Eggnog is a traditional holiday drink made with eggs, sugar, milk, cream, and a touch of nutmeg. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade eggnog:

Ingredients:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (plus extra for garnish)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup rum, bourbon, or brandy (or a combination)

Instructions:

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined and slightly thickened.
  2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, heavy cream, and ground nutmeg. Heat the mixture until it just begins to simmer, stirring occasionally.
  3. Slowly pour about half of the hot milk mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks and sugar, whisking constantly to avoid curdling the eggs.
  4. Once the egg yolk mixture is tempered, return it to the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture. Whisk continuously over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly (do not let it boil).
  5. Remove the eggnog from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. If you choose to add alcohol, stir it into the eggnog at this point.
  7. Allow the eggnog to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Before serving, give the eggnog a good stir. Pour it into glasses, and if desired, garnish with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg on top.

Enjoy your homemade eggnog responsibly! Keep in mind that the raw eggs in traditional eggnog may pose a risk of foodborne illness, so if you have concerns, consider using pasteurized eggs or an alternative method to cook the eggs (like tempering them as described in the recipe).