No holiday bash can truly be considered complete without a creamy, custardy nutmeg-laced cup of homemade eggnog. Like hot buttered rum and warm apple cider, this easy eggnog recipe is one of the quintessential Christmas drinks to serve at all your festive fêtes.
Flavored with vanilla and nutmeg and sweetened with sugar, eggnog gets its creamy, decadent texture from whole milk, heavy whipping cream and eggs. Set aside any misgivings you may have about using raw eggs in eggnog. You’ll gently cook the eggs in milk until they reach a safe temperature that zaps any potentially harmful bacteria.
Whether you like your eggnog spiked with a slug of spirits or prefer it without, this jolly mixed drink is a stellar way to usher in the holidays.
What alcohol goes into eggnog?
Most alcoholic homemade eggnog recipes feature brown spirits like rum, brandy, whiskey or bourbon. These spirits’ complex, rich aromas and flavors complement the eggnog ingredients.
If you prefer sticking to clear spirits, vodka and flavored vodka (especially those with seasonal flavors like gingerbread and peppermint) are fantastic