Drinks
Colombian Sabajón Eggnog
Sabajón is a creamy Colombian Christmas drink made with milk, gently cooked egg yolks and cinnamon. Serve it cold in small glasses. The version containing brandy or aguardiente is for adults only.
Part of the collection: Colombian Christmas recipes
- Total time
- 295 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cuisine
- Colombian
Ingredients
Method
Warm the milk
Heat the 1000 ml milk with the cinnamon to 80–85 °C for 5–8 minutes without boiling.
Whisk the yolks
Whisk the 108 g egg yolks with the 150 g sugar for 2 minutes until evenly blended.
Temper the yolks
Gradually whisk 250 ml of the hot milk into the yolks, whisking continuously.
Cook the custard
Cook the yolk mixture with the remaining milk over low heat, stirring for 8–12 minutes until it reaches 82–84 °C and lightly coats a spoon. Do not boil; the entire custard must exceed 71 °C.
Cool the base
Cool the custard in a metal bowl set in an ice-water bath for 15–20 minutes, stirring until it reaches 20 °C or below.
Add the spirit
Stir the 150 ml brandy or aguardiente into the cool base. For an alcohol-free version, replace it with 150 ml cold pasteurized milk.
Chill
Refrigerate in a clean, covered bottle for at least 4 hours at 4 °C or below. Refrigerate within 2 hours of finishing cooking.
Serve cold
Gently shake the bottle and divide the cold sabajón into 8 small servings.
The step photos are illustrative.
Notes
The alcoholic version is for adults only. For alcohol-free sabajón, replace the 150 ml spirit with 150 ml cold pasteurized milk and cook the yolks exactly as directed. Keep either version covered at 4 °C or below and use within 3 days of making it. Alcohol does not replace cooking or extend this storage time. Contains milk and egg.
Nutrition facts
1/8
- Protein
- 6.2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 25.5 g
- Fat
- 7.8 g
Per 1 of 8 servings, calculated with 150 ml 40% ABV brandy and all its alcohol. Aguardiente values depend on its strength and sugar content; replacing the spirit with milk changes the nutrition.
Reference source: USDA FoodData Central / Standard Reference; ethanol energy factor
For general information only; it does not replace advice from a qualified health or nutrition professional.
About this recipe
Sabajón is a creamy Colombian Christmas drink made with milk, gently cooked egg yolks and cinnamon. Serve it cold in small glasses. The version containing brandy or aguardiente is for adults only.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep the custard smooth?
Use low heat and stir constantly. Remove at 82–84 °C; boiling can scramble the yolks.
Can I make it without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the 150 ml spirit with 150 ml cold pasteurized milk and refrigerate for no more than 3 days.
