Eggnog latte: a simple seasonal treat

If you’re a barista or your life as a coffee professional takes you anywhere near a café at this time of year, you will likely have either prepared, served or consumed an eggnog latte by the time you read this. But even if you haven’t – or indeed you’re quietly wondering what eggnog is – there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider making them at home during the holidays.

First, what is eggnog? It’s a mix of eggs, whole milk and/or cream, sugar, and spices – and, often, alcohol. You can make it yourself at home or buy it ready mixed in stores. You can also purchase advocaat, which although not strictly eggnog, is a similar milky blend fortified with brandy. Either will make an interesting substitute for milk in your latte.

It’s really very simple to prepare. You need only espresso (or a measure of coffee home-brewed in a process of your choice), a drop of milk (or plant-based substitute), some eggnog or advocaat and a pinch each of nutmeg and ground cinnamon.

How do you make it? Brew your coffee into a large mug, steam and whisk your milk until frothy and then add your eggnog or advocaat. Stir, and then sprinkle with the nutmeg and cinnamon to serve. A quick Google search will surface lots of eggnog recipe options, but we found ours here.

Ideally, you’ll use an espresso machine and milk steamer to achieve best results, but this author is a fan of filter coffee and managed an enjoyable festive tipple simply by using a V60. It may have been a little more like an ‘Irish eggnog coffee’ than an eggnog latte, but it was an eggnog treat nonetheless.

Here are two recipes depending on your preferences:

Eggnog latte

We suggest using a coffee with higher intensity of chocolate, nuts, and even brown spices since the more subtle flavours of a coffee are lost under the weight of the cream, brandy and eggs.

Ingredients:

35ml espresso

100ml milk, steamed and whisked until frothy

150ml eggnog or advocaat

pinch each of nutmeg and ground cinnamon, to serve

Irish ‘eggnog’ coffee

For this version, since the coffee is a higher ratio of the total drink, you can try a coffee with higher intensity of acidtiy, fruit flavours and sweetness.

Ingredients:

100ml brewed coffee - eg Ethiopia Beshasa G1

150ml eggnog

Dusting of cinnamon

And... try layering the eggnog over the coffee

Have you got a variation of this recipe, or created some fabulous holiday themed latte art in your kitchen? Share via Instagram and tag us.