This festive bourbon eggnog recipe with candied bacon is the perfect beverage for brunch or holiday sipping, and you’ll love the flavors and the way the glazed maple “bacon candy” compliments the spiked eggnog.
The sweet flavor of bourbon pairs perfectly with creamy eggnog, and is topped with a delectable swizzle of maple candied bacon. (This sweet-salty glazed bacon also tops our popular Maple Bacon Cupcakes.)
The rim of the glass is dipped in a delicious mixture of brown sugar, natural cane sugar and nutmeg for a sweet spicy accent with every sip. It’s one of the ultimate holiday bacon cocktails!
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I was inspired to create an eggnog drink after enjoying a bacon-enhanced beverage during brunch at Bacon Social House restaurant in Denver. The eatery serves a popular Breakfast Shot, which is a tasty blend of pecan whiskey, butterscotch schnapps, orange juice and a bacon slice. What a great idea!
Back in the BENSA test kitchen, I experimented with spirits, eggnog, glass rim mixtures, and our very popular Maple Candied Bacon to come up with the ultimate eggnog cocktail for bacon enthusiasts.
Why This Recipe is Worth Making
- Bourbon eggnog is a fun, festive drink for the holidays.
- It’s a perfect treat for your favorite bacon lover!
- Surprise your breakfast or brunch guests with this delicious cocktail.
- The recipe can be modified to suit your preferences; see our variations below.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For each drink you prepare, you’ll need the following ingredients:
1 strip Maple Candied Bacon – You’ll love our easy recipe for this sweet treat!
1 cup eggnog – You can use whole milk eggnog, lite, lactose-free, dairy-free or your favorite kind.
1 ounce bourbon or whiskey – Feel free to use your favorite brand of bourbon; the spirit’s natural sweetness pairs perfectly with the eggnog. We used a pecan praline whisky aged in bourbon barrels for this batch. You can read more about the difference between whiskey and bourbon below.
Nutmeg – we love freshly grated nutmeg for its tasty, spicy flavor, but you can also use ground nutmeg.
Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work equally well for this recipe.
Natural sugarcane sugar crystals or Demerara sugar – The coarse sparkling sugar is combined with the nutmeg and brown sugar for the mixture to dip the glass rim, which adds a little burst of sweet spicy flavor to the drink.
Equipment Needed
You probably already have everything you need on hand to prepare this simple drink:
10 ounce mug or glass – one for each drink.
Shot glass – to measure the bourbon. By the way, although the standard measure for a shot glass is 1 ounce, many contain 1.5 or 2 ounces. It’s a good idea to check the volume before using.
Long handled spoon – to stir your delicious drink.
Shallow saucer – for dipping the rims of the mug.
Nutmeg grater (optional) – if you would like freshly grated nutmeg in the rim sugar and on top of your drink.
Directions
Combine the nutmeg, brown sugar and natural cane sugar, and spread in a small saucer. Dip your finger in water and run it around the edge of the glass to moisten. Dip the edge of the glass in the sugar mixture.
Carefully pour the eggnog and bourbon in the glass and stir gently with the long handled spoon. Garnish with a strip of bacon and give a tiny shake of grated nutmeg.
The Difference Between Whiskey and Bourbon
When it comes to bourbon vs. whiskey, the easiest rule to remember is that bourbon is a specific type of whiskey. All bourbon is whiskey, in other words, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
According to the American Bourbon Association, a whiskey must be distilled from a mixture of grains containing at least 51% corn in order to be classified as bourbon. The spirit can’t contain colorings or additives, and must be aged in new charred oak barrels.
Recipe Variations
Instead of bourbon, you can spike the eggnog with a different liquor such as rum, cognac or brandy.
For a little added spice you can use ground cinnamon in place of (or in addition to) the nutmeg.
Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for an extra-decadent topping.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover eggnog with bourbon can be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days.
FAQs
Use your favorite brand, or look for a brand with more pronounced malt, caramel and oak flavor notes to compliment the sweetness of the eggnog.
Add 1 ounce of bourbon to an 8-ounce cup of eggnog. You can always adjust the amount up or down to suit your tastes.
Yes! Spiking your eggnog with bourbon whiskey will add sweet flavors; scotch whiskey will add a stronger, smoky flavor; rye whiskey will add a spicier flavor, and Irish whiskey tends to add a pure, clean flavor.
A ratio of 4 parts eggnog to 1 part bourbon or alcohol will give you plenty of delicious flavor without being too strong.
Try Some of Our Other Popular Bacon Recipes
If you love the flavor of delicious bacon used in unique ways, check out these delicious recipes:
Candied Ginger and Bacon Fat Cookies
Here’s the full, printable eggnog recipe:
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Bourbon Eggnog with Maple Candied Bacon
Equipment
- glass mug
- long handled spoon
- nutmeg grater (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon natural sugarcane crystals or Demerara sugar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus extra for sprinkling
- 8 ounces eggnog
- 1 ounce bourbon or whiskey
- 1 strip Maple Candied Bacon (see Notes below)
Instructions
- Combine the natural sugar, brown sugar and nutmeg and spread out in a small saucer. Dip your finger in water and run it around the edge of the mug or glass to moisten. Dip the edge of the mug or glass in the sugar mixture.
- Carefully pour the eggnog in the mug or glass, and add the bourbon.
- Stir gently with a long handled spoon until blended. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg and serve.
Notes
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes!
Nutrition
Got questions? Just ask! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this Bourbon Eggnog recipe, I’d be thrilled if you clicked the little stars above and gave the recipe a 5-star rating. If you post your creations on social media, tag #BENSABaconLovers so I can share! Thank you for your support. – Eliza
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist, and any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.
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Made this over the weekend and already cant wait to make it again! Perfect for the holidays.
This is such a fun and festive drink, thank you! We love the spiced rim and the booze-y eggnog!
What a fun holiday drink! I can’t wait to try this — will be adding it to our holiday party menu for sure!
Oh my deliciousness! I’ve never had bourbon in eggnog and it sounds amazing! I’m trying this as soon as possible!
Oh man. This is something else. Never would I have thought to do this, yet after trying it, it’s so obviously something that needed to be done!