Amazingly Good Eggnog (2024)

Homemade eggnog is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season. This eggnog recipe is rich, creamy, and perfectly festive.

What Is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a thick, creamy, and dairy- and egg-based drink. It's traditionally made in large batches and served at holiday gatherings. It's often spiked with bourbon or rum, but it is also frequently served without alcohol.

What Does Eggnog Taste Like?

It's hard to explain the flavor of eggnog to someone who hasn't tasted it, but we'll try: Eggnog is custardy, rich, creamy, and sweet. It tastes a bit like melted ice cream that's been spiced with nutmeg.

Eggnog Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this classic eggnog at home:

  • Milk and light cream: This traditional eggnog recipe contains milk and light cream
  • Spices and seasonings: You'll need cinnamon, cloves, vanilla extract, and nutmeg.
  • Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture.
  • Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage.
  • Rum: Spike your eggnog with light rum or leave it as-is for a non-alcoholic treat.

What Alcohol Goes In Eggnog?

This boozy eggnog recipe is spiked with light rum. You could also use brandy or bourbon, depending on what mood you're in and what you have on hand. Of course, if you'd like, you can leave out the liquor altogether.

No matter how you serve it, everyone at your holiday party will love this cheery drink.

How to Make Eggnog

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this traditional eggnog:

  1. Heat the milk, cinnamon, cloves, and a dash of vanilla. Boil, then remove from heat.
  2. Whisk the egg yolks, then whisk in the sugar.
  3. Gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture.
  4. Cook the mixture over medium heat until thick, then strain to remove the cloves.
  5. Stir in the cream, rum, remaining vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight.

How to Store Eggnog

Store homemade eggnog in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you'd like to keep your eggnog for long, consider freezing it.

Can You Freeze Eggnog?

Yes, you can freeze eggnog for up to six months. Make sure to leave a few inches of room at the top of the container (the liquid will expand as it freezes). Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This recipe has become a holiday tradition in our house," according to Jayne Doe. "It's important to make a day in advance, which will give the spices time to infuse into the eggnog."

"I'll never buy store bought eggnog again," raves Heather. "This recipe tastes exactly like the most expensive brands of eggnog. I left out the rum so my kids can partake, and we just add it in to taste. This recipe is pitch perfect — don't change a thing!"

"This eggnog is so good it is ridiculous," says NICCOFIVE. "I don't even like eggnog and I loved it. My husband had four mugs of it, plus my husband also made a milkshake. I also gave some out to neighbors as a Christmas gift."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Amazingly Good Eggnog (2024)

FAQs

Can you drink eggnog every day? ›

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

Is eggnog healthy for your heart? ›

“While there are different eggnog recipes, most eggnog will typically contain high amounts of fat from cream and milk, and added sugar for sweetness,” said Cohn. The American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat every day to support heart health.

What is the very best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

Should you shake eggnog before drinking? ›

Vigorously dry shake the mixture until well blended and frothy. Add the ice and shake again until chilled. Divide between two glasses, sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg and serve immediately.

Can you drink eggnog straight up? ›

Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.

The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.

Why is eggnog not sold year round? ›

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

Is eggnog bad for high cholesterol? ›

Eggnog is loaded with saturated fat and sugar. It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.)

Why does my stomach hurt after drinking eggnog? ›

Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

Is eggnog good for the kidneys? ›

Eggnog can be considered a higher potassium and phosphorus food. Due to these nutrients, this drink food may be limited for those with kidney disease who are on a low potassium, low phosphorus diet.

Why is eggnog so expensive? ›

Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.

Is eggnog anti inflammatory? ›

The spices can be anti-inflammatory- Eggnog commonly contains nutmeg, which has anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Downing a glass of it isn't the same as popping an Advil, but it's something.

Is Crown Royal good in eggnog? ›

Egg-cellent Eggnog Tips

Rum – I like dark rum in eggnog (Myers's is what I usually buy), but spiced rum would also be fabulous. Whiskey – I typically use Crown Royal, but use what you like or keep on hand.

What pairs best with egg nog? ›

Rum is the classic alcohol to splash in a glass of eggnog. This pairing is so iconic that rum is often listed in many traditional eggnog recipes. If you'd like to add rum to your mugful, opt for a golden or dark rum.

What drink is similar to eggnog? ›

Typically made around Christmastime, the Tom and Jerry is a classic co*cktail that looks and tastes a lot like eggnog. Its exact origins are unclear, but there's evidence to suggest that the Cognac and rum-spiked drink's roots date back to England in the 19th century.

How do you drink premade eggnog? ›

Classic Spiked Eggnog

This super-simple recipe makes six 6½-ounce servings. For a well-balanced drink, add one part spirit to five parts eggnog and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg for a boozy refreshment.

Do people drink egg nog warm or cold? ›

Is Eggnog Served Hot or Cold? Eggnog is traditionally served as a punch at parties, and as such, is usually chilled or room temperature. However, warmed eggnog is also a delightful treat. In this case, we say "to each your own!" Enjoy your eggnog however you like it.

How do you drink two stars egg nog? ›

Served best with beaten egg whites floated on top but perfect to stand on its own well-chilled in a holiday punch cup sprinkled with nutmeg.

How do you drink Trader Joe's eggnog liqueur? ›

Much like its non-alcoholic nog namesake, this luxuriously smooth, spiced and pre-mixed Liqueur is great served straight, divine in coffee, and splendid blended with ice cream for a merry milkshake.

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