Homemade Eggnog

Hear those sleigh bells ringing? It's the holiday season. And that's our cue to start prepping for the long lineup of festivities that are hitting our social calendars this season. It is also our favorite time to break out the overstuffed recipe box and focus on making new dishes and drinks that we've been saving for this special time of year, like this rich and creamy homemade eggnog.When December rolls around, every good Southern host is always prepared for unexpected guests with a few essentials on-hand: at least one dozen sugar cookies, Million Dollar Pound Cake, and a batch of eggnog chilling in the fridge. Eggnog is the signature drink of the holiday season, and a recipe that every home cook should try and whip up from scratch at least once. And while the grocery store markets are stocked with every flavor imaginable (pumpkin, sugar cookie, vanilla, caramel) and different varieties (dairy-free, organic, low-fat), the Southern Living Test Kitchen recommends making a batch of Clark Griswold's favorite celebratory drink from scratch.Our classic version, which serves nine, includes four cups of whole milk, a dozen eggs, and two cups of heavy whipping cream. We like to spice it with nutmeg and vanilla extract to call it our own. And while our recipe calls for bourbon, it's fine to omit the alcohol to turn this into a ready-to-serve-everyone drink for the holiday season.