I’ve neglected my holiday egg nog duties this year. But I’m sliding in just in the St. Nick of time for Christmas with this delicious variation. UHMUHGUH I LOVE EGG NOG SO MUCH.

If you’ve never made boozy aged egg nog before, it is SO simple, and can sit in the fridge for a very long time (the trick is to put enough booze in it that it preserves the raw eggs and dairy). The longer it sits, the richer and more delicious it becomes. It is just so fantastic to batch way in advance for a party. Or to nurse from through the entire holiday season.

As always, be extremely cautious using raw eggs. Use only the freshest eggs and, well, common sense.

Boozy Brown Sugar Spiced Nog

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients:

• 6 fresh whole eggs

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup golden rum

• 1/2 cup spiced rum

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1 cinnamon stick + one star anise seed + a dusting of cinnamon per serving as garnish

Start by separating your eggs: yolks in a medium mixing bowl, whites in another. Cover and refrigerate the whites. Whisk together the yolks and the brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Whisk in milk, cream, and rum, until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate mixture 1 to 24 hours (with enough alcohol in it, eggnog can be left in an airtight container to age for several weeks, which will create a thicker, richer beverage. If you are skipping the alcohol, homemade nog must be used within 24 hours).

Before serving, whisk egg whites (if you've aged your nog, you'll need fresh egg whites) until they form stiff peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the nog mixture (if you’re serving it in a punch bowl, fold the egg whites into that, if you’re serving individual glasses, fold a heaping spoonful into the top of each. Serve immediately, dusting the foam on each individual glass of nog with grated cinnamon, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an anise seed if you’ve got ‘em.

I love rum for this particular variation. But, really, you can sub in whatever booze floats your boat—brandy is another favorite of mine, and bourbon would be so great, too. Maybe a little dash of Fireball? Whatever the heckies floats your boozy goat.

Happiest holidays, my friends!

Product & Tool Sources:

I love this rum in addition to this spiced rum for my nog.

Similar vintage coupes can be found here.

I use this Kitchenaid Hand Mixer to froth those egg whites.

I age my nog in these containers.

Festive peel and stick wallpaper is from Hygge & West.