Nothing soothes the heart on a cold day than a cup of eggnog. This dairy drink can be bought from the market or can be made at the home as well. But, many of us wonder if this frothy drink can be frozen or not. Are you also wondering the same thing? If yes, then keep reading.
Can Eggnog Be Frozen?
So, the answer to your question is yes. Yes, eggnog can be frozen. But, since it is made from delicate ingredients, you have to freeze it extremely carefully. Otherwise, you might notice some unpleasant changes in the structure of the drink.
How Can You Freeze the Eggnog?
The freezing process of the eggnog is quite easy. If you want to freeze the homemade eggnog, you must cool it first at room temperature. Once the drink has cooled down, you need to transfer it to the plastic container that has an airtight container. Make sure that you leave some space so that the liquid can expand during freezing.
If you want to freeze an unopened carton of eggnog, you just need to keep it in the freezer in an upright position. Once it has frozen completely, you just need to put it in the carton in a plastic bag. Place it back in the refrigerator in the same position that you placed it before.
You can freeze the eggnog drink at 0 degree Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) so that it can stay good for a few months. You should also label the container with a storage date. This is important in case you forget when you stored the drink.
What Happens If You Don’t Freeze Eggnog Properly?
Eggnog is prepared using some of the most delicate ingredients. This is why it is important that you freeze it properly. Imagine the disappointment you will have to face if you take it out of the refrigerator and the drink has gone bad. You surely would not want that to happen, right?
If you will not freeze eggnog properly, there are high chances that its structure will change. Apart from this, when eggnog is frozen improperly, it will also become lumpy when it is defrosted. This is why you must store the drink properly.
How Long Can You Keep the Eggnog in the Refrigerator?
You can easily keep the eggnog in the refrigerator for up to six months. But, you need to keep in mind that the eggnog prepared at home has a shorter lifespan than the eggnog bought from the market. The homemade eggnog can be kept in the refrigerator for a day only. Whereas, the eggnog prepared at home can be frozen for a longer period.
Want to know why the store made eggnog can be kept in the refrigerator for a longer period as compared to the one made at home? Well, it is because the eggnog bought from the store is pasteurized. This is why it stays in the fridge for a longer period as compared to the one prepared at home.
If you want the best results, we would recommend that you freeze the eggnog in a container. But, make sure that the container has a little extra room so that the eggnog can expand when it freezes. The extra room should be about half an inch from the top.
How Do You Defrost Eggnog?
No matter whether it is homemade or bought from the store, the eggnog can stay in the refrigerator for a period of six months. The method to defrost the eggnog is extremely easy. All you need to do is to put the container from the freezer to the fridge. Once you have transferred it to the fridge, you need to leave it overnight to thaw it. Make sure that you do not thaw the eggnog at room temperature. Otherwise, the ingredients of the eggnog will break down and take a lumpy form. It can even go bad due to the raw eggs.
Once the drink is properly thawed, you can easily reheat it. Do not worry if the ingredients of the eggnog separate during thawing as it is quite normal. All you need to do is just give the drink a good stir before the heating. It will bring back the ingredients together.
If you want a creamier and frothier drink after defrosting, all you need to do is pour the drink into the blender and keep blending it until it becomes thick and smooth.
What Happens to Eggnog When it Goes Bad?
If you do not freeze or thaw the eggnog properly, the drink can go bad. It is because of the fact that the drink is made from a lot of dairy products. This is why it can turn sour. When the eggnog turns bad, the drink can become lumpy. You might notice the mold appearing in it as well. Imagine the disappointment. So, make sure that you freeze and thaw the drink properly.
Can Eggnog be Used as a Coffee Creamer?
Did you know that many people use eggnog as a coffee creamer as well? Yes, that’s right. If you want to use the eggnog as a coffee creamer, all you need to do is get a small container of eggnog. You can easily use it as a coffee creamer. It has an extremely creamy structure that is even better and thicker than the regular cream.
Tips for Freezing Eggnog
Looking for some extra tips to freeze the eggnog? Let’s check them out below.
- Cooldown the homemade eggnog at room temperature before freezing it.
- Label the container before putting it in the freezer.
- Freeze the drink below 0°C or 32°F.
- Leave some space in the container for the drink to expand during freezing.
- Do not thaw the drink at room temperature.
- Stir the drink properly before reheating it.
- Reheat the eggnog properly after defrosting it.
- You can even blend the drink after defrosting if you want a thicker structure.
So, follow these tips and you will be able to enjoy your eggnog for a longer period.