This recipe is a family favourite: it’s made with spiced, strong coffee, whipped cream, ice cream, and eggnog – making it one of the most festive, delicious, filling beverages you can possibly imagine. The coffee helps cut on the sweetness of the eggnog a little, and the addition of real, unsweetened whipped cream adds to that process while also making it fluffy and creamy. The addition of ice cream makes it over-the-top good, and adds a little extra creamy vanilla flavour to the overall impression.
Since this punch is so filling, we like to make it while we decorate for Christmas, bake Christmas cookies, or as a treat for ourselves after a successful day of Christmas shopping. It’s so delicious, but really too decadent to finish off an already-filling meal.
For our family, we usually plan to make enough for 1 or 1-1/2 cups per person, and that is PLENTY. At least, in my opinion – This is so incredibly rich that getting down more than that is actually difficult, even though the taste makes is so tempting!
Scroll down for the recipe!
Eggnog Punch
Makes 5-1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup strong coffee
1 (3″-4″) cinnamon stick
4 whole allspice
4 whole cloves
1 quart (4 cups) good quality eggnog*
1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped
1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream
Ground nutmeg
Directions:
(1) Combine the coffee, cinnamon, allspice and cloves in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered, until the mixture is reduced and fragrant. Pour through a sieve into a container, and refrigerate until cold.
(2) Remove the ice cream from the freezer, and allow to soften slightly. In the meantime, whip the cream, and set aside.
(3) In a punch bowl, combine the cold coffee mixture, eggnog, and vanilla extract. Fold in the whipped cream, and then scoop in the ice cream. Stir slightly to combine, sprinkle with ground nutmeg, and serve immediately.
*You can usually tell a quality eggnog by checking the ingredients. If one of the first ones is “Cream,” you’re usually in good shape. Anything made primarily with milk or skim milk is usually not as good.
Mm. Just looking at these pictures makes me want to make more of this! I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers,
–Naomi
