By Olivia Wong

Snowman Eggnog

For those of us who have been good eggs this year! Eggs are probably not the first things that come to mind when you think of beverages but George Washington, the first president of the United States, was such a fan of eggnog that he even had his own recipe, which included rum and sherry. If that doesn’t make a drink special, we don’t know what does! This traditional festive drink dates back to the medieval times when they served a hot, milky, ale-like drink infused with spices, in a small wooden mug called a ‘noggin’, from which the name is derived. Rich, sweet and creamy – the most indulgence you can get without chocolate. 

How to make

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 500ml full-fat / semi-skimmed milk
• 2 eggs, separated
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 60g granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 60ml bourbon or rum (optional)
• Grated nutmeg 
• Whipped cream
• 1 dried apricot, cut into 4 wedges
• Chocolate chips to garnish

Method (Total time: ~30 minutes)

1. Gently heat the milk with the cinnamon in a saucepan, just until small bubbles form. 
2. Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl, gradually add in 33g of sugar and continue to whisk until light and fluffy. 
3. Add the salt, pour half of the hot milk into the egg mixture and whisk well.
4. Whisk the combined milk and egg mixture back into the saucepan.
5. Cook on a medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture starts to thicken enough to coat the back of the spoon (about 5 minutes). Be careful not to boil as the mixture may curdle. 
6. Stir in the nutmeg (and bourbon or rum, if desired).
7. In a large clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the remaining 27g sugar. Gently fold the egg white mixture into the hot milk mixture and stir well. 
8. Remove from the heat and divide evenly among heat-proof glasses or mugs. Top with a dash of nutmeg.
9. Top each glass of eggnog with a generous amount of whipped cream to make the snowmen’s heads. 
10. Place an apricot wedge into the whipped cream (just above the glass) to form a nose. Place two mini chips above each nose to form eyes. 
11. Serve immediately.

N.B. Once cool, you can pop any remaining eggnog in the fridge. It should keep for a few days.

P.S. Fancy a chance at winning a £10 Costa gift card?

Have a go yourself, take a picture and send us your Winter Warmer creations on Twitter @UoMHive or email me (jason.chu@manchester.ac.uk). We’ll be publishing a different hot drink recipe every day so try your hand at one you fancy!

The winning picture will be randomly selected from all entries received. Closing date for entries is 8th January.

(Feel free to make and submit as many different Winter Warmer drinks!)

Winter Warmer # 1: Minty Hot Chocolate Float

Winter Warmer # 2: Nutmeg and Orange Xmas Coffee

Winter Warmer # 3: Snowman Eggnog

Winter Warmer # 4: Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 5: Matcha Latte

Winter Warmer # 6: Ginger Pear tea

Winter Warmer # 7: After Eight Peppermint hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 8: Mulled Apple Juice

*Bonus Winter Warmer* : Turmeric Milk with Honey and Ginger