Can You Freeze Eggnog? If you’re in the mood to kick off the holiday season, eggnog – the egg-fortified beverage that’s front and centre every festive season – is a lovely and delectable drink mixed with milk, sugar, cream, and alcohol. Eggnog is unquestionably a must-have throughout the winter season and an almost fundamental component of Christmas.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Now, whether you prefer store-bought eggnog or want to make it at yourself, we’re sure you’ll want to find ways to extend its shelf life or preserve it for as long as possible.
Which leads us to the crucial question: can eggnog be frozen? And the answer is, luckily, yes. Both homemade and store-bought eggnog can be frozen for later use.
Even if the methods varies slightly, your frozen eggnog can stay blissfully tucked away in your freezer for at least a couple of months if you follow our simple guide on the proper containers and conditions.
So make the holiday season stretch a bit longer by storing your eggnog so you may enjoy it even after the holidays are past.
Eggnog in the freezer
As you might expect, homemade eggnog has a shorter shelf life in the refrigerator than commercial eggnog. Homemade eggnog will only survive a day in the refrigerator, whereas commercially prepared and pasteurised eggnog will last three to four days.
When it comes to freezing, though, both homemade and store-bought eggnog usually last at least six months. Because the beverage is primarily dairy-based, it’s important to stick to the time limit and avoid eating frozen eggnog beyond that. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Freeze Eggnog Made at Home
For some families, making eggnog at home is an important element of their holiday traditions. Many people even claim to have passed down their eggnog recipe from generation to generation, with that one’secret’ ingredient that makes it’so much better’ than store-bought eggnog.
However, if you’re feeling a bit too joyful, you might prepare a little too much eggnog and want to save it for later.
Can You Freeze Eggnog
When freezing homemade eggnog, there are a few important steps to remember:
Step 1: Set it aside to cool.
Allow your eggnog to cool entirely at room temperature after it’s finished.
This avoids the formation of steam or vapours within the storage container.
Step 2: Leave Space in the Container/Bag for Expansion
Once the eggnog has cooled completely, carefully transfer it to a freezer bag or a sturdy plastic freezer container with an airtight lid.
A plastic freezer bag is a superior option because it takes up less space and protects the contents from freezer burn.
Here’s a helpful hint: after pouring the eggnog, leave an inch or two of room in the bag or container. This is crucial since eggnog expands somewhat after freezing, and you don’t want the container or bag to explode in your freezer, causing a huge mess and wasting all of your hard work!
Step 3: Place the Eggnog in the freezer after labelling it.
Finally, it’s a good idea to write the date on the bag or container so you can keep track of how long the eggnog will be edible.
If the eggnog is in a bag, keep it somewhere where no other objects will be stacked on top of it to avoid it bursting under pressure.
How to Freeze Eggnog from the Store
The same procedures may be used to keep leftover commercial eggnog, which is convenient. Fill a plastic container or freezer bag halfway with the remaining beverage, mark it with the date, and store it in the freezer.
Here’s what you should do if you have an unopened carton of eggnog:
- Place the carton in the freezer upright for a couple of hours.
- Transfer the eggnog to a plastic freezer bag, label it with the date, and keep it in the freezer after it’s totally frozen.
How to Thaw Eggnog Safely
Because eggnog contains raw eggs and milk, it’s critical to understand and follow the proper thawing procedures.
Taking eggnog out of the freezer and immediately placing it in the fridge is the best and safest way to defrost it. You may need to put it in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight to allow it to thaw completely. This guarantees that all of the ingredients are safe to eat.
Eggnog should never be thawed at room temperature. This puts the components at danger of spoilage and sourness, as well as causing them to separate and become uneven, resulting in a lumpy, inconsistent, and inedible beverage.
Eggnog can be kept in the fridge for three days after it has been thawed. If it has been warmed, however, it is recommended to consume it completely rather than returning it to the fridge.
If you’re going to make eggnog with alcohol, make sure it’s at least 20% alcohol. This helps destroy bacteria in raw eggs in less than 24 hours, allowing the beverage to last longer.
How to Reheat Eggnog in a Safe Way
It’s just as vital to know how to safely reheat it as it is to know how to defrost it.
Simply put eggnog to a saucepan and cook over a low flame on the stove to reheat. Alternatively, you can microwave it on low for about 30 seconds, checking after that.
Because it is a liquid, a little separation of the ingredients after thawing and warming is to be expected. To fix this, simply give the warm eggnog a good stir, and it will return to its smooth consistency. If the ingredients still don’t seem to be reintegrating, put the eggnog in a blender and blend until it’s foamy, creamy, and homogeneous.
Is Eggnog Safe to Refreeze?
Eggnog that has been thawed and warmed should never be frozen again.
Assume you have a huge batch of eggnog that you want to freeze but don’t think you’ll be able to finish it after it’s defrosted. In such scenario, freezing the eggnog in smaller quantities in plastic freezer bags and stacking them on top of one another or placing them all in one large plastic bag is preferable. You may thaw one batch at a time this way and avoid wasting your valuable beverage.
What’s the Best Temperature to Keep Eggnog at?
To keep the eggnog fresh for as long as possible, keep it at a consistent temperature and avoid temperature swings.
Freeze the eggnog at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius) to ensure that it keeps its quality for months.
How Can You Tell whether Eggnog That Has Been Thawed and Reheated Is Safe to Eat?
After thawing and reheating, if the eggnog has become excessively runny or uneven, it’s best to discard it as inedible. Also, inspect the odour, colour, and taste (tasting a bit to see if it tastes sour) of the beverage, and if they seem suspicious, toss it out.
Conclusion
By freezing and storing your particular eggnog, you may extend your holiday season all year. And there’s more: frozen eggnog is a fantastic complement to desserts, so having a frozen batch on hand is a wonderful idea, especially when eggnog isn’t in season and you’re seeking a sweet treat.
Simply freeze an additional batch, thaw, reheat, mix together, and serve hot or cold, whether it’s your favourite commercial beverage or a special homemade batch.
Related Articles :-
- Can You Freeze Cabbage?
- Can You Freeze Brie?
- Can You Freeze Crawfish?
- Can You Freeze Coffee Creamer?
- What Does Marlin Taste Like?
