FOOD NEWS
11 Best Spirits To Spike Store-Bought Eggnog
BY ARIELLE WEG
Brandy
If your preferred seasonal treat is spiked eggnog, brandy is one of the best liquors you can turn to with its deep winter spices, floral flavors, and sweetness.
Brandy is a distilled wine with a sweet, fruity flavor that can cut the creamy richness of eggnog. Plus, its notes of vanilla and oak pair well with the festive drink.
Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy from Cognac, France, and it makes a great addition to eggnog. Plus, it's a slightly more cost-conscious alternative.
Cognac is distilled in large copper pots and oak barrels, giving it a strong, spiced flavor while imbuing it with notes of citrus, vanilla, and oak that are perfect for eggnog.
Whiskey
Whiskey is known for its smooth texture, intense flavor, and notes of smoke, earthiness, honey, oak, and caramel, making it perfect for the holiday cocktail.
Whiskey has a warming effect with spicy, sweet undertones. While there are flavored whiskeys, they would simply overwhelm the already intense flavors of the holiday drink.
Bourbon
Bourbon is an American whiskey that is slightly sweeter than other whiskeys and is unique for its mash, which must contain 51% corn without any colorings or additives.
Bourbon is quite complex, with oak, caramel, honey, vanilla, and smoke notes. When mixed with eggnog, it mellows the spiciness, adds sweetness, and amps up vanilla flavors.
Scotch
Scotch is a type of Scottish whisky with a flavor that balances sweetness, warming spices, and notes of smoke, caramel, or toasted spice.
In eggnog, Scotch makes for a slightly savory and deep, complex cocktail. Scotch is produced either as a single malt or blended, both of which work well in eggnog.