HOMEMADE DAIRY FREE COCONUT RUM EGGNOG

Happy winter solstice, beautiful people! I’m back today with my Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog — a festive holiday beverage that’s been in my family for decades, but has recently undergone a contemporary, plant-based makeover! I have so many cherished memories of our neighbours making this eggnog for everyone on our country road to enjoy on Christmas Eve (it never lasted long!). Unfortunately, over the years as I developed a dairy sensitivity I was no longer able indulge — that is, until last holiday season! I decided it was about time to give my favourite eggnog recipe a clean, dairy-free makeover by swapping milk and heavy creams with coconut-based alternatives, regular eggs for the free-run, local, farm-fresh variety, table sugar with 100% pure Canadian maple syrup, spiced rum for Eau Claire Distillery’s seasonal, Limited Edition Gin Rummy, infusing our homemade eggnog with cinnamon sticks and topping it off with decedent dark chocolate shavings. As always, this festive cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar — and has become my favourite healthier holiday indulgence!

We actually perfected this recipe last holiday season (who remembers the Stories?!) shortly after I discovered Eau Claire Distillery (I’ve since used almost every single spirit they make in my COCKTAILS!). During our lazy, cozy days in the country between Christmas and New Years Eve, I took a trip to the visit their distillery in Turner Valley with my Mom (who loves gin) and my brother (who was home from New York and loves cocktails) for a tour and tasting — and that’s where my love affair with these incredible, farm-to-glass, artisinal spirits began. For their Christmas presents, my Mom and brother chose a bottle of their favourite spirit, on me. Gin Rummy was Jared’s spirit of choice — a unique, wintery, gin-meets-rum remix boasting warm notes of winter spice with a botanical, herbaceous backdrop. It was actually this limited edition spirit that inspired the makeover of our favourite holiday eggnog recipe — as soon as it hit my lips, I knew it was the missing ingredient! As we enjoyed the second batch of experimental eggnog for New Years Eve, my family confessed they actually liked it better than the original version — and that’s when I knew I had to share our update Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog with you! To celebrate our one year anniversary and thank you for your support this year, I’ve teamed up with Eau Claire Distillery to give away a bottle of Limited Edition Gin Rummy, along with a Tour & Tasting for 2 at Turner Valley’s Eau Claire Distillery (check out the bottom of this post for details on how to enter!). Cheers and happy holidays!

HOMEMADE DAIRY FREE COCONUT RUM EGGNOG

Am I the only one who didn’t enjoy store-bought eggnog growing up? During this time of year, everyone went crazy for the stuff — but not me! Even as a child I didn’t like overly sweet, creamy things like ice cream, milkshakes and eggnog. Now having developed a dairy sensitivity as an adult, I think it was my body’s way of telling me, even as a child, that those things simply didn’t agree with me.

That said, my neighbours eggnog recipe was a game-changer for me! I had no idea that eggnog could be so delicious — sweet and creamy (but not overly so) and perfectly spiced. But with all the plant-based, better-for-you substitutes I’ve made, I’m confident to say this is the best homemade eggnog I’ve ever tasted! The subtle coconut flavour imparts an unexpected tropical vibe and Eau Claire’s Gin Rummy lends beautiful herbal note that you wouldn’t typically find in traditional spiked eggnog (this recipe originally called for spiced rum), but the gin botanicals work so well to cut richness of this indulgent libation. If you’ve never tried homemade eggnog, I hope this recipe inspires you to give it a try!

Don’t let these glitzy photos fool you, this is an incredibly simply recipe that comes together with a handful of ingredients — all you need is a hand mixer and enough patience to let the alcohol do it’s thing and ‘cook’ the raw eggs for 4 hours. It’s pretty fool-proof! In fact, we’ve definitely made second batches of this recipe a little tipsy over the years (hey, I warned you it wouldn’t last long!) — and it’s worked out perfectly. From my family to yours, I hope you enjoy this Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog and that my Canadian friends enjoy the Gin Rummy Giveaway & Distillery Tour giveaway, if you’re entering (more details on that at the bottom of this post!). Best of luck to you!

Ingredients

Yield: 7 cups, approximately 8 – 12 servings

• 6 large, free range eggs
• 3/4 cup 100% pure Canadian maple syrup
• 2 cups dairy free, unsweetened coconut milk (I used So Delicious Unsweetened Organic Coconut Milk, it’s the texture of regular milk)
• 2 cups full fat coconut milk (I used the Real Thai Coconut Milk in the black container, it’s the texture of whipping cream and this is very important — the texture of the full fat coconut milk you use will make or break this recipe!)
• 1 cup (8 oz.) Eau Claire Distillery Gin Rummy (or spiced rum of choice)
• Pinch of nutmeg (or freshly grated, if you have it!)

OPTIONAL GARNISH

• Nutmeg
• Dairy free dark chocolate shavings
• Cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Begin by separating egg yolks from egg white in 2 large mixing bowls. Cover bowl of egg white and refrigerate — we’ll come back to them just before serving!

2. With a hand mixer, beat egg yolks until thick and custardy.

3. Beat in 1/2 cup of maple syrup, coconut milk and coconut cream until the mixture is light and frothy.

4. Stir in Eau Claire Gin Rummy or your spiced rum of choice. Whisk to combine.

5. Add 4 cinnamon sticks and a pinch of nutmeg (or freshly grated, if you have it) to the mixture.

6. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow the alcohol to ‘cook’ the eggs and sterilize the eggnog.

8. Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff.

9. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup of maple syrup until the mixture becomes glossy and forms stiff peaks.

10. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks, then fold in egg white mixture.

