How to Freeze & Thaw Eggnog (What You Need to Know)
Eggnog is a wonderful winter beverage. You can serve it hot on cold days or add some rum or brandy to warm yourself. Sadly, it doesn’t last long in the fridge, especially if it’s homemade—but can you freeze it then?
You can freeze eggnog by putting it in an airtight container or freezing the carton or bottle. Eggnog can last around 3 months in the freezer. It may lose some of its texture after being frozen, however. Thaw it slowly in the refrigerator to preserve the texture better.
You can freeze eggnog for as long as necessary, but if you don’t do it right, you’ll end up with a far cry from the delicious beverage you once had. This article will explain all you need to know to freeze eggnog without ruining it. Keep reading.
How To Freeze Eggnog
Eggnog in the fridge goes bad quickly, which makes a compelling case for freezing it. However, there’s an issue: eggnog ingredients—milk, cream, and egg yolks—don’t freeze very well.
You can freeze eggnog, but you should be careful about how you do it. Otherwise, the eggnog will take on an undesired watery texture. Here are some tips you should keep in mind when freezing eggnog.
Wait Until the Eggnog Has Cooled Down
To freeze eggnog, wait until it has cooled down and put it in an airtight freezer container. If it’s store-bought and closed, you can put the carton or bottle in the freezer as it is.
This step is especially important for homemade eggnog. Perhaps there are leftovers from a party, or you want to save them for a later occasion. Whatever the case, chances are that it was heated recently.
Freeze Eggnog Within 3 Days
Because of its ingredients, eggnog doesn’t stay fresh for too long in the fridge. If you don’t finish store-bought eggnog within a week, you’ll probably have to throw it away. Homemade eggnog lasts up to 3 days but only truly stays fresh for a day.
Store-bought eggnog can last a little longer after being opened, but you shouldn’t wait more than 5 days.
Put the Eggnog Inside an Airtight Container
Once it has cooled down, put your eggnog in an airtight freezer container. You want to make sure it’s not exposed to the cold air of your freezer. Raw egg can easily take on the aroma of other foods it’s exposed to.
Apply the same method to store an already opened store-bought eggnog.
If you bought eggnog from the store and you haven’t opened it, then feel free to simply put it in the freezer as it is. Once it’s frozen inside its carton, you can put it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to better preserve it.
How To Unfreeze Eggnog
There’s not much to freezing eggnog. The crucial step is actually how you unfreeze it, since it’s where there’s the highest chance of damaging its texture. Take the following precautions to preserve eggnog’s creamy texture for as long as possible.
Thaw the Eggnog in the Fridge
To unfreeze eggnog, move it from the freezer to the fridge and let it thaw overnight or longer.
When thawed quickly, milk may separate and curdle. If you leave frozen milk thawing outside the freezer, it could even give a chance for harmful bacteria to reproduce. Applying heat to frozen eggs can give them a tight and rubbery texture, so thaw them slowly.
The best way of unfreezing eggnog is by moving it from the freezer to the fridge, leaving it there to thaw slowly. Ideally, it would help if you waited 24 hours but left it at least overnight before moving it out of the fridge. Doing so will greatly help preserve its texture.
Consume Eggnog Soon After Unfreezing It
After unfreezing eggnog, you should consume it soon. If it’s homemade, it’s better to drink it the same day you unfreeze it. For store-bought eggnog, consume it within a few days.
Store the unfrozen eggnog in the refrigerator. If possible, don’t freeze it again. Doing so will severely affect its texture.
How Long Does Eggnog Last? (Fridge & Freezer)
Homemade eggnog lasts 2–3 days in the fridge. On the other hand, store-bought eggnog can last between 5 and 7 days after opening. Eggnog will last around 3 months in the freezer. The key to preserving eggnog is refrigerating it below 40°F (4.44°C) in the fridge.
The longer you leave the eggnog outside, the more chance it’ll catch mold and bacteria.
Egg yolks last around 2 days after being opened, which is why homemade eggnog goes bad quickly. Store-bought eggnog has preservatives that help extend its lifespan. But eggs are still the first ingredient to go bad.
You can tell if eggnog has gone bad with your eyes and nose. Bad eggnog becomes lumpy and can even grow mold. If it smells sour, the smell is likely coming from spoiled milk.
If the eggnog has alcohol and is well refrigerated, it should technically last indefinitely as the alcohol will keep it from forming bacteria. Still, check it to make sure it hasn’t gone bad.
Milk lasts up to 3 months in the freezer. Egg lasts as much as a year, but its texture and flavor worsen after 4 months. Avoid freezing eggnog for more than 3 months.
Conclusion
Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, you can freeze eggnog for as long as you need. Its texture won’t be as good as when it was just bought or made, but it will still be good to drink.
If you thaw it slowly in the fridge, you’ll preserve its texture much better. Wait until it has cooled down before freezing, and make sure you’re putting it in an airtight container.
