In a large saucepan heat water and 1 cup sugar. Swirl and stir until sugar becomes a light brown color, about 4 minutes. Do not overcook or it will become hard like candy.
Add the heavy cream and whole milk. Reduce heat to medium and stir.
In a large mixing bowl, beat egg yolks, brown sugar, and vanilla until thick.
With the whisk on medium speed add in the milk and sugar mixture. Then pour in the bourbon or rum (you decide!)
Set the mixture to the side.
Next, beat egg whites and add in 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form.
Fold the fluffy egg whites into the eggnog to get a rich creamy texture. Fold in untilt the ingredients are mixed.
Add a pinch of sea salt to top off each glass and a little brown sugar.
Serve chilled or warm and enjoy the best cup of eggnog ever!
Notes
If the mixture curdles when you add in the egg whites, use an electric mixer to mix on high until smooth. Then pour into a pitcher. You can use rum or bourbon in this recipe. Both are amazing. Bourbon has a bit of a stringer taste, rum has a bit of a sweeter taste.