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This creamy vanilla custard drink is everything you love about eggnog. It’s smooth, rich, and full of cozy vanilla flavor, but with a lighter twist, and perfect for a solo treat.
If you’re craving a comforting, creamy drink that’s indulgent but doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down, this recipe is for you!
Over the past two weeks I’ve been enjoying this warm vanilla custard drink every night before bed. It’s so good, I’m seriously considering replacing my morning coffee with it. After all, it’s much more nutritious and tastes just like custard. That’s certainly a win; I don’t need much more convincing than that!
It’s not just for breakfast, though. This cozy drink is perfect any time of the day. If you’re looking for a comforting drink to enjoy next to a fire, or just looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, this single-serve custard drink recipe is your new go-to!
Why I Consider This Vanilla Custard Drink "Eggnog Lite"
The difference between this vanilla custard drink and traditional eggnog is the use of lighter ingredients, and the overall flavor profile. It has that creamy, custardy essence of eggnog but it’s simpler and lighter in form:
Fewer Ingredients: Traditional eggnog typically includes heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and often spices like nutmeg and/or cinnamon. This recipe uses just milk, a full egg, maple syrup and vanilla.
No Heavy Cream: Eggnog is known for its decadence, which is achieved by using heavy cream or half-and-half. This recipe uses milk, which gives it a lighter texture and lower fat content.
Simpler Sweetener: Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness compared to regular sugar. It gives the drink a more wholesome and caramel-like flavor. However, you can certainly swap the maple syrup for regular sugar, and it’ll still be absolutely delicious.
Spices: Eggnog is typically spiced with vanilla, nutmeg and/or cinnamon, while this version uses just vanilla. It’s more straightforward and custard-like.
Essential Ingredients Needed
When these simple ingredients are combined together, they make a comforting, creamy drink that’s both indulgent and nutritious:
Egg: This is the star ingredient; it adds body and richness to the drink, and gives it that smooth, custard-like texture. I use fresh, high-quality eggs, as it makes a noticeable difference in the taste and creaminess.
Milk: Use full-fat milk for the creamiest result. You can also use dairy-free alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract infuses this drink with a warm, fragrant sweetness that perfectly complements the custard flavor.
Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that adds a subtle caramel-like flavor and ties the ingredients together nicely.
Pinch of Salt: A small but important add-in that balances the sweetness and flavors of the drink.
How to Make This Vanilla Custard Drink for One
This simple recipe comes together pretty quickly. The only real effort is the need to constantly stir it on the stove until it thickens, but it’s well worth the wait.
Supplies:
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or fork
- Fine mesh strainer (or blender/immersion blender)
- Favorite mug
Ingredients:
- 1 cup full-fat milk (can also use almond, oat, or coconut milk)
- 1 1/2 – 2 tbsp maple syrup (can also use granulated sugar or coconut sugar)
- Small pinch of salt
- 1 whole egg
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, maple syrup, and small pinch of salt, and heat just until it starts to bubble (stir occasionally to avoid scorching at the bottom).
- While the milk is heating, whisk the egg in a separate cup or bowl.
- Once the milk mixture begins to bubble, pour about 1-2 tablespoons of the hot milk into the egg, and immediately whisk together. Continue whisking 1-2 tablespoons of milk at a time into the egg, until you’ve added roughly half of the milk. This is called “tempering” the egg, which is a technique used to gently heat the egg to prevent it from curdling/scrambling when added to the hot milk.
- Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the milk, and heat on low for about 5-8 minutes while stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens slightly. This usually takes 5-8 minutes for me.
- When finished, it should be slightly thick and coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, then pour into your favorite mug through a fine mesh strainer (to catch any potential pieces of cooked egg). Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender, or a regular blender, to blend it all together before enjoying!
Tips for Perfecting Your Vanilla Custard Drink
Temper the Egg: To avoid curdling, add the hot milk slowly into the whisked egg, and stir constantly.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh milk, a high-quality egg, and pure vanilla extract make all the difference in flavor.
Don’t Overheat: Once the egg mixture is added to the saucepan, make sure to keep the heat on low and stir constantly to avoid scrambling the egg. When finished it should be slightly thick and coat the back of a spoon. This can take 5-10 minutes, and patience is key. I once thought I could raise the temperature to medium-low to speed up the process. Nope, no, no bueno.. I ended up with a milky egg scramble!
Strain or Blend: Even if your technique is flawless, pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or blend it for a silky smooth finish (because you will likely still find tiny bits of cooked egg, unless you don’t mind that).
Adjust Sweetness: Start with 1.5 tbsp of maple syrup – or sweetener of choice – and add more as needed to suit your taste.
