Old Fashioned Egg Nog

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken
• ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for serving
• 4 cups whole milk, divided
• 8 large eggs, separating yolks from whites
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of Kosher salt
• ¾ cup to 1 cup dark rum, bourbon or cognac

Combine heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and 2 cups milk in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat until tiny bubbles begin to appear around the edge of the pot (do not let it boil), 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, beat egg yolks with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.  Gradually beat in sugar and salt.  Increase speed to high and beat until thick and very pale in color, 2 to 3 minutes.

Strain spiced cream mixture, discarding solids; return liquid to pot.  Slowly beat 1 cup warm cream mixture into yolk mixture on low speed.  Return to pot with cream mixture.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until mixture coats the back of the spatula, 9 to 10 minutes.  Place the pot over a large bowl filled with ice water and let cool, stirring occasionally, until chilled, 20 to 30 minutes.  Stir in rum, bourbon or cognac and remaining 2 cups milk.  Just before serving, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes; folk into eggnog.  Serve topped with grated nutmeg.

Source:  Country Living