Eggnog Brandy Alexander

So, eggnog. There isn’t anything that is more Christmas holiday than eggnog. Lots of things have eggnog flavors, but the season is really limited to December, and a little overflow of the leftovers into January. It’s not like Pumpkin Spice, everywhere and in everything. But in our house, there will certainly be leftover eggnog. But this year, we’ve finally found the right way to use up the last of that quart bottle, in an Eggnog Brandy Alexander.

Eggnog

For me, it only takes about a swallow of eggnog to remember why it’s only a once-a-year thing. Too sweet, too thick, too odd. We’re certainly not making our own, but generally at some point in December, we come home with a quart or even a half-gallon bottle, because, you know, Christmas and eggnog.

But this year I have a new cocktail shaker set that gives some options to use up that extra eggnog, which is the rest of the bottle after I convince the kids to each have an espresso cupful, which again, is the only acceptable volume to have unadulterated.

I’ve tried a couple of different versions. Bourbon or even Irish whiskey is too harsh, generally overpowering whatever flavor eggnog is. Brandy on it’s own is too sweet. The answer – spiced rum! Or some kind of flavored rum. We had a bottle of maple-infused rum from Great Lakes Distillery, one of several local distillers. And what else are you going to make with maple rum? Big winner, the Eggnog Brand Alexander.

Cocktail Mixing Tips

So, I’m a beer guy. I can appreciate wine and enjoy a good bourbon or whiskey. But cocktails? Not really my thing. But with a new cocktail making kit I received for my birthday last month, it’s time to look to correct that. So, for the most basic of hard-earned advice for cocktail shakers: Fill the SMALLER one (or the glass pint) and cover with the LARGER one to shake. Something to do with fluid dynamics and spilling booze all over the counter.

So, after a half gallon of eggnog and a bottle of brandy (and three rums) later, the Eggnog Brandy Alexander: 4 ounces of eggnog, 2 ounces brandy, and 2 spiced or flavored rum in a cocktail shaker over ice. Strain into martini glasses, and sprinkle with your Penzey’s Pie Spice.

The other cocktail tip: leftover Eggnog Brandy Alexander can be strained into one of the shaker cups, with the leftover ice in the other. To finish that extra bit, drain the melted water from the ice and pour the drink and ice into the small shaker to give one last chilling to get the remaining out. Repeat until you are out of eggnog until next December.

• 

• 

This recipe is part of The Year Is Over Week