It is Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas Treats hosted by Juliet of A Loverly Life and ME! Are you ready for some eggnog?

A Brief History of Eggnog

Eggnog screams Christmas like cookies for Santa! Eggnog is known as an American term introduced in 1775 in Maryland. But the origins date back hundreds of years and most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval British drink called posset. According to Wikipedia, records show that the first US president, George Washington, “served an eggnog-like drink to visitors” which included “rye whiskey, rum, and sherry.” President’s recipe called for a variety of alcoholic beverages along with the dairy and egg ingredients: “One quart cream, one quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one pint brandy, 1/2 pint rye whiskey, 1/2 pint Jamaica rum, [and] 1/4 pint sherry.” The recipe instructs cooks to “mix [the] liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.”

My Recipe – sort of

My recipe is super simple. I jotted it down years ago from a tv show and have been making it ever since.

Turns out my recipe is Paula Deen’s Mama’s Eggnog. Apparently, I was watching Paula when I wrote down the recipe. Of course it was Paula!

Mama's Eggnog

Paula Deen's Mama's Eggnog Recipe

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30

Ingredients

6 eggs separated
3/4 cup sugar
1 pint heavy cream
4 pints milk
1/2 pint bourbon
1 tbsp vanilla
nutmeg sprinkle

Instructions

In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with 1/2 cup of sugar until thick.
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with 1/4 cup of sugar until thick.
In a third bowl, beat the cream until thick.
Add the cream to the yolks.
Fold in the egg whites.
Add the milk, bourbon, vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg, if desired.
Mix gently and chill in freezer before serving.

Keyword christmas drinks, eggnog

The recipe is super easy. You make three small batches and then combine them.

Whip the egg yolks with sugar, the whites with sugar, and whip the heavy cream.

Then add the milk. Set in the freezer to chill. Super simple.

You can add bourbon or whiskey or simply drink it plain. It is delicious either way.

Remember to sprinkle some nutmeg or cinnamon on top for some extra flavor.

Some folks like their eggnog warm. But I’m a fan of thick and frothy. Sometimes I even allow the eggnog to freeze and I eat it with a spoon. Have some fun trying it different ways.