Chocolate and Spice Eggnog Mocktail

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
• Ground cinnamon, for garnish

Directions

1. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth and slightly lighter in color.
2. Combine the milk, cream, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until steaming, stirring often, but do not let it boil.
3. Slowly whisk about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks, then pour the warmed yolks back into the saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 1 minute, then whisk until completely smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
5. Pour the eggnog through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher. Chill until cold, at least 3 hours.
6. Before serving, whisk or blend the chilled eggnog until creamy and pour into glasses. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a light dusting of ground cinnamon.