5 Best Brandies For Eggnog (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Eggnogs are really fit for the holiday season. But we can upgrade it with a twist other than the usual rum. Using brandy is a good addition because of its complexity in taste.
Let’s find out what is the best brandy for eggnog and what recipes you can follow to bring a more delicious treat to the table.
Top 5 Brandy Brands For Eggnog
1. E&J VSOP Premium Brandy (Total Wine)
E&J VSOP Premium Brandy has been a trusted brand since 1938, perfecting the delicious cognac. The company did not point out the number of years it was aged, but it should be at least four years.
The smell suggests fruity sweetness, while the flavor leans more on the taste of apples and berries with a hint of oak. These flavors are a perfect fit for your homemade eggnog.
2. Hennessy VS (Caskers)
Hennessy VS is a famous Cognac known for its delicious taste and complex flavor. Its master blender used the best ingredients from the Cognac region to produce the spirits it became known for until today.
This cognac can be the best liquor for eggnogs because of the creamy sweetness that blends well with eggnog ingredients. This Hennessy bottle will provide the kick and the added taste of fruits and roasted almonds.
3. Pierre Ferrand Ambre (Total Wine)
Pierre Ferrand Ambre is made from the highest quality Ugni grapes but mixed with another Colombard grape variety. It has a satisfying smoothness compared to your favorite ice-cold beer.
The spirits from Pierre Ferrand have a sweet, lively flavor of plums and amber with hints of floral smell, and rye makes it a great fit for eggnog.
4. Paul Masson Grande Amber VSOP (Total Wine)
Paul Masson Grande Amber VSOP is another good pick when you want to create a ‘Nog.’ This drink has a complex smell to the nose, a mixture of chocolate, caramel, and oak notes. It has a nice sweetness of fruit with vanilla, iris, rye, and a little touch of ginger and other spices on the tongue.
5. Camus VS (Total Wine)
Camus VS is from a distillery that has been in wine-making since 1863 from Cognac, France. They manufacture these in traditional copper stills. Then, they age the eau-de-vie in Limousin oak barrels.
The flavor of this creamy cognac is a mixture of fruits, apples, pears, and grapes. This bottle can blend with cinnamon and other ingredients you can add to your eggnog.
Why Use Brandy With Eggnog?
Using brandy with eggnog is not the usual choice, but it is certainly one of the best options other than the usual rum. Brandy, particularly cognac, is infused with complex flavors during aging.
The best eggnog recipes contain the most flavorful ingredients, and brandy will complement the taste. Adding a liquor with an overpowering smell or taste like vodka may not be a good option. So what’s the best way to drink brandy?
Popular Eggnog Recipes With Brandy
Quick Brandy Eggnog
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce cognac
- 1 1/4 ounces of milk
- Half ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg yolk (large)
- Nutmeg or cinnamon (grated for garnish)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients inside the shaker. Alcohol can also be bourbon or rum. Dry shake contents very well. Fill the shaker with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain contents and pour into an old-fashioned cocktail glass.
Serving: 1
Eggnog Brandy Alexander Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces eggnog (store-bought eggnog or homemade)
- 2 ounces spiced rum
- 2 ounces cognac
Instructions:
Fill shaker with ice and then pour in all ingredients. Shake well. Pour contents into cocktail glasses. This recipe can make two servings. Drink and enjoy.
Serving: 1
Spiked Eggnog With Brandy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs (large)
- 2 egg yolks (large)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 4 cups milk (whole)
- 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups brandy, bourbon whiskey, or dark rum
- 1 tbs pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cold heavy cream
Instructions:
Place eggs, yolks, salt, and sweeteners inside the saucepan and whisk everything. Slowly pour milk into the mixture, mixing continuously—place the saucepan at the lowest heat possible. Watch out if it clings to the back of the spoon; it’s a sign to turn the heat off.
Strain and add your choice of liquor to the mixture. Mix and pour on a pitcher, then cover with plastic and chill for at least 4 hours. Once ready, whip the cream and carefully mix with chilled eggnog.
Serving: 1
Frozen Brandied Eggnog
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces eggnog
- 6 ounces cognac (can also be rum or whiskey)
- Ten ice cubes
- Four scoops of vanilla ice cream or gelato
Instructions:
Place highball glasses or small goblets inside the freezer to chill. Puree eggnog, cognac, and ice cubes until smooth. You can replace alcohol [1] with aged rum or bourbon, whatever you prefer.
Once you see the content on the blender is smooth, add in ice cream or gelato. Blend well. Pour on chilled glasses and serve.
Serving: 4
FAQs
What can you use with eggnog aside from brandy?
You can use rum or bourbon whiskey with eggnog aside from brandy. Rum and these liquors do not contain a higher alcohol level, and it has a sweet flavor.
What kind of brandy do you use for eggnog?
Cognac is the kind of brandy you use for eggnog. It may have a higher price than the usual liquor used, like whiskey and rum, but brandy’s taste is sweet, and it normally has a note of spice that escalates the drink’s flavor.
Key Takeaways
The best eggnog you can have as a holiday drink could be brandy eggnog. Cognac brandy is a good choice for these mixed drinks because its subtle smoothness does not overpower the drink. Bourbon whiskey eggnog or one with white rum is also a good choice.
But since this is for a special occasion, it wouldn’t be bad if you spent a bit on the alcohol you mix with your eggnog. Brandy is high proof, just like bourbon and rum, but its alcohol is tamed and rested. It is exactly the type of alcohol that can spike up your eggnog and elevate the flavor.
Reference:
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-know-congeners-alcohol
