Christmas Eggnog

Eggnog has been a popular drink during the holiday season for centuries. Its thick, creamy flavor is a big part of many celebrations and just seems to go well with the thankful spirit of Thanksgiving or the festive notes of Deck the Halls and the sharp fragrance of a Christmas tree. Even early pioneer farm families had plenty of eggs and cream for this special drink. According to kitchenproject.com, our first president George Washington loved eggnog and devised his own recipe including rye, whiskey, rum and sherry.

The following recipe is easy, tasty, and can be varied for individual tastes.

Christmas Eggnog

10 eggs, separated

1 and ¼ cups sugar

5 cups of milk

3 cups heavy cream

2 tsp nutmeg

Beat egg yolks and sugar together. Allow to chill and then stir in milk, cream and nutmeg. Beat egg whites in another bowl until stiff. Fold into the yolk, milk and cream mixture and garnish with more nutmeg.

When the cold winds blow and snow falls and family gathers ‘round the fireplace to exchange gifts in the spirit of Christmas, when the soft strains of I’ll Be Home for Christmas warm the heart, a rich, creamy eggnog is a welcome drink.

Note : Those who drink eggnog made from raw eggs should be aware that, according to eggsafety.org, an estimated one egg in 20,000 may contain Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. According to the Center for Disease Control, the elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.