Eggnog Chai Smoothie

I had not bought eggnog in years and I’m not exactly sure why.

This smoothie reminded me what I have been missing.

And what a fool I’ve been the past few holiday seasons for not eggnogging it up.

I like eggnog best when it’s doctored up with other flavors.

I had some chai spice on hand and combined that with some sugars, a banana, the eggnog and seconds later got my ‘nog on.

Creamy, sweet, frothy, and made me feel like the holidays and Christmas are just around the corner.  They are, but it’s been unseasonably warm here and the eggnog reminded me that yes, it really is almost Christmas.

The chai flavor was present and delicious, but if you are not a chai fan, you can skip it.

I loved it in this smoothie and think it complemented the eggnog well.

Then again, rum would complement the eggnog well, too.

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Eggnog Chai Smoothie

1 c eggnog

1 medium banana (previously frozen in chunks is optimal but not necessary)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c white sugar

1/4 c brown sugar

1 c ice

1/2 tsp + chai spice blend, or more to taste (buy it here or here or here)

Make your own chai spice blend by combining and mixing the following in a small bowl:

• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon white pepper (or 1/2 teaspoon black pepper)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Store the extra spice blend in a cool dark place in a covered container

Optional:

Add nutmeg, garam masala, allspice, all to taste.

Use another sweetener such as stevia in place of the sugar.

The banana is mostly added for texture rather than flavor.  You could replace the banana with approximately 1/2 c soaked cashews or approximately 1 c tofu, pressed and diced, if desired.

Add 1 ounce of rum or other liquor, i.e. Bourbon, brandy, whiskey, cognac, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec, Vodka, Malibu, etc.

Directions: Combine eggnog, banana, chai spice, other spices, sugars, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  In a Vita-Mix, this took about 20 seconds.

Yields: About 2 cups of smoothie.

Tips:

All ingredients listed are essentially optional and to taste.  Adjust seasoning types and levels to your palate and preferences.

Share with a friend or save half for later in the freezer and remove frozen portion about 30 minutes prior to drinking to allow it to melt a bit and come up to room temperature.  It’s best when slightly melty for optimal creamy flavor.  I make double portions of all my smoothies as long as I am dirtying dishes, I make extra.

Steep one teaspoon of chai spice blend in a teapot with your favorite tea for a delicious treat or add to coffee, water, etc.

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Apparently everyone had nog on the noggin’ the past few days because my local TJ’s was sold out of the regular version of eggnog.

 The Trader Joe’s Light Egg Nog I used was a little “thin” tasting on it’s own, but used with the banana and other ingredients, it was perfect for smoothie making.

This smoothie and eggnog and the tweaks I can make and the directions I can go with it will be on my noggin’ for awhile.

I’m thinking:

eggnog and coffee

chai spice + bananas + eggnog in muffins

eggnog cake

chai spice anything

Oh, so many things I could make….

But for now I slurp.

Questions:

1. Do you like eggnog?  If so, favorite brand or recipe?  With or without alcohol added?

It’s a seasonal offering and that puts the buy-it-now-or-else pressure on and of course I’d like to buy a tasty version of it.

And alcohol added is welcome, depending on the time of day or what else is going on.

Some days you just need a little somethin’ somethin’ extra.

2. Do you like chai spice?

It’s one of those flavors not everyone ‘loves’.  Same with eggnog, some people love it, some people would rather leave it.

I like it but occasionally rather than daily.  I know some people could drink a chai latte every day.  I’m not in that category but I do enjoy a good chai drink every now and then.

P.S. A few of my other recent favorite smoothies are

Blueberry Banana Recovery Smoothie

Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie  <— dessert in a cup!

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