George Washington had a recipe for eggnog that's guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit PDQ. I have tried this eggnog several times (and the other drinks as well) at various pre-Christmas receptions. The recipe was found among Washington's papers at Mount Vernon and in keeping with the custom of the times, was simply a list of

ingredients.  

 

One Pint of Brandy
Half pint of Rye Whiskey
Half pint of Jamaican Rum
One quarter pint Sherry
Eggs (George didn't specify how many, but food historians think about a dozen)
Twelve tablespoons sugar
One quart of Milk
One quart of cream

 

This is a luxury version of eggnog which only the rich could afford in colonial times.  The abundance of eggs and milk/cream at cheap prices as well as cheap rum and domestic whisky in the New World made eggnog a popular Christmas drink, but minus expensive spices and other expensive ingredients like sherry and brandy, which had to be imported.

 

Here's a modern recreation of his recipe:

George Washington's Eggnog

* 2 cups brandy
* 1 cup rye whiskey
* 1 cup dark Jamaica rum
* 1/2 cup cream sherry
* 10 large eggs
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 quart milk
* 1 quart heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
* 1 cinnamon stick

Mix liquors first in a separate container. Separate yolks and whites into two large mixing bowls. Blanchir egg yolks (beat adding in sugar until the mixture turns a light yellow). Add liquor slowly to egg yolk mixture, continuing to beat (mixture will turn brown) until well incorporated. Add milk and cream simultaneously, slowly beating the mixture. Set aside.

Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into the alcohol mixture. Add nutmeg and cinnamon stick, and stir well to incorporate. Cover mixture in an airtight container.

Allow eggnog to cure undisturbed for several days (4-7) in the coldest art of the refrigerator (below 40 degrees). The mixture will separate as it cures. This is OK. Just be sure to re-incorporate mixture before serving cold.

 

The estimated ABV (alcohol by volume) of this eggnog  in a normal-sized serving cup is 20%, so be very careful if you are driving.  Two cups would put many people over the DUI limit in the U.S.

 

If that recipe sounds a bit complicated, here's a simpler one:

Traditional Eggnog
1 quart milk
1 cup superfine or confectioners' sugar
1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeds scraped out
12 large eggs*, separated
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups bourbon
1 cup brandy
Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Chocolate shavings, for garnish

In a large saucepan, combine the milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and vanilla bean and seeds and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat.
In a medium bowl, beat the yolks until pale yellow and thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour in 1 cup of the hot milk, whisking constantly. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan with the hot milk, whisking. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heavy wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks start to form. Slowly add 1/4 cup of the sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
In a large bowl with clean beaters, beat the cream until thick and frothy. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat to soft peaks.
In a large punch bowl, combine the chilled egg yolk mixture and the bourbon and brandy. Fold in the sweetened whipped cream, then the egg whites. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
To serve, sprinkle nutmeg over the top and garnish with chocolate shavings. Serve chilled.

 

If you're not a fan of eggnog, here are some alternative Christmas and winter cocktails:

Gingerbread Stiffy
1 shot vanilla vodka
1 shot hazelnut-flavored liqueur (recommended: Frangelico)
1/2 shot butterscotch schnapps
4 ounces ginger beer
Float dark rum
Ice cubes
Gingerbread man cookie for garnish

Pour first 4 ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into high ball glass or any 8-ounce glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer. Pour a little dark rum over the back of a spoon and float on top of the ginger beer. Garnish with a gingerbread man cookie.

 

Candy Cane Cocktail
1 shot vanilla rum
1 shot white chocolate liqueur (recommended: Godiva)
1 shot peppermint schnapps
Candy cane, garnish
Pour first 3 ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into high ball glass or any 8-ounce glass filled with ice. Garnish with a candy cane.

 

Blue Xmas
1 shot vodka
1 shot blue fruit- and cognac- liqueur (recommended: Envy)
1/2 shot orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau)
Shredded dried coconut, garnish

Moisten the rim of a martini glass and dip into the shredded coconut. Pour first 3 ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into glass filled with ice. Sprinkle coconut on top of drink.

 

This one isn't Christmassy, but a damn nice drink. It can be difficult to find Hangar One , but you can make the equivalent by steeping kaffir lime leaves in any vodka for a few weeks.

Thai Martini
2 oz Hangar One Kaffir Lime vodka
Fresh cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Splash simple syrup
Cayenne rim on glass

Combine the ingredients, including cilantro, in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour into cocktail glass, garnish with more cilantro.

Enjoy!

Buy a carton of eggnog and a bottle or rum. Done

On 12/31/2025 at 6:07 PM, Yagoda said:

Buy a carton of eggnog and a bottle or rum. Done

A whole lot of delusion all round. ;)

On 12/31/2025 at 6:07 AM, Yagoda said:

Buy a carton of eggnog and a bottle or rum. Done

That will certainly get you drunk, but the homemade stuff tastes a lot better.

On 1/6/2026 at 9:18 AM, Evil Penevil said:

That will certainly get you drunk, but the homemade stuff tastes a lot better.

You dont taste it after the first one.

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

You dont taste it after the first one.

For me, eggnog is too rich to drink more than one or two.

8 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

For me, eggnog is too rich to drink more than one or two.

Not if you pour chilled rum in a glass and add a teaspoon of eggnog. Got to watch your weight during the holidays