Some 'Nog for the Grown-Ups

A good friend called last week and wanted to make egg nog.  She'd had it the night before and was super excited for us to make it ourselves.  The recipe she wanted to make called for melted vanilla bean ice cream, egg beaters, and spices.  Now, I'm sure it was delicious egg nog, but that just was not a "recipe!"  She very hesitantly gave up on making "the best egg nog" she'd ever had and agreed to let me try a purely homemade recipe.

With the fireplace lit and Christmas presents and wrapping paper strewn across the living room, it was the perfect night for some grown-up egg nog!

Ingredients

• 2 cups organic whole milk
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 organic egg yolks
• 3/4 cups organic raw sugar
• 1 cup bourbon
• 2 cups organic half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

Directions
1.  Combine milk, cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan.

2.  Heat over low for 5 minutes. Slowly raise heat and bring milk mixture to a boil.

3.  In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar.  Whisk together until fluffy.

4.  Slowly whisk the hot milk mixture into the eggs.  Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

5.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired thickness. Do not allow mixture to boil.

6.  Strain to remove cloves.

7.  Stir in half & half and nutmeg.  If giving some to the kids, separate theirs out first and then add the bourbon.

8.  Top with homemade whipped cream, corn-syrup-free marshmallows & cinnamon for an extra treat!
We drank it warm, but you can also let it sit overnight in the fridge.  YUM!