Click photo to enlarge

• 4 cups milk

• 5 whole cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 12 egg yolks

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 1/2 cups light rum

• 4 cups light cream

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.


3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

The origins and even the ingredients used to make the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog, or a very similar drink, may have originated in East Anglia, England, though it may also have been developed from posset (a medieval European beverage made with hot milk). The "nog" part of its name may stem from the word "noggin," a Middle English term used to describe a small, wooden, carved mug used to serve alcohol. Another name for this British drink was Egg Flip. Yet another story is that the term derived from the name "egg-and-grog," a common Colonial term used to describe rum.


Eventually the term was shortened to "egg'n'grog", then "eggnog.