Botanical Garden Eggnog

Drinks
TIME
3HR
YIELD
6 (cups)
Botanical Garden Eggnog
Return to Full Recipe List Print Recipe

Floral and elegant without being perfumy; the honey rounds off the edges and maintains the profile “tea-latte warm.”

Ingredients

Whole Milk
2 1/4 cup
Heavy Cream
3/4 cup
Sugar
1/2 cup
Egg Yolks
6 Big
Vanilla Extract
1 tsp
Kitchen Lavender Buds (beginning as low as 1½; as much as 2)
1½-2 tsp
Honey (to taste)
3 tbsp
Sprinkle ground pepper
Optional spirits: ½–1 oz gin (botanical), brandy, or elderflower liqueur per serving
Garnish: Smidgen of dried lavender and sugar mixture or lemon twist

Directions

  • STEEP DAIRY: COMBINE milk, cream, sugar, honey, and lavender in a saucepan. HEAT over medium until the mixture is hot and steaming.
  • COVER, REMOVE from heat, and STEEP 10 minutes.
  • STRAIN & REWARM: STRAIN off the lavender; RETURN the liquid to a soft steam.
  • TEMPER & COOK: WHISK the yolks in a bowl; then RETURN to the pan and COOK, STIRRING constantly until temperature REACHES 165-170° F and has lightly thickened.
  • REMOVE pan from the heat and STIR in vanilla and salt.
  • CHILL: STRAIN, RAPID-CHILL in ice bath, then STORE in the refrigerator until chilled.
  • SERVE: Straight, over ice, or warmed gently (DO NOT SIMMER). POUR optional spirits to taste per glass. LIGHTLY GARNISH.

Insider Tips

  • Sweeter, Creamier: Whisk in up to ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk off the heat after the base reaches 165°F, then strain and chill for a smooth, dessert-like finish.

  • Quick Chill: To cool fast, pour the hot custard into a pitcher set over an ice bath. Stir until cold, then refrigerate.

  • Make-Ahead: The base can be made up to 3 days in advance. Add espresso only at serving time to keep flavors fresh and prevent bitterness.

  • Storage: Keep refrigerated and use within 3 days.

  • Serving Temperature: Serve well-chilled, or warm gently to about 140°F — never boil, or it may curdle.

  • For a Crowd: Making 12 cups? Double the base recipe, then mix espresso and any sweetener to taste in smaller batches before serving.

  • Time Saver Tip: If using store bought eggnog, start with a high quality nog as your silky, reliable base then stir in chilled espresso just before serving for a rich, café-style twist in seconds.