11. Sprinkle or grate Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog with nutmeg to serve — either in a large punch bowl or carafe.

12. Garnish each glass with dark chocolate shavings and a cinnamon stick if desired. Enjoy immediately!

Note: Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog will keep for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated — but I doubt it will last that long!

Print

HOMEMADE DAIRY FREE COCONUT RUM EGGNOG

Prep Time

15 mins

Resting Time

4 hrs

 

My Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog is a festive holiday beverage that's been in my family for decades, but has recently undergone a contemporary, clean, plant-based makeover! I swapped milk and heavy creams with coconut-based alternatives, regular eggs for the free-run, local, farm-fresh variety, table sugar with 100% pure Canadian maple syrup, spiced rum for Eau Claire Distillery's seasonal, Limited Edition Gin Rummy, infusing tour homemade eggnog with cinnamon sticks and topped it off with decedent dark chocolate shavings. As always, this festive cocktail is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar -- and has become my favourite healthier holiday indulgence!

Course: Drinks

Servings: 8

Author: Justine

Ingredients

• 6 large free range eggs
• 3/4 cup 100% pure Canadian maple syrup
• 2 cups dairy free unsweetened coconut milk I used So Delicious Unsweetened Organic Coconut Milk, it's the texture of regular milk
• 2 cups full fat coconut milk I used the Real Thai Coconut Milk in the black container, it's the texture of whipping cream and this is very important -- the texture of the full fat coconut milk you use will make or break this recipe!
• 1 cup 8 oz. Eau Claire Distillery Gin Rummy or spiced rum of choice
• Pinch of nutmeg or freshly grated, if you have it!

OPTIONAL GARNISH

• Nutmeg

• Cinnamon sticks
• Dairy free dark chocolate shavings


Instructions

1. Begin by separating egg yolks from egg white in 2 large mixing bowls. Cover bowl of egg white and refrigerate -- we'll come back to them just before serving!
2. With a hand mixer, beat egg yolks until thick and custardy.
3. Beat in 1/2 cup of maple syrup, coconut milk and coconut cream until the mixture is light and frothy.
4. Stir in Eau Claire Gin Rummy or your spiced rum of choice. Whisk to combine.
5. Add 4 cinnamon sticks and a pinch of nutmeg (or freshly grated, if you have it) to the mixture.
6. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow the alcohol to 'cook' the eggs and sterilize the eggnog.
7. Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff.
8. Gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup of maple syrup until the mixture becomes glossy and forms stiff peaks.

9. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks, then fold in egg white mixture.

10. Sprinkle or grate Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog with nutmeg to serve -- either in a large punch bowl or carafe.

11. Garnish each glass with dark chocolate shavings and a cinnamon stick if desired. Enjoy immediately!

Recipe Notes

Note: Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog will keep for up to 2 weeks, refrigerated -- but I doubt it will last that long!

{NOW CLOSED} GIN RUMMY & DISTILLERY TOUR GIVEAWAY!

I’m thrilled to partner with Eau Claire Distillery (once again!) to bring you this Gin Rummy & Distillery Tour Giveaway!

To enter to win a bottle of Limited Edition Gin Rummy, plus a tour and tasting for 2 at Eau Claire’s Turner Valley Distillery  valued at $78.95:

• Follow JustineCelina on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest
• Follow Eau Claire Distillery on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
• Leave a comment below telling me all about your favourite holiday beverage!

Bonus entry for Instagram users:

• Head over to this post and follow the instructions!

Contest open to Canadian residents until December 28th, 2018 at 11:59pm MST. Must be a Canadian resident of legal drinking age to enter. Good luck!

‘TIS THE SEASON! MORE FESTIVE LIBATIONS

Late Harvest Spiced Apple Sangria

Blood Orange Creamsicle Mimosas

Classic Winter Citrus Red Sangria

Vanilla Pomegranate Mulled Wine

Sparkling Pomegranate Cranberry Sangria

And if you’re in search of more holiday content, check out our Apartment Friendly Modern Holiday Decor or Ultimate Holiday Inspiration Roundup featuring a collection of 20 of my all time favourite festive posts across categories!

I hope you enjoy this modern, plant-based spin on traditional eggnog — and that if you avoid dairy like I do, you can finally indulge this holiday season! Adam and I are trying really hard not to drink this entire batch as I sit here editing this post — and both of our families have requested a batch for the holidays! We’re headed east Monday afternoon until New Years Eve, although Adam has to come back to work for a few days between Christmas and NYE. My brother is home from New York again for the holidays (I haven’t seen him since last year!) I’m really looking forward to some downtime in the country with family and old friends. One things for sure, many batches of this eggnog will be enjoyed!

As always, if you try my Homemade Dairy Free Coconut Rum Eggnog leave me a comment below, or tag me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook! If you end up making it this holiday season please report back and let me know — I absolutely love to hear from you! You can also use the hashtag #justinecelinacocktails in your recreations on social media so I can find them — I love it when you guys tag me so I can see what you make! I also have a Pinterest board for my recipes if you’re looking for more plant based culinary inspiration or better-for-you cocktail options with clean ingredients. Thanks for stopping by today for my latest cocktail recipe and best of luck if you’re entering the giveaway! Wishing you all a very happy, eggnog-ladden holiday season. Cheers!

Disclaimer: Thank you to my friends at Eau Claire Distillery for facilitating this giveaway and providing the Gin Rummy I used in this recipe, and to our neighbours Sandy and Jack for allowing me to share this modified recipe. This post is not sponsored and contains my genuine thoughts, ideas and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Thank you for supporting the brands and businesses that support JustineCelina.com!