You know that moment when the holidays finally feel real? For me, it’s when I make this Peppermint Eggnog Delight. It’s creamy, cool, and has that perfect mix of minty sweetness and classic eggnog flavor.
The first time I made it, I couldn’t believe how easy it was. The layers came together so beautifully—light, fluffy, and full of that festive taste we all crave this time of year. It’s like a holiday party in every spoonful.
I love serving it after dinner when everyone’s cozy and laughing by the tree. It’s rich but not heavy, sweet but not too much. Honestly, it’s the kind of dessert that makes everyone ask for seconds.
So, grab that eggnog, crush some candy canes, and let’s make this Peppermint Eggnog Delight. It’s the perfect way to add a little sparkle to your holiday table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Holiday Magic in a Cup: With just the right amount of sweetness, peppermint flavor, and velvety texture, it’s the perfect combination for spreading holiday cheer.
- Perfect for the Holiday Season: With ingredients like eggnog, peppermint schnapps, and whipped cream, this drink is tailor-made for cozy winter nights.
- Family Friendly or Boozy Option: You can make it kid-friendly by leaving out the schnapps or mix it up with a boozy version that adds warmth to every sip.
- Delightful Garnishes: Top it off with crushed peppermint candies, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a festive look that will have everyone reaching for their cups.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have these essential kitchen tools ready:
- Large saucepan – for simmering the eggnog mixture.
- Whisk – to combine all ingredients smoothly.
- Mixing bowl – for beating the eggs and sugar.
- Spoon for stirring – to stir the mixture on the stove.
- Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately measure your ingredients.
- Fine grater (for nutmeg) – optional, for adding freshly grated nutmeg as a garnish.
- Cup or glass – for serving your delicious drink.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this festive delight:
- Whole Milk: The base of the drink, providing a creamy texture without overpowering the other flavors.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the eggnog for a smooth, luxurious drink.
- Large Eggs: These help thicken the eggnog and give it its classic, velvety texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances out the creaminess and brings sweetness to the drink.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors and brings a warm, comforting aroma.
- Peppermint Extract: This is the key ingredient that gives the drink its signature refreshing minty flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and helps balance the flavors.
- Peppermint Schnapps (optional): For those who want an adult version of this drink, peppermint schnapps gives it a boozy kick.
- Crushed Peppermint Candies: For garnish, giving a festive crunch that complements the drink’s smooth texture.
- Whipped Cream: Topped with a generous dollop for a touch of creaminess and added sweetness.
- Grated Nutmeg: A classic holiday spice that makes the drink smell amazing and adds a bit of warmth.
Variations for Peppermint Eggnog Delight
This recipe is super versatile and can be adjusted to suit your preferences:
- Kid-Friendly Version: Skip the peppermint schnapps and make a non-alcoholic version by simply adding extra peppermint extract or a few drops of peppermint oil.
- Non-Dairy Alternative: For a dairy-free version, substitute the whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk and coconut cream. Ensure that the non-dairy milk is unsweetened to avoid any extra sweetness.
- Sugar-Free Option: Replace the granulated sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit for a low-sugar version.
- Spiked Eggnog Delight: If you prefer a stronger alcoholic drink, feel free to add rum, bourbon, or whiskey in addition to the peppermint schnapps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s dive into making the most decadent Peppermint Eggnog Delight! This recipe requires a little bit of patience, but the end result is absolutely worth it.
1. Prepare the Eggnog Base
Start by placing a large saucepan on medium heat. Pour in the whole milk and heavy cream. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning. You want the mixture to heat up but not boil—so keep an eye on it!
2. Whisk the Eggs and Sugar
While the milk and cream are heating, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together in a mixing bowl. Use a hand whisk or a stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and pale yellow. This step is essential to ensure the sugar dissolves and the eggs are well-beaten.
3. Combine the Milk Mixture with the Egg Mixture
Once the milk and cream are warm (but not boiling), slowly pour about 1/4 of the warm milk mixture into the egg-sugar mixture, whisking constantly. This is known as tempering the eggs. It prevents the eggs from cooking too quickly and turning into scrambled eggs.
Gradually pour the rest of the milk mixture into the egg-sugar mixture while whisking continuously. This allows the eggnog base to become perfectly smooth and creamy.
4. Heat the Eggnog Mixture
Return the combined eggnog mixture to the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Continue to cook it until it thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Be sure not to let it boil!
5. Add Flavorings
Once the eggnog base is thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. For an optional boozy kick, add 1/2 cup of peppermint schnapps. Mix everything thoroughly until the flavors are evenly distributed.
6. Chill the Eggnog (Optional)
For a chilled version of the Peppermint Eggnog Delight, let the eggnog cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. The colder the eggnog, the more refreshing it will taste!
7. Serve the Peppermint Eggnog Delight
When you’re ready to serve, pour the eggnog into individual glasses. Top each serving with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg, and a few crushed peppermint candies for a festive, crunchy garnish.
If you’ve made a boozy version, you can add a candy cane to the rim of the glass for an extra touch of holiday charm.
How to Serve Peppermint Eggnog Delight
Peppermint Eggnog Delight is a delicious and versatile holiday drink that can be served in a variety of ways:
- As a Festive Drink for Gatherings: Serve in punch bowls for large holiday gatherings, where guests can help themselves. This drink is perfect for Christmas parties, family reunions, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- As a Cozy, Solo Treat: If you’re having a quiet evening by the fire or binge-watching holiday movies, this drink is perfect to sip on. Cozy up with a warm cup and enjoy the soothing flavor.
- In Holiday Gift Baskets: You can even give the gift of Peppermint Eggnog Delight by preparing a batch and gifting it in mason jars with decorative ribbons.
Storing Peppermint Eggnog Delight
This creamy, minty drink can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to preserve the flavor and texture. Before serving, give it a good stir to redistribute the ingredients, as they may settle while stored.
- Chilled Version: If you’ve made a chilled batch of Peppermint Eggnog Delight, just keep it in the fridge. If you want to warm it up, do so gently over low heat, stirring constantly.
- Leftover Whipped Cream: If you have leftover whipped cream, store it separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. If it starts to lose volume, you can re-whip it before serving.
Nutrition Information
Here’s the nutritional breakdown for a 1-cup serving of Peppermint Eggnog Delight (without alcohol and whipped cream topping):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300 kcal |
| Protein | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugar | 28g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g |
| Cholesterol | 170mg |
| Sodium | 60mg |
| Fiber | 0g |
Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients used, especially if you add alcohol or toppings.
Peppermint Eggnog Delight
Course: Uncategorized4-6
servings10
minutes10
minutes300
kcalIngredients
4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
5 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peppermint schnapps (optional)
Crushed peppermint candies for garnish
Whipped cream for topping
Grated nutmeg for garnish
Directions
- In a large saucepan, combine the milk and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
- Whisk together the eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth and pale yellow.
- Slowly temper the eggs by adding small amounts of the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt. Optionally add peppermint schnapps for an adult version.
- Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, and freshly grated nutmeg.
Conclusion
This Peppermint Eggnog Delight is the perfect festive drink for anyone looking to add a touch of magic to their holiday season. Whether you enjoy it as a comforting treat on a cold winter evening or as a festive beverage to serve at parties, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The rich, creamy base combined with the refreshing peppermint flavor is the ideal way to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy this seasonal delight with your loved ones—cheers to good times and even better drinks!