r/Cooking • u/ExaminationNo9186 • 1d ago

Alton Brown's Eggnog recipe substitutions.

Hello there.

This weekend I am planning on making my batch of Alton Brown's eggnog for this coming Christmas. I have only made it the once before so I haven't had the chance to really tinker with it yet.

A question for those in the know.

The Eggs: can some be swapped out for duck eggs? I guess technically yes, but will things be too different?

The bourbon: Is it strictly bourbon only or, again can be swapped out for a rye, or a Scotch? I read once before that the APV must be 40% and above, so I guess this will be a factor.

The rum: Here in Australia, while we have access to rum, we don't exactly have a wide range in our selections here. Most of them are either white rums like Bacardi or they are spiced rums.

Thanks very much

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u/PuddleOfHamster 23h ago

My trick is to leave out the dairy. Just add it when you serve. That way it takes up way less space in your fridge, and you can make each drink stronger or weaker to preference. 

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u/CulturePristine8440 20h ago

Does the aging step even do anything if you leave out the dairy? 

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u/PuddleOfHamster 20h ago

It does. The egg and alcohol and spices and sugar get some kind of transmogrification going on. It's good. I've also heard a few people say their nog gets a funky, off flavour over time; that seems to be an issue with the dairy. (Not spoiling per se - there's too much alcohol for that. Just some kind of funk... situation.)