Two glasses of Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog

Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog

Eggnog is synonymous with Christmas for many people. This Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog is our family’s fun spin on the classic version!

Two glasses of Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog
Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog

Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog is one of our new family traditions. I added a bit of fun to the classic version so it felt more like our family, and we love it! This eggnog recipe is very easy to edit so that it reflects your own family, or to make non-alcoholic for any children and non-drinkers at your gathering!

Two glasses of Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog, with cinnamon, sugar, and toasted coconut flakes on top.

This post first appeared December 23, 2012 as part of the Simple Sundays series. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen!

Christmas as a Child

Some say that the holidays are for the children. And in many ways, that is true. When you are little, the magic of Christmas blends with the traditions created by your family, each year creating memories and joy that we continually look back upon decades later. Some of those traditions we pass on, and some we create brand new.

I often wonder, What will my children remember of our Christmases together? As we spent some time away this week, escaping to the snow of Lake Tahoe, I realized that they will surely remember long drives where rain turns into snow, the landscape transforming from rolling green hills to rocky peaks and pine trees, pure and white. They will probably remember mornings eating oatmeal by the fireplace, the elf on the shelf smiling down on them (he followed us on vacation!)…mornings full of skiing (or snowboarding – my little guy decided this year he was making the switch). Evenings that begin with hearty dinners and end with hot cocoa.

A pitcher of eggnog ready to serve.

Mama, tell us a story of when you were little, they begged as I tucked them into bed. We had just watched The Christmas Carol snuggled together on the couch. I remembered my own winter evenings, as a little girl. I told them how we would watch the Christmas specials on tv, too, but instead of jelly beans or cups of cocoa, we would sit with warm napkins of roasted chestnuts or peeling grapefruits.

Eggnog always mystified me. It was a holiday tradition I yearned for. It has always seemed quintessential to Yuletide cheer, however, it was never something my mother ever made. She had enough memories to recreate.

Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog reading to drink! A green christmas garland with red berries is in the background.

Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog

We are back from the snow, and I’m finally in my kitchen again. I spent all day cooking and baking. The first thing I made was eggnog… made in a way I believe that my mother would have loved. But as I stirred the sweetened coconut milk to a steamy froth, I smiled knowing that my daughter would adore it, too. Her love for coconuts has me dreaming up so many ways to cook with them. I sometimes joke that this blog will be known as the coconut blog.

A cup of Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog for her. A cup for all of us. A taste of tradition and my family’s favorite flavors. I don’t know if it is something my children will toast with when they begin their own families, but for now, it is ours.

Two glasses of Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog sitting on a linen napkin beside cinnamon sticks.

More Holiday Drink Recipes!

Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito
Mulled Wine (Gløgg)
Chai Hot Toddy
Pomegranate Cranberry Moscow Mule

Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog

It wasn't until after I made this Coconut Hazelnut Eggnog that I learned of the Puerto Rican Coquito, which is quite similar with its rum spiked coconut milk. As I mentioned, eggnog is still new to me, but a drink I just knew I would love. This decadent version with coconut milk and hazelnut liqueur can easily be made kid-friendly by omitting the liqueur, or substituting with a hazelnut syrup.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Puerto Rican
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Servings 6
Calories 466kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup hazelnut liqueur
  • 6 egg whites optional
  • 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut for garnish (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Prepare an ice bath and set it aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut milk, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and vanilla over medium low heat. Whisk periodically until the sugar is fully dissolved and the milk begins to steam and slowly comes to a gentle simmer.
  • As the coconut milk heats up, whisk the remaining sugar into the egg yolks, beating continually until the eggs are paler in color and smooth in texture.
  • When the coconut milk is just scalded, pour about 1/4 cup of the coconut milk in a gentle stream into the egg yolks as you whisk it together. Add another 1/4 cup of coconut milk and whisk thoroughly. Pour the warmed egg yolks into the saucepan and whisk into the rest of the coconut milk.
  • Add the cinnamon and nutmeg and stir constantly over medium low heat until it begins to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Stir in the hazelnut liqueur.
  • Place saucepan into the ice bath and stir as the eggnog cools. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • If you wish to use egg whites, beat the whites will a few tablespoons of sugar until frothy. Gently fold into the cooled eggnog. This is optional, especially if you are concerned about consuming raw egg.
  • Serve garnished with flaked coconut and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

Notes

Adapted from Amazingly Good Eggnog, AllRecipes.com.

Nutrition

Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 6mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. fanny

    I follow this method to do it. Tastes better.Combination of taste, I like a balanced diet, a variety of protein and vitamin supplements so that they will have good health. I really like. Like your articles, thank you and happy,

    Reply
  2. Julia {The Roasted Root}

    Merry Christmas!! This eggnog recipe looks fantastic! I love coconut milk and bet using the full-fat kind for this recipe give it an unparalleled richness! Can’t wait to try the recipe!

    Reply
  3. angela@spinachtiger

    I think I would love this egg nog I know that coconut and nutmeg go wonderfully together and I think you really captured the moment . Merry Christmas, Angela

    Reply
  4. Sandra's Easy Cooking

    This is such a great post, and yes your kids will remember every bit of it! I love coconut and thankfully my daughter too (but my boys not so much). Fantastic recipe and pictures are just incredible as ever! You are wonderful mom, and I wish you many more memories that you build with your kids. Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!!

    Reply
    • liren

      I can only hope so, Sandra! Thank you :) You know how it is, we try as much as we can to make things just so for our children, we can only hope they look back at the food we cook and the memories we make with smiles one day. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!!! xoxo

      Reply
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