Sunday, January 11, 2015

Vegan eggnog latte from scratch

vegan eggnog latte

Hey, ho! Guess what day it is? Guess what day it is.

It’s my birthday! I, the eternally dignified June Burns, was pushed out of my mother’s vagina many years ago on this date, and as a consequence I am forced to feel like an old fogy this time each year. A week after this Very Important Milestone in my life, we will also be celebrating the birthday of this verbal shitpile I call a blog. I know, right? Time flies.

In honor of the occasion, I’ve put together a quick survey for you guys. I’ll be collecting responses between now and January 17th, the day of my blogoversary, when I’ll tear off the veil of secrecy and reveal to the world just what everyone thinks of me.

It will probably be anticlimactic. But anyway. Give me your best shot; I can take it.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SURVEY.

I feel like since it is my birthday I ought to have a fancy cake prepared for you all today—but alas, this post will just be the tale of a simple (but very delicious) eggnog latte. True, I have made some cakes recently (between my dad’s birthday and various Christmas celebrations, I’ve made more than a couple), but I am saving these recipes for the right time. And that time is not now.

I can tell you are all very sad.

But do not fret, for this latte will make everything better. It is the culmination of my obsession with lattes and my deep sadness that Starbucks’ eggnog latte is, rather unsurprisingly, not vegan. It was a cold, snow-covered winter day that I set out to make this beverage, filled with homemade eggnog and strong coffee (since I’m a pleb and thus do not have an espresso machine at home) all frothed together in the blender and sprinkled with cinnamon. The result is a rather non-authentic drink, but one that is delicious enough that I don’t care.

Call it cream-of-coffee soup.

I forget where I learned the basic principle of making homemade lattes this way, but it works—for the most part. You heat up a serving’s worth of high-fat milk, stick it in the blender, blend on high speed until it gets all frothy and fluffy, and pour over a bit of very strong coffee. Thus, latte! Even better, it’s cheap.

Though I will admit the mystique of forking over four dollars for a sixteen-ounce beverage is a bit lost on this recipe.

Here’s the recipe.

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Vegan eggnog latte from scratch

Adapted from The Post Punk Kitchen

Ingredients

100 grams • ripe avocado • ½ medium

160 grams • full-fat coconut milk • ½ cup

366 grams • nondairy milk • 1 ½ cups

80 grams • agave nectar • ¼ cup

15 grams • fresh lemon juice • 1 tablespoon

2 grams • vanilla extract • ½ teaspoon

1 gram • nutmeg • ½ teaspoon

0.5 grams • cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon

Pinch cloves

Strongly brewed coffee, hot (or espresso, if you fancy)

Instructions

Make sure avocado and coconut milk are thoroughly chilled before placing in a blender and blending until smooth. Add nondairy milk and remaining ingredients (except coffee) and blend once more.

Add about one latte’s worth of eggnog (½ cup or so) to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until bubbling. Add back to the blender and blend until frothy. Pour on top of about a ¼ to a ½ cup of strong coffee; sprinkle cinnamon on top. Drink. Repeat.

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It's delicious, but also kind of emo.

That bottle you see above was originally a vessel for some locally-produced, egg- and cream-filled eggnog; but I’d say we’ve upcycled it with some delicious homemade and very much vegan eggnog. It brings a tear of happiness to my eye just looking at it. Even if my (lack of) photography skills don’t do it any justice.

On a related note—some other hot, delicious drinks to enjoy this winter.

Creamy pumpkin pie white hot chocolate. For those occasions when eating pumpkin pie is just too much work.

Homemade gingerbread eggnog. Based off the same recipe I used here, I’d say this is one of my favorite vegan eggnog recipes to date.

Red velvet white hot chocolate. Artificial food coloring? No shame.

20 comments:

  1. I was de-veganized for knowingly ingesting gelatto. It left me with nothing more than an off-again, on-again fascination with the idea of vegan breakfast. I feel I should leave the survey to those whose vegan superpowers are still intact. I just come here for the writing, which I very much like.

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  2. Happy birthday!!! And in my opinion, lattes are a perfect way to celebrate. This sounds awesome!

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  3. Gratulerer med dagen June! This is all so exciting! I hope you left the baking to someone else today, and that they did a killer job out of it :D
    This eggnog sounds amazing! And I am surprised to see that it has avocado in it :P Vegan eggnog - one of your five a day! Don't mind if I do :) I have yet to try eggnog... The latte sounds delicious ^ ^

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    1. Haha I guess the eggnog does have a vegetable! So basically a salad? :D I didn't have anyone else make a cake, actually--my dad's birthday is the day before, so I made a cake for him and we're still working on that. I ordered freeze dried raspberries by mail to make my own cake but they haven't arrived yet, so I'll be making my own birthday cake soon enough :)

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  4. Happy Birthday, June. And congratulations for up-coming anniversary of your blog.
    I wish you the best 2015 ever!!!!

    I must say I love your way of celebrating, with your Vegan eggnog latte, of course :)

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  5. Happy birthday June! And advance congratulations on your blog anniversary. I'll pop over and do your survey in a minute.

    This drink sounds fantastic - definitely birthday worthy.

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  6. What a great vegan eggnog recipe, June! Happy belated birthday!!!!

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  7. Happy slightly belated birthday, June! I hope you had a great day!

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  8. This looks yummy, and I love your fun, quirky writing style!


    Anyhoo, I found your blog through a fellow blogger, and just thought I would stop by and say hi! It would totally make my day if you did the same... or better yet, keep in touch!! <3 - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Thanks so much! Writing is one of my favorite parts of blogging, so it helps to know you all appreciate it :)

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  9. Wow. I have never had eggnog before and this sounds great!

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    1. Thanks! You should totally try eggnog, so delicious :)

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  10. This looks amazing! Never thought about using avocado in my drinks and by the looks of it, it totally works! Thanks for sharing your recipe in the Sunday Recipe Wrap Up Linky!

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