eggnog

For the spiced rum:

250ml rum or brandy (you need 250ml for the recipe, but this amount of spice will take up to 500ml alcohol)

1 whole nutmeg

1 cinnamon stick

½ vanilla bean pod

A few cloves

You can spice your rum a few days in advance before making this, but if you want to make it on the same day, give the spices about an hour to infuse.

Place the rum in a bottle or jar, and add the cinnamon stick, a generous grating of nutmeg, the vanilla pod, and a few cloves. Leave to infuse until you’re ready to make the eggnog. Strain through a tea strainer or muslin before serving.

For the eggnog: 

3 Otaika Valley free range eggs (at room temperature)

250ml spiced rum (see above)

80g caster sugar

450ml cream (make sure it’s chilled cold)

1 nutmeg, freshly grated, to garnish

1.Steep your booze, as per instructions above.

2.Separate the eggs. Whisk the yolks with 40g of the sugar, until thick and pale.

3. Whisk in the strained booze and the cream. Whisk until well combined. Note: you can make this part of the mixture a few hours in advance until you’re ready to serve: just keep it in the fridge.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with the remaining 40g of sugar. Beat until soft peaks form (I used my electric mixer for this). Fold into the booze mixture, then pour into glasses or mugs. Serve immediately, with a fresh grate of nutmeg on top.  

This recipe was a collaboration with Otaika Valley Free Range Eggs.