In my humble opinion....have a glass or six. It's the holidays. I won't get through Thanksgiving without a piece of my mom's pumpkin pie. I'm not going to worry about it.

you are all crazy.

the only thing you need to do is get some puerto rican friends to make you some COQUITO, which is the bestest best holiday drink ever.

yes, it's sometimes called "coconut eggnog," but it is in another league from eggnog. another universe. it's in a galaxy of deliciousness far, far away. eggnog dreams of being coquito when it grows up.

I haven't tried this yet, but here's a coconut eggnog recipe that substitutes coconut milk for the dairy and has less sugar than traditional eggnog. You could also swap out the sugar with your favorite sweetener.

From The American Woman's Cookbook:

Eggnog, Southern:

4 eggs, separated [Beat whites until stiff.]

1/2 cup whipping cream [Whip until stiff.]

4 Tablespoons brandy or whisky [or rum].

3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

Beat the yolks till thick and lemon colored.

Slowly beat in the brandy and sugar.

Fold in the stiffly beaten whites and the whipped cream.

This must be eaten with a spoon.

By not whipping the egg whites or the cream, the mixture would be a thick liquid and is probably the eggnog I remember from the 1950s and early 1960s.

Here is a link to that recipe in the cookbook, page 757:

http://www.archive.org/stream/americwomanscook00delirich#page/756/mode/2up

There is another recipe for eggnog on the page which calls for beaten egg whites and milk, just below the one for Southern eggnog,

and also one for children on page 648.

When I was young, the children got eggnog made with cream, milk, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla.

ETA: One could substitute a "tea" made from stevia leaves for the sugar, or simply leave it out.

Hope these are of use to you.

Seems like, unless you have a problem with dairy, eggnog is not a huge problem as once-a-year cheats go. You could obviously make it with less sugar, or put some real maple syrup (that would probably be tasty), but even with regular sugar you'd probably be fine- as long as you're just doing it for the holidays.

Unless you're particularly sensitive to dairy, I wouldn't worry about it! Enjoy the holidays! Sometimes, though make it few and far between, you have to treat yourself. The truth is that as much as we would like to be cavemen and cavewomen, we live in a world where delicious things like pies, eggnog, fried chicken, and pizza exist. So why not treat yourself just a tad? Measure out the pros and cons of a single cheat and enjoy yourself.

Also, coquito, IS delicious. It's the only reason I keep my puerto rican friends around (not really, but it's certainly up there haha)

I have a paleo eggnog recipe that is really nice. My kids love it as well, which is a big plus for me who's always trying to get extra protein into them. Give it a try and let me know what you think. http://angiessuburbanoasis.blogspot.com/2011/12/paleoprimal-eggnog.html

I couldn't stand commercial egg nog but now I love this homemade version:

2 cups cow, goat (preferably pastured or raw), or coconut milk 3 fresh egg yolks 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 Teaspoon Orange Blossom Water or Orange Oil Sprinkle of Cinnamon 1 Tablespoon Sugar 1/4 cup coconut kefir/water kefir or 1 opened capsule of powdered probiotic Makes 2 servings.

Mix in blender about a min.

Try an ounce or two of heavy cream sprinkled with nutmeg. Very satisfying, and if you're used to the natural sweetness of dairy, not far off from the real thing at all!

If that's too much, you can also add a splash of whole milk or half & half to the cream before the nutmeg sprinkling.

The way to get your fix is to make it yourself. Check out this recipe for primal nog...

http://www.eco-proper.com/2010/10/primal-eggnog.html

If you are ok with dairy, Strauss has a decent one that I saw at Whole Foods, but I think they use homogenized whole milk for this (not their "Cream Top"), which is a bummer.

scroll to the bottom of the page: http://www.strausfamilycreamery.com/?title=cream-top%20milk

If you make a cooked eggnog you will get more texture, whatever liquid you mix the eggs with. I use a mixture of cream and water, but coconut milk or other milk substitutes would also work. More fat = better creaminess. I made a batch last week using a little honey and stevia extract and my friends practically fought over the last of the batch.

And I agree - it's all about the vanilla and nutmeg anyway.

I have seen at my local grocer coconut milk eggnog. I'm sure not as great as the real deal, but it's an option... along w/the soy eggnog, the almond milk eggnog... etc.
I'd stick w/one of the real recipes others have listed above... It's the holidays, relax, enjoy. :)

Vanilla protein powder shaken with hwc, rum, a sprinkle of nutmeg and crushed ice solves my jones for eggnog.