Recipe: Traditional Eggnog

My friend and fellow author John B. Meilink mentioned that he's never had eggnog.  To help him along his way, I'm publishing my dear old mother's secret recipe for delicious, homemade eggnog - which is the complete opposite of the chemically altered contagion anyone can buy in the store.

On Bourbon Whiskey

A casual reader (one Glen Filthie of Filthie's Thunderbox) asked for my opinion on bourbon whiskey, which I am always glad to give.  Those of you who are teetotalers or who are on the wagon may skip the rest of this post.  The rest of you can sit back and relax whilst I pontificate on the wonders of bourbon whiskey.

The Bar

While I was visiting my brother Bob in Memphis, he opened his bar for my enjoyment.  Here's a bar that even the Southern Baptist Convention couldn't object to - when it's closed, anyway.

Bar is Closed

I thought it was some sort of armoire or hutch, but I was mistaken.  As you can see, there isn't an obvious latch for the front, and the tiny knobs on each side go unnoticed.

From the Front

It being fashionably after five, Bob opened the bar for business.  Voilà!

Open for Business

The entire front rotates, and the sides swing out.  Although it doesn't have a lock on it, it will otherwise keep temptation and controversy away from any holier-than-thou, tee-totaling guests who might otherwise accept a dry martini in return for holding their drier criticisms - or vice verse.

My Tipple of Choice

Every now and then you'll find yourself at the end of a tumultuous day, and your good old end-of-the-day drink isn't going to cut it.  That's when I change up to the French 75.

French 75 Ingredients

The French 75
1½ oz Gin
½ oz St. Germain
½ oz Lemon Juice
¼ oz Simple Syrup
Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Chill the wine glass. Measure the gin, St. Germain, lemon juice and syrup into the cocktail shaker, and shake it with ice. Pour the mixture into the chilled wine glass and top if off with dry champagne or sparkling wine. Delicious! So named because the French claimed that drinking it would hit you like the recoil of a French 75 (Canon de 75 modèle 1897 (French 75mm Field Gun).

Some recipes specify champagne, but real champagne is out of my price range.  Use dry sparkling wine, and if you notice a difference you're more of a connoisseur than I am and I wish you'd invite me over for your next cocktail party.  Other recipes omit the St. Germain.  I've had it with and without, and I prefer it with.  That's just my own personal preference; it's still very good without.

One French 75 will make you want another.  When you have trouble assembling the ingredients correctly, discard any ideas about driving or playing with your gun collection.  Enjoy!