Christmas Eggnog is a cream or milk based drink made with egg yolks, sugar and spices.http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggnog.htm This page on how to make Christmas eggnog will teach you how to make a basic Christmas eggnog, as well as provide a few tips to help you create variants.

The word eggnog literally means “egg in cup” and is derived from the word “noggin,” a small wooden cup usually used for strong alehttp://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggnog.htm. While Christmas eggnog is not always alcoholic, rum is commonly added to eggnog recipes. Just why eggnog is so popular during the winter holiday season is a bit of a mystery, because no one seems to know for sure. However, it may be due to eggnog’s historic tradition of being used to toast good health. Since winter is commonly the cold and flu season, it would make sense that a drink used to bring good health would become popular during this time.

This theory as to why we drink eggnog at Christmas is also supported by the fact that eggnog evolved from a British drink called Possethttp://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggnog.htm. Posset was traditionally a winter time beverage that was thought to cure a coldhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/posset. For good health or not, eggnog is a very popular holiday drink.

To make Christmas eggnog you will need the following items:

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs, separated into yolks and whites
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups milk
• Nutmeg, sufficient for garnishing
• Optional Vanilla and/or Cinnamon for flavor

Tools:

• Mixer
• Glass Bowls

For the Cooked Egg Version of Christmas Eggnog:

• Saucepan
• Stove top
• Whisk

This recipe yields about one and one half quarts of Christmas eggnog.

It should be noted that the American Egg Board cautions against drinking Christmas eggnog made with raw eggs, especially for those who are pregnant, have compromised immune systems, or are very young. It poses a risk for bacterial growth such as Salmonellahttp://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Practice_safe_eggnog.html. As an alternative, this How To page includes the cooked egg variant, however you can also use pasteurized eggs or an egg substitute. Egg substitutes can also be used to lower the fat content in this recipe.http://www.egg-nog.info/Fat_Free_Egg_Nog_Drink_Recipe.html

For Alcoholic Variation of Christmas Eggnog:

• brandy, whiskey and/or bourbon

• 1. Beat the six egg yolks with 1/2 cup of sugar using a mixer until a pale yellow is established.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the six egg whites with the remaining sugar until it begins to firm.
  3. Mix cream and milk, and then add to egg yolk mixture.
  4. Fold into egg white mixture.
  5. Add vanilla or cinnamon to flavor, if desired. (A little goes a long way)
  6. Refrigerate for about 24 hours.
  7. Shake before serving. Sprinkle with nutmeg as garnish.http://www.almanac.com/recipe/christmas-eggnog

Note: If you choose to use egg substitute or pasteurized eggs rather than regular eggs, you can use this raw recipe and have all the safety of cooked Christmas eggnog.http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Practice_safe_eggnog.html

• 1. Whisk all eggs together (not necessary to separate in cooked version) with all sugar until fluffy, then set aside.
  2. Over low heat, in a saucepan, cook milk and if desired vanilla and/or cinnamon to taste stirring constantly. Remove just before mixture begins to boil.
  3. Slowly whisk milk mixture into egg mixture.
  4. Return to saucepan over medium heat.
  5. Stir until a custard texture is acquired (mixture will stick to back of spoon). Never allow the mixture to boil, however be sure it reaches at least 165 degrees.
  6. Pour into refrigerator-safe container.
  7. Refrigerate for about 24 hours.
  8. Mix in heavy cream.
  9. Sprinkle with nutmeg as garnish.http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/eggnog-recipe2/index.html

Note that sometimes Christmas eggnog is served hot. To serve your Christmas eggnog warm, simply skip the refrigeration step.http://www.norecipes.com/2009/11/26/warm-eggnog-recipe/

After you have refrigerated either Christmas eggnog mixture, simply add the desired amount of rum, brandy or bourbon, and mix well. How much you add depends on your own personal taste as well as whether you put in all three types of alcohol or simply one. A common amount is one half cup of each. Recipes exist for all of these options. However, making Christmas eggnog to taste is just as easy as following a recipe.

If you chose to serve your Christmas eggnog warm, add the alcohol while mixing in the heavy cream.http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Christmas-Eggnog-200907

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