The method
How to make it
Start with good cold eggnog, homemade if it is in you, the carton from the dairy case if it is December 23rd.
Stir the eggnog, bourbon, vanilla and a tiny pinch of sea salt in a mixing glass with a few cubes of ice. Stir, never shake, nog is already thick and shaking makes it foam like a milkshake.
Strain into a short glass or a mug, no ice in the glass.
Grate fresh cinnamon over the top until it looks like it snowed.
Stand a cinnamon stick in it for stirring and swagger.
The serve
How to present it
Short glass, snowdrift of cinnamon, stick standing at attention. Serve it by the fire or near a fire-adjacent television. This drink is dessert, plan the evening accordingly.
Make it yours
Swaps & variations
Dark rum instead of bourbon is the sailor's nog, and half rum half bourbon is the diplomatic option. A shot of espresso next to it turns the whole thing into holiday tiramisu. Oat nog from the same dairy case works for the dairy-averse and takes bourbon just as gracefully.
Keep pouring
