Time to Party Holiday-Style: Eggnog Cocktail and Mocktail Recipe

With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to start putting up the Christmas decorations. And, really, who does that without a nice warm glass of eggnog in-hand? It adds another element of fun to your holiday preparations. Plus, if you practice making your eggnog before your holiday get-togethers, you’ll be a pro by the time the big event rolls around.

Eggnog isn’t one of the easiest drinks you can make, but nothing else is quite as synonymous with the holidays. Although mastering a good eggnog isn’t easy, virginizing it is. All you have to do is omit the alcohol and you’ll have a tasty, kid-friendly version.

Just one note of caution: The eggs in eggnog are only lightly cooked. Eating raw eggs can possibly lead to salmonella poisoning, so take steps to avoid it by using only fresh, refrigerated eggs for your eggnog. Also, don't cook them for less time than the recipe states. You want guests to remember your party, but not because they all got sick for a week after.

Eggnog Cocktail and Mocktail Recipe

4 cups milk
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks
1 ½ cups sugar
2 ½ cups light rum
4 cups heavy cream
½ tsp ground nutmeg

In a medium saucepan, whisk milk, sugar, cloves and cinnamon until the sugar is completely dissolved. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Pour the hot milk mixture onto the yolks, while whisking constantly, in a slow and steady stream.

Return the eggnog mixture to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often for about 20 to 25 minutes. Just don’t let it simmer or the eggs may start to clump. When it’s done, the mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Strain the mixture into a bowl and stir in the heavy cream and alcohol (if you’re making the cocktail version). You can serve your eggnog warm or cool, depending on what you’re accustomed to. If you’d like it chilled, you cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for about 2 hours before serving.

Garnish with nutmeg prior to serving.

Oh yeah, one more word of caution: If you’re drinking the alcoholic version, don’t be afraid to switch to the non-alcoholic version after one or two. You don’t want to get too drunk, especially if you’re not among close family and friends. Remember how drunk the company tax accountant got at last year’s holiday party? You never want to be that guy.

The recipe above is one of the best eggnog recipes I've found, but there are many others. You may have to try a few or tweak one a bit to find one that suits your taste buds. For yet another eggnog recipe, watch the video below: