Old-Fashioned Eggnog

By Michele Robert Poche

“Store-bought eggnog?”  I hear it every year when I take the shortcut approach to the holidays.  So I decided it was time for me to learn to make this decadent beverage from scratch.  Join me for a glass?

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 5 cloves
• 2½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups half & half
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Heat milk, cloves, ½ teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon on low 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in bowl until fluffy then slowly whisk in hot milk mixture.

3. Pour everything into saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thick.  Do not allow to boil. 

4. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks then let cool.

5. Add half & half, remaining vanilla and nutmeg.  Refrigerate overnight and serve.

To avoid risk of food poisoning, never serve a beverage made with raw eggs. For a more adult beverage, add 1½ cups brandy, rum or bourbon at step 5 or serve alongside a bottle of your preferred spirit. Add as desired.