Make Your Own Eggnog

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg, plus garnish
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream, softly whipped liquor (such as brand, bourbon, whiskey, and rum) or liqueurs.

1. In a heavy saucepan, whisk together eggs and sugar until well blended; whisk in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture thickens and reaches 140 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.

2. Strain into a bowl; stir in nutmeg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

3. When ready to serve, fold in whipped cream. Serve in a punch bowl, sprinkled with nutmeg, and with alcohol on the side; each 1/2 cup serving of eggnog gets about 1/2 ounce alcohol, as desired.

Makes 8 servings.