want to make the heated version.

4. Smoking Bishop

When Ebenezer Scrooge finally came to his senses in Dickens’s 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol,” he said to Bob Cratchit with a smile:

We will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!

There is a bit of mystery to this drink’s origins. While Dickens appears to have added the “smoking” to the name, the English literary critic George Saintsbury hypothesized in his 1920 “Notes on a Cellar-Book” that it was born at Oxford University.

Its earliest mention is in the 1827 edition of Oxford Nightcaps, the first British book devoted to drink recipes. That book calls it a traditional drink and cites its origins in antiquity — and its rich, spicy tones and imported ingredients may have indeed made it a favorite among the elite in late medieval England.

Ingredients:
6 Seville oranges
115 g caster sugar
1 bottle Portuguese red wine
1 bottle port
whole cloves

Method: Stud the oranges with cloves and roast them in a small metal bowl or baking tray until they are golden brown. Deglaze the roasting pan with wine. Combine the remaining ingredients with the roasted oranges in a pot and simmer covered on a low heat for about 20 minutes. Optionally, you can also press the oranges in the pot and sieve the liquid before serving.

5. Brandy Toddy

To heat drinks before microwaves, many landlords opted for a loggerhead, which took a Toddy from a cold drink to a boiling hot one in five seconds. Heated with a loggerhead, the Toddy acquires a distinctive taste since the heat from the loggerhead is so intense it caramelizes the sugars in the drink and fills the room with the aroma of toasting marshmallows.

You can occasionally find a loggerhead on Etsy or eBay mislabelled as a “fire poker.” The dramatic effect of heating a Toddy with this antique device is a holiday visual treat, but they are quite dangerous so I advise caution. Here we recommend making this warming winter nightcap the modern way.

Ingredients:
1 tsp caster sugar
60 ml brandy or cognac
60 ml boiling water

Method: Pour brandy or cognac into a coffee mug. Add sugar and water. Stir to dissolve.

Anistatia Renard Miller, PhD in History, University of Bristol

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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Why drink eggnog when you could eat it? 10 deliciously custardy recipes, from eggnog ice-cream to eggnog brownies | Food

Why drink eggnog when you could eat it? 10 deliciously custardy recipes, from eggnog ice-cream to eggnog brownies | Food

Unless you’re American, eggnog is a tough sell. Necking raw egg, albeit sweetened and mixed with cream, is something you can probably only do if you’ve been brought up in a very specific culture (or you happen to be on an absurd protein kick). Things get even less appealing when alcohol is involved, as eggnog often comes spiked with some amount of brown spirit, because then it becomes a hellish hybrid of booze and hangover cure in one. But maybe nog newcomers are going in too hot. After all, what is eggnog if not a weird sort of custard? And what is custard, if not a woefully underused recipe ingredient? That’s right: forget about drinking eggnog. This year I want you to eat it. And here’s how.

Eggnog creme brulee cheesecake

I’ve mentioned Liam Charles’s eggnog creme brulee cheesecake before, but I’m going to repeat myself because it deserves as much attention as possible. Of course eggnog belongs in a cheesecake – it’s cream and eggs, which will always bake perfectly – and the nutmeg here automatically makes it more Christmassy. It is a very subtle effect: you could easily serve this to a nog naysayer and they’d be none the wiser.

Glass of eggnog Christmas drink
‘What is eggnog is eggnog if not a weird sort of custard? … ’ Photograph: Weedezign/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Eggnog ice-cream

What else can you do with custard? That’s right, freeze it into an ice-cream. Taste of Home’s no-churn eggnog soft-serve ice-cream isn’t just delicious, but the easiest thing in the world to make. You’ll need some eggnog, then blend that with more cream, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together, then freeze it overnight and you’re done. It’s worth pointing out that this recipe also requires rum (alcohol, normally brandy, being an unspoken extra of most nog recipes), but here it serves an important secondary purpose, helping the ice-cream to freeze softer.

Eggnog french toast

‘If you know how to make french toast, you already know how to make this recipe’ …
‘If you know how to make french toast, you already know how to make this recipe’ … Photograph: JMichl/Getty Images

By now you have fallen under the nog spell, so you might as well go all out and start making it for breakfast. We’ll begin semi-conservatively with Yummly’s recipe for eggnog french toast. If you know how to make french toast, you already know how to make this; the only difference being that you soak the bread in eggnog before cooking. Easy.

Eggnog porridge

The french toast was just a gateway recipe. Because, as soon as the idea of breakfast nog stops being abhorrent, you can move on to the real test: eggnog porridge. The recipe on A Taste of Madness is as quick and easy as you wish: put some eggnog in a pan, add porridge oats, heat until thick and Bob’s your uncle. Is it delicious? Yes. Does it contain alcohol? No because, you haven’t hit that personal low yet. Can you look yourself in the face while you eat it? That’s another matter entirely.

Eggnog sweet potato pie

One more weird one and then I’ll guide us back into safer territory. You already have an opinion about sweet potato pie (which is either “That sounds normal” or “Christ alive, why do you hate me?” depending on how American you are), but the New York Times’ recipe for eggnog sweet potato pie is actually worth a punt. Believe it or not, the two ingredients actually work amazingly well together. Don’t believe me? Fine.

Eggnog caramel brownies

The LA Times has a recipe for eggnog caramel brownies, and I can tell you’re already back on board. This one is actually a bit of a cheat – you basically just make some normal brownies, then make a caramel sauce with all the constituent eggnog ingredients – but in all honesty, that probably only makes it better. Plus there’s rum! My guess is that, if you make any of these recipes, it’ll be this one.

Eggnog cookies

You can also use your nog for biscuits, as Preppy Kitchen’s recipe for eggnog cookies amply demonstrates. Especially since it turns out that an eggnog cookie is (as far as cookie recipes go) relatively austere. No chocolate. No massive chunks of fudge. Just a nice, lightly spiced vanilla cookie, like your mum used to make.

Eggnog preparation …
Eggnog preparation … Photograph: GMVozd/Getty Images

Eggnog bread pudding

I am aware that The Pioneer Woman’s recipe for eggnog bread pudding is basically a slightly dessertier version of the eggnog french toast above, but I stand by it, because soaking bread in custard and then cooking might go down as humanity’s greatest invention. This is that, plus raisins.

Rum and eggnog bundt cake

Of course, you can definitely make a cake using eggnog. My recommendation will always be for a bundt here; partly because they suit the extra moisture well, but mainly because bundts are intrinsically Christmassy. Liv for Cake’s rum and eggnog bundt recipe is exactly how it sounds – a lovely spiced vanilla cake. You’ll want to get this out of the oven right before your guests arrive for maximum impact.

Eggnog trifle

Finally, let’s reach our hands across the ocean once and for all, by marrying the weirdest American drink with the weirdest British pudding. That’s right, it’s an Australian recipe for tipsy eggnog trifle, courtesy of My Food Book. The eggnog works brilliantly here because (as you’ll know by now), it’s basically just custard, so it sits perfectly with the fruit and cream. There is no jelly here, though. Please don’t write letters – I know how you get.