The basics of eggnog make it hard to screw up. Eggs, cream, spices, sugar, booze = what's not to love?
Even some of the bottled eggnogs are pleasant enough; however, real eggnog is miles above. Yes, you can ennoble your supermarket nog with some Ben and Jerry's and Rum, but lipstick on a pig only makes the pig pretty if you've had enough rum.
If we bring our nog up to the level of real ingredients and no chemicals, there are all sorts of "Quick eggnogs," from a Baltimore Eggnog with Madeira to a General Harrison's Eggnog with cider.
None, in my opinion, rise to the level of the old fashioned cooked eggnog of my Grandmother. This, I imagine, would have been the eggnog they drank in It's A Wonderful Life. It's remarkably light and silky, yet rich and decadent.
It takes a few minutes, but at this time, maybe it's good to take a few minutes and make something like this from days gone by.
Here's my grandmother's recipe. It's worth the trouble. Stop by the shop when it's open and I'll serve you a glass.