I Made Ranch-Flavored Eggnog So You Don't Have To
About this time of the year, every year, we all go a little bit crazy. We're running on fumes to complete our shopping lists, or we're working longer hours to finish up to-do lists. Or we're planning a last-minute Secret Santa with our friends. Or we're finalizing our cookie swap menu. December is when a time when chaos ensues—you feel it, and so do many of the food brands you know and love. It's around this time on the calendar we start receiving advertisements for chicken-scented yule logs, sausage-scented wrapping paper, and even....ranch eggnog.
I took it upon myself to try out the latter in service of Delish's wonderful readers. What is it they say about curiosity, again? It killed the cat? Well, maybe that cat wanted to drink some mezcal on a Wednesday afternoon. Who are we to judge, really?
I got my hands on a kit of Hidden Valley Ranch Nog, a beverage recipe that includes some Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning for a spin on the typical holiday eggnog. I was, understandably, skeptical before trying it out. Aside from the ranch seasoning, the recipe also calls for mezcal, maple syrup, ginger juice, heavy whipping cream, pasteurized egg white, rosemary, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The measurements are pretty small for the more divisive ingredients, like the ranch seasoning and mezcal, while the recipe requires more hefty amounts of the sweet ingredients you see in more typical eggnog recipes.
With a nervous heart, I got all the ingredients together, muddled, and shook. My most honest review? You guys...the finished product isn't that bad. I would even go as far as to say that it's kind of good. The flavor of the ranch seasoning folds into the smokiness of the mezcal, which is sweetened by the heavy whipping cream and maple syrup. I wouldn't necessarily say I'll be pounding glasses of this nog all holiday weekend, but I did go back in for quite a few sips after my initial taste test.
Hey, maybe this is our sign that it's never too late to mix up our holiday traditions. To heck with sugar cookies and milk for Santa! Ol' Saint Nick is getting a goblet of Ranch Nog when he comes to my house this year. I said what I said.
The Ranch Nog kit was originally available for a limited time on Hidden Valley's merch site and has since sold out, so there must be some people out there who agree with me on its decency. Or are at least brave enough to try something new, and for that, I commend them. To taking risks and eating ranch in all of its forms in 2022.
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