Holiday Traditions - Egg Nog!
It all started a few years ago when I stumbled across Alton Brown's aged eggnog recipe. The concept seemed wild—who ages eggnog? But the science behind it is actually fascinating. The alcohol acts as a preservative while the flavors mellow and marry over time, creating something far more sophisticated than the cloyingly sweet stuff you find in grocery stores.
Now, every fall after Thanksgiving, I mix up a batch. The hardest part isn't the mixing—it's the waiting. That bottle sits in my fridge, taunting me, whispering "just one little taste won't hurt" for weeks and weeks. But I resist. The anticipation is part of the magic.
Come Christmas Eve, that's when we crack it open. It's become a ritual: the same glasses, the same toast, the same moment of "okay, this was absolutely worth the wait." There's something about sipping something you made months ago that makes it taste even better. It's like a gift from your past self to your present self, wrapped in nutmeg and bourbon.
While I can't sell my eggnog (the liquor licensing alone would be a nightmare), I can tell you it pairs beautifully with so many delicious desserts in the shop. From the butterscotch toffee, to the apple thumbprints, and especially with the pecan pie bars? Absolutely divine. Just sitting by the fire scrolling through your phone? Enhances the experience by at least 40%.
The beauty of establishing traditions like this is that they don't have to be complicated or expensive. They just have to be yours. Whether you're aging eggnog, rewatching the same holiday movie every year, or insisting on breakfast for dinner on December 23rd for no particular reason, it's these small rituals that make the season feel like home.
So here's to traditions—the old ones we inherited, the new ones we create, and the slightly ridiculous ones that make the best stories. And if you're looking for a new tradition to try, I highly recommend giving aged eggnog a shot. Just remember: the hardest part is the waiting.
But trust me, it's worth it.
