There are certain foods and drinks that tend to be associated with the Christmas season. For me, one that comes to mind is egg nog. The creamy holiday drink is typically high in fat and sugar. It is often made with rum which adds to the already high calorie content. If that is not enough to keep you away, egg nog is made with raw eggs. Let's face it, who has time for salmonella food poisoning during this time of the year? If you love the flavor combination of nutmeg, rum, and vanilla but aren't crazy about gaining weight during the holidays or drinking eggs, this light egg nog recipe is for you. I made it with rum extract but if alcohol is a must for your holiday get-together, you can swap the extract for rum to make a light Christmas cocktail. Rum will add additional calories, but using this recipe, your drink will still be substantially lower than store bought varieties.
***For the alcoholic variation, reduce the milk to 4 1/2 cups and add 5 oz. of your favorite rum.

In my opinion, the word "recipe" implies the inclusion of a list of ingredients followed by a set of step-by-step directions. Therefore, I don't think I can classify this post as an actual recipe, considering it is simply the mixing of two items: Crystal Light lemonade powder mix and diet ginger ale. This combination produces the perfect light, bubbly punch without the sugar and calories of many party drinks. I served this punch for a bridal shower in July. It was quite the compliment to the humid southern heat and I was asked for the "ingredients" numerous times throughout the event. I have also found that it is a great replacement for alcoholic beverages, although you can still serve it in champagne/wine glasses for an elegant appeal. This presentation is especially fun for children. As for directions, pour one package of Crystal Light lemonade powder mix (package meant to make 2 quarts of lemonade) into a 2-liter bottle of diet ginger ale and shake well to mix. A funnel is not necessary but it helps to get the powder in the bottle quickly. You must screw the lid back on the bottle pretty quickly or the drink will begin to fizz and overflow (definitely do this over the sink). Along with its fabulous fizz, the drink is less than 5 calories per serving/glass and contains no sugar. Time to have a guilt-free party!