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!
Thanks for the $50 Asian Food Prize Pack Giveaway Entries
I love, love, LOVE eggnog. I put it in my coffee a lot this time of year. This smoothie looks awesome!
this would be great with some coffee added to it..like a cold coffee smoothie if you’re a hard core nog fan.
I HATE egg nog with a passion. The thickness of it just makes me want to barf. I like the flavor and the spices that go into it though. And again, we’re on the same wavelength – I was just day dreaming cookie edeas for chai and/or eggnog cookies! I want to try to make the cookies without actually using the nog though, just the flavor….
I always hated the flavor of eggnog until I tried the Silk Soy version. Um, not sure what the difference is, but love that one. And it’s so good in coffee. Love the idea of the muffins or maybe even eggnog pancakes/waffles.
Yum, I love the sound of this – especially the bananas making the smoothie all nice and thick. I find the true eggnogs to just be too heavy, so I like the Silk Brand. They made a pumpkin egg nog last year that was to die for!
some brands of certain things are just…gross. not with only nog, but w/ everything. LOL
with alcohol! (she says as she fondly looks forward to an evening gin martini). :)
i haven’t enjoyed eggnog since before becoming vegan, though, and i’m now curious if Silk offers a vegan alternative! i’m sure of it. and wow, the banana sounds like a fantastic addendum. good recipe! x
Pretty sure that yes, Silk is vegan, or the So Delicious coconut milk people….pretty sure they make a seasonal offering of ‘nog, too!
yes!!! i so much appreciate your response, and i will be on the lookout for these products!!! thank you, yoga girl!!! x
The silk “egg”nog is pretty good. I never liked eggnog before going vegan and the soy milk version was not bad.
That looks so delicious. I love that first sip of eggnog during the holidays. And a smoothie…all the better!
I love chai (and eggnog, but interestingly enough, chai more). Yesterday at work, someone brought in a whole box of chai tea because they had bought it, didn’t like it, and wanted to give it to someone who would make use of it. And I have indeed made use of it…about 5 cups worth by now!
I hardly eeeever drink it, but I’m going to change that right now! and have some for BREAKFAST.
I’m kidding.
I’ll wait for lunch.
I love egg nog, but usually have too much guilt over the calories to fully enjoy it! The soy stuff is OK but I find that soy makes my tummy hurt. This year I found So Delicious’ Coconut Milk Nog…and I am obsessed already. Closest to the real ting, but without the dairy and all the calories! (Which means I can add a splash of rum, haha.) Seriously though, it’s thick and just sweet enough, I’m pretty amazed by it. I’m gonna have to try this smoothie recipe with it ;)
I LOVE me some eggnog. I pinned this post before I even read the ingredients. Gotta make it, just gotta!
I love the occasional glass of nog! I’ve been wanting to try the soy nog and may pick some up this week. I’m thinking it’d be a fabulous coffee creamer. Not big into chai. Your mix looks so yummy
I love egg nog I think it’s silk brand (?) and chai is my favorite… I am one of those people who could have it daily – I like chai like others like chocolate
I know just what I’ll be making now for my first holiday party this weekend with all my friends. Definetely going to kick it up a notch with some rum I’m thinking. This sounds sooo wonderful I think it’ll be a big hit!
Enjoy it. And yes, kick it up and enjoy! :)
That smoothie looks AMAZING!
thanks!
I feel like I may be one of the few that isn’t swooning over egg nog. I mean I don’t mind it but I don’t seem to go crazy over it around this time of year. However, I am going crazy at how good this sounds. :)
I was never a big fan…just a meh thing for me. But infused with the rest of this recipe…I have been going to town on it :)
when I was younger, I would get excited for eggnog every year, and then only end up having a tiny cup of it. I think its thickness was a little intense for me. But there something about the smell of it that instantly brings me back to a festive spirit. Maybe I’ll try this lighter version at TJ’s.
As the “spice lady,” I LOVE chai spice. I’ve even used traditional chai spices in stir fries…so delicious and warming!
Thanks for sharing this idea, and for letting me know about the existence of light eggnog!
I love that you love spices. I bet you make your own chai spice and it’s probably delish!!