Total time: 20 min • Prep: 10 min • Cook: 10 min • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy

This decadent beverage is a staple during the holidays. If it’s one of your favorites, consider making this homemade version, which is so much tastier than store-bought varieties. Plus, when holiday celebrations are at their height, booze-laced eggnog is an ideal make-ahead recipe. Traditionally eggnog was aged for months, having alcohol as a preservative, and it does still benefit from even a short day or two of aging time in your fridge to let all the flavors meld together and thicken. If you do want to make it a day or two ahead, you’ll need to stir in the brandy before you chill it, otherwise the non-alcoholic version should be consumed within a day.