I Just Found Out My Favorite Costco Holiday Product Is Illegal In Some States

It’s a cup of cheer, alright.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again—the highlight of the holidays at Costco is undoubtedly the Kirkland Signature boozy eggnog. In fact, the sweet and creamy seasonal drink is so popular, it usually sells out well before December.

For the past few years, the Costco eggnog has been a staple at my family's holiday celebrations. My mom alerts the group chat as soon as she spots it on shelves—sometimes as early as September—so we can make sure to stock up for the season (and thanks to its long shelf-life, the drink is still perfectly fresh by Christmas).

The creamy, pre-made cocktail is all too convenient to pour over ice or stir into a mug of hot cocoa. But it wasn’t until recently that I realized the limited-time treat isn't actually available to all Costco members. Why? Because in some states, the club store isn't legally allowed to sell it.

How Boozy Is the Kirkland Signature Eggnog?

There are a few reasons why the Kirkland Signature Eggnog Liqueur is so tasty: the sweet vanilla flavor; the indulgent, creamy richness; and the belly-warming booze. How much alcohol are we talking? Not one, but three types of liquor: whiskey, spiced rum, and brandy.

With that trio of spirits, it turns out a serving of this seemingly harmless holiday beverage has more alcohol-by-volume (ABV) content than you might expect. The drink is 29.5 proof with an ABV of 14.75%, which is higher than most wines.

You might think that much liquor would give the drink an alcohol-forward flavor, but no. Through my thorough research, I've found the eggnog has a similar effect as a mudslide or piña colada—the sweet, decadent flavors ensure all that whiskey, rum, and brandy go down extra smoothly.

Which States Don't Allow Costco Eggnog Sales?

Unfortunately, the eggnog's irresistible taste isn't enough to bend legal regulations. Because of the high ABV, the 1.75-liter bottles are usually sold only in Costco liquor stores, not in the main warehouse, which means the store has to have a liquor license to sell them.

Costco locations in Idaho, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia are all restricted to selling only beer and wine, while stores in Kansas and Utah can only sell beer with an ABV of 6% or lower. In Pennsylvania and Maryland, strict alcohol regulations prevent Costco from selling any alcohol at all.

How to Make Your Own Boozy Eggnog

If you happen to live in one of the states that doesn’t allow eggnog sales, don’t worry, you can still get a hit of holiday spirit by making your own homemade version.

Our recipe for Amazingly Good Eggnog only requires a handful of ingredients and can be made with or without the alcohol.

Start by heating milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves in a saucepan over low heat. In a separate bowl, whip egg yolks until they’re light in color, then slowly add sugar. Gradually blend the hot milk into the eggs to avoid scrambling, then cook the mixture until it thickens. Strain out the cloves, and, once cooled, stir in cream, rum, more vanilla, and nutmeg. Chill for at least eight hours, and you’ll have a rich, festive drink ready to enjoy.

So, whether you make it yourself or enjoy it Kirkland Signature-style, this is a holiday tradition you can start no matter which state you're celebrating from.

Read the original article on All Recipes.