This Egg and Honey Drink Could Soothe Your Sore Throat

Have you ever sipped on a glass of eggnog and thought “This will surely soothe my sore throat!” Yeah, me neither. Apparently, we should think again. Known most commonly as kogel mogel or gogl-mogl, this concoction of egg yolk, honey, and milk is apparently good for what ails you. When it comes to cold-busters and sore throat-soothers, the flavors that come to mind are ginger, orange, lemon, maybe garlic or hot pepper to clear the sinuses. These ingredients are pounded, juiced, and soaked into wellness drinks that are often sold as shots at juice shops for $5 a pop. Kogel mogel does not fit into this mold. Containing both dairy and sugar, plus an optional shot of dark booze, kogel mogel might as well be known as an elixir that goes against the Industrial Wellness Complex. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try.

While some recipes (which can hail back to 17th-century Central European Jewish communities) call for the drink to be made with raw egg yolks, I prefer not to tempt fate with salmonella if I’m already under the weather. Heat 2 cups of whole milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly. Meanwhile, separate 1 egg and save the white for another recipe. Pour the yolk into a small bowl and gently beat it with 2 teaspoons honey (or granulated sugar) and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Ladle an ounce or so of hot milk into the egg mixture and whisk well. This tempers the yolk and prevents it from scrambling in the pot. Pour the egg mixture into the pot and whisk until frothy, about 30 seconds. Take the mixture off the heat and whisk in 2 ounces brandy, dark rum, or bourbon.

For added froth, pour the mixture into a blender and blend for 20 seconds.

Pour the mixture into a glass and top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.