Just a heads up: this post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them. These are all items I’ve personally used and love. Thank you for supporting my blog! 😊
Variations to Try
Dairy-Free: Swap the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk.
Protein and Nutrition Boost: Add a scoop of plain collagen powder to the mixture.
Spiced: Top your vanilla custard drink with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cinnamon for a festive, spiced version.
Sweetener Swap: Use honey instead of maple syrup or sugar. Just use a bit less honey, as it’s generally sweeter than sugar. You can also use monkfruit sweetener for a natural zero-calorie option.
Caffeine Kick: Add a shot of espresso to the mixture for a nice pick-me-up.
Boozy Kick: Mix in a splash of rum, brandy, or bourbon for a grown-up treat.
Cold Treat: Place your drink in the refrigerator to enjoy it cold, or let it cool and then blend it with ice!
Garnish: Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or toasted shredded coconut for extra indulgence.
Pair it: While this drink is delicious on its own, it pairs wonderfully with my browned butter chocolate chip cookies for two, low fat sourdough pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or small batch sourdough pumpkin spice bread.
Final Thoughts
This creamy vanilla custard drink, aka “eggnog lite,” is simple, flavorful, and versatile. Enjoy it as a snack, dessert, or even breakfast. It’s such a comforting treat that’s so easy to whip up any time.
Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly evening or looking for a quick, single-serve treat, this drink will definitely hit the spot.
You can customize it to your taste and experiment with variations to make it truly your own. I hope you’ll embrace this delightful custard drink every time you seek comfort and a touch of sweetness. Enjoy!
Vanilla Custard Drink for One: Eggnog Lite Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or Fork
- Fine mesh strainer (or blender/immersion blender)
- Favorite mug
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat milk (can also use almond, oat, or coconut milk)
- 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp maple syrup (can also use granulated sugar or coconut sugar)
- Small pinch of salt
- 1 whole large egg
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, maple syrup, and small pinch of salt, and heat just until it starts to bubble (stir occasionally to avoid scorching at the bottom).
- While the milk is heating, whisk the egg in a separate cup or bowl.
- Once the milk mixture begins to bubble, pour about 1-2 tablespoons of the hot milk into the egg, and immediately whisk together. Continue whisking 1-2 tablespoons of milk at a time into the egg, until you’ve added roughly half of the milk. This is called “tempering” the egg, which is a technique used to gently heat the egg to prevent it from curdling/scrambling when added to the hot milk.
- Pour the egg mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the milk, and heat on low for about 5-8 minutes while stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens slightly.
- When finished, it should be slightly thick and coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, then pour into your favorite mug through a fine mesh strainer (to catch any potential pieces of cooked egg). Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender, or a regular blender, to blend it all together before enjoying!
Notes
Tips
- Temper the Egg: To avoid curdling, add the hot milk slowly into the whisked egg, and stir constantly.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh milk, a high-quality egg, and pure vanilla extract make all the difference in flavor.
- Don’t Overheat: Once the egg mixture is added to the saucepan, make sure to keep the heat on low and stir constantly to avoid scrambling the egg. When finished it should be slightly thick and coat the back of a spoon. This can take 5-10 minutes, and patience is key. I once thought I could raise the temperature to medium-low to speed up the process. Nope, no, no bueno.. I ended up with a milky egg scramble!
- Strain or Blend: Even if your technique is flawless, pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or blend it for a silky smooth finish (because you will likely still find tiny bits of cooked egg, unless you don't mind that).
- Adjust Sweetness: Start with 1.5 tbsp of maple syrup - or sweetener of choice - and add more as needed to suit your taste.
Variations:
- Dairy-Free: Swap the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk.
- Protein and Nutrition Boost: Add a scoop of plain collagen powder to the mixture.
- Spiced: Top with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cinnamon for a festive, spiced version.
- Sweetener Swap: Use honey instead of maple syrup or sugar. Just use a bit less honey, as it’s generally sweeter than sugar. You can also use monkfruit sweetener for a natural zero-calorie option.
- Caffeine Kick: Add a shot of espresso to the mixture for a nice pick-me-up.
- Boozy Kick: Mix in a splash of rum, brandy, or bourbon for a grown-up treat.
- Cold Treat: Place your drink in the refrigerator to enjoy it cold, or let it cool and then blend it with ice!
- Garnish: Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or toasted shredded coconut for extra indulgence.
- Pair it: While this drink is delicious on its own, it pairs wonderfully with my browned butter chocolate chip cookies for two, low fat sourdough pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or small batch sourdough pumpkin spice bread.
This was so good. Thank you.