The Best Boozy Eggnog

If Eggnog is not the official drink of Christmas, it should be! It’s a staple this time of year and I can’t imagine at least one glass of it before the holiday season is through. This year, I have had more than my fair share of glasses (all in the name of recipe testing, of course) so I am set, but I want to make sure you all get to try some delicious boozy, and dare I say it, the best eggnog you have ever had this year!

Yup, I said it! This stuff is amazing and will change your life! I mean it won’t be Eat, Pray, Love kind of life changing, but more like drink, drink, drink kind of life changing- each sip is better than the last.

This is a traditional nog, no cartons of eggnog were harmed in the making (ick). Rum and bourbon based eggnogs date back to Colonial days, (they knew what they were doing when it came to booze, they created apple brandy and bourbon after all) and was prepare with cream, sugar, eggs and sometimes spices. It would allow fresh eggs from the summer and fall to last until winter. It was a drink for the more affluent of the time who had access to the fresh ingredients for the nog. Oh you fancy, huh?!I added enough booze to this nog to knock Santa on his sack! Rum? Check. Bourbon? Check. Brandy? Check! All the staples for a delicious boozy nog. I even poured in some rye for good measure. George Washington was said to add rye to his recipe, so if it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for me!You can enjoy this recipe now OR you can age this for next Christmas! Yes, this is one thing you can make waaaay ahead to help save on holiday prep next year. If drinking raw eggs and milk that have been sitting around for a year in the fridge does not seem appealing, trust me, it’s perfectly ok. Science says so. After a bit of aging, this stuff becomes pure liquid gold!

As long as the eggnog is made with 20% alcohol, it will keep it from spoiling and will even become better with time. Some magic happens when the cream, eggs, sugar, and booze are left alone together for a year. Their flavors meld and the booze mellows out and it turns into one heck of a delectable Yuletide greeting once the holidays roll around again!If your are making a batch of this for tomorrow and cookies and milk are more your speed than an Old Fashioned, you can decrease the booze a bit (lowering the rum and bourbon by a couple ounces should do it.) If you whip up a batch today and set it in the fridge over night, it will make for a lovely tipple to sip on while opening presents and rocking around the Christmas tree  tomorrow. Merry Christmas and happy imbibing!The Best Boozy Eggnog

Serves about 15- 6oz servings

• 8 egg yolks and 8 egg whites, separated
• 4 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cup cream
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons fresh nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 7 oz bourbon (I used Russell’s Reserve 10yr)
• 7 oz rum (I used Appleton Estate Reserve)
• 2 oz brandy
• 2 oz rye

Directions

Separate 8 eggs. *Place egg whites in a freezer safe container in the freezer until a few hours before you are ready to serve the aged nog. Add egg yolks to a standing mixer or bowl and beat/whisk on low. Once they are nice and frothy, add the sugar and cream the two together on medium or mix rapidly. Add in the spices and mix well. Turn the mixer to low and mix or whisk in the milk and cream next, adding slowly to not splatter. Combine the liquor and mix. Place in a sterilized container that seals. Set this is in the fridge for at least one week and up to 1 year. When ready to serve, defrost egg whites or use 8 fresh egg whites if you prefer. Add to a mixer and mix until soft peaks form. Fold into the egg nog mixture. Serve in a punch glass, rocks glass or coup. Sprinkle with fresh grated nutmeg.

*If you are serving fresh and un-aged, whip egg whites immediately and fold in. Sprinkle with fresh grated nutmeg.