Mike's Mix: Make-Ahead Homemade Egg Nog

Every Saturday, Mike Augustyniak helps kick off the weekend by checking out some of the best cocktail recipes from bars in the Twin Cities. This week, he gets us in the holiday spirit with a Make-Ahead homemade egg nog with former La Belle Vie bartender Adam Gorski who has an upcoming event at Hola Arepa.

Make-Ahead Egg Nog

• 12 yolks
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups bourbon
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup cognac or brandy
• 1 cup dark rum
• pinch of kosher salt

Whisk the yolks with the sugar until creamy. Mix in the remaining ingredients.  Seal in a sterile jar in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.  If you make extra, and don't mind it taking up space in your fridge, you can let this age until next year; those who have tried say it just gets a deeper, richer flavor!

Before serving, whip egg whites into a meringue and top the drink with them; grate nutmeg over the top.

Taste Test

If you've only tried egg nog from a carton, this recipe will let you taste what you've been missing.  There's simply no comparison between the pre-packaged stuff, and this homemade recipe.

The concept dates back to colonial America – when stouts and strong alcoholic beverages were served in mugs called nogs.  Bartender Adam Gorski says, "This drink kind of came about because everybody had chickens, so they had eggs; everybody had cows, so they had milk; and everybody had rum, because everybody in New England had rum in Colonial times."

Good times.

Adam's recipe is easy to prepare – separating 12 egg yolks may well be the "hardest" part – and won't get in the way of the rest of your holiday meal prep.  If you make it in the next few weeks it will be ready to enjoy (or give as gifts) by Christmas.

Feel free to play with the proportions of rum, cognac, and bourbon, to achieve the flavor you prefer.

Links:

Following the closure of La Belle Vie, Adam Gorski and bartending partner Jon Olson are hosting pop-up events at area bars.  Called "#MNnice," each event features a four-drink menu designed to complement the flavor and vibe of the bar.

The next #MNnice event will be held the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 25) from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Hola Arepa, and will feature several different daiquiris.

More information on Hola Arepa.