Christmas

White House Eggnog

by:
December 21, 2016
4.7
3 Ratings
White House Eggnog
Photo by James Ransom
  • Serves 12 (makes 2 quarts)
Author Notes

There are a lot of White House eggnog recipes out there—from the batch made with commercial eggnog mix during JFK's presidency to Reagan's favorite, made with half and half and equal parts bourbon, rum, and brandy. The general consensus among all of them? The presidential eggnog is mighty strong—so drink it carefully and in moderation (and, maybe, to forget, at least for a moment, 2016).

This version, which comes to use from America's Table via Cup of Jo. —Food52

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 3 cups half and half
  • 1 cup bourbon
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1 cup rum
  • 1/2 pint whipped cream, for garnish
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
  • 1 pint eggnog ice cream, optional
Directions
  1. Place sugar, vanilla and egg yolks in a blender. Blend well, then add half and half.
  2. Add bourbon, brandy, and rum. Stir until well mixed, then pour into serving bowl. Whip cream and pile on top of eggnog. Dust the top with nutmeg and serve.
  3. To enrich the flavors (and make the nog even stronger-tasting), make it a few days in advance and keep it in the fridge to age. You can also serve the nog over a pint of eggnog ice cream, which will melt into the drink as it’s served.
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2 Reviews

Deb
Deb November 29, 2018
Hey, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a snarky political comment with an eggnog recipe!
Seriously, must the intolerance ooze into every corner? Even recipes?
 
Susie S.
Susie S. November 18, 2019
DEB-I couldn’t agree with you more. Ok since “I’m the original one” that posted this recipe in the LA Times Food section... Swear its true, look it up. Was watching GMA or whatever morning show was on and WH chef was on-I’d just had surgery and told my husband to get me paper&pencil-chef gave PresR’s favorite white house eggnog-made it a couple of times then decided to send it to LA Times Culinary SOS Food page only out every Thursday, my mother in law always saved me her Thursday LATimes simply for the food sections. The CulinarySOS page called it “VooDoo“ eggnog but did mention my post as I was the one that sent it in. Folks this was always made for our hair salon during the years I was a hairdresser, customers and stylists were always VERY happy, there was always a ton of laughter, and hair cuts were sometimes a bit crooked🥴. THIS RECIPE IS VERY STRONG!!! Of course people always want seconds but ‘drinker beware’ you’ll no doubt end up in a dizzying chair for a bit if you have too much. My son said yes but only of it’s ‘Ronald Reagan’ Favorite White House Eggnog-Drink responsibly&enjoy-Susie