Cousin Eddie’s Irish Eggnog

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Cocktail History

The Cousin Eddie’s Irish Eggnog is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created as a spiked version of holiday eggnog. Its inspiration came from an iconic scene in the 1989 film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in which Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie enjoy eggnog in the moose mugs. Since their beverage was from the family punch bowl, it probably wasn’t very boozy, but if it were, it could have tasted something like this Irish take made with whiskey, eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Irish Stout Whiskey: This is a type of whiskey made in Ireland with barley, maize, water, and spices that is triple-distilled in beer barrels. I used Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey.

Eggnog: This is a rich sweetened beverage made with milk, cream, sugar, egg yolk, and whipped egg white. I used Organic Valley Eggnog.

Vanilla Extract: This is a flavoring made with vanilla beans, ethyl alcohol, and water. I used Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract.

Chocolate Bitters: This is a food product made with chocolate, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters.

Grated Nutmeg: This is a warm, aromatic spice made from the seed of the nutmeg tree. I used Frontier Co-op Whole Nutmeg.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Grater: This is a tool that’s used to finely shred or zest ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips Grater.

Moose Mug: This is a novelty glass that’s sculpted into a moose shape. I used the Christmas Moose Mug Goblet.

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Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright white color

• Aroma: Nutmeg and whiskey

• Taste: Malty eggnog flavor accented with dark and spicy whiskey and chocolate

• Finish: Sweet vanilla and rich, sweet eggnog

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “Eggnog is another holiday beverage that I didn’t grow up drinking at Christmas, and even though I’ve had it several times in adulthood, I still shy away from it due to its high egg content and overall heaviness. That said, this boozy version dreamed up in honor of the fan-favorite Christmas classics is delicious! I really liked the addition of whiskey even though it’s not a spirit I drink often, and the vanilla and chocolate notes were great additions to round out the other flavors. Make Cousin Eddie’s Irish Eggnog in a moose mug soon, and it just might become a Christmas staple at your house too!”

Recipe