Thanksgiving is officially over! Now we can fully focus on Christmas!

The Rompope eggnog is a must for Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners throughout Latin America. Rompope is now in popular demand as the recipe for the holiday treat.

This delightful libation brings back memories of sipping eggnog at Christmas, thanks to flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean, which embody the winter season in the States. When you move to another country, one of the things you miss most is family. So, it is time to improve our mood and make a tasty homemade Rompope Tico.

So, let’s go to the kitchen!

The easy-to-find ingredients are:

 •1 liter of milk. I don't recommend fat-free milk, but you can use it if you like.
 •1 cup of white sugar.
 •1 teaspoon of baking soda.
 •1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
 • 2 dried cloves.
 •12 egg yolks. Just the yolks.
 •1 teaspoon of nutmeg powder.
 •1 teaspoon of vanilla.
 •1/2 cup of Cacique Tico guaro brand (but rum or brandy works).

In a large pot mix the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, sugar, nutmeg, and baking soda. Stir well.

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Then lower the temperature and cook for about 8-10 minutes, allowing the milk to absorb the flavors of cinnamon and cloves. Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove to cool.
              
While the milk is cooling, beat the egg yolks until they are pale yellow. You can use the mixer if you wish for this step. Slowly pour the egg yolk mixture into the already cold milk and stir.

Once everything is fully incorporated, place the saucepan back on the stove and turn it on over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook while stirring frequently to prevent setting, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from the heat.

If you do not like the cloves, strain the mix. Then, add rum and vanilla. Mix softly. Pour it into another container with a top and let it cool for a couple of hours. Then, put it in the fridge.

Rompope will taste better if you let the flavors combine, keep it in the fridge for 2 weeks. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg before drinking.

You won't stop drinking, I promise!

Have a Pura Vida Christmas!

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Find more tasty step-by-step Costa Rican food recipes on the AM Costa Rica Food & Good Eating page. You are invited to share your favorite recipes with a horizontal photo of the dish by emailing food@amcostarica.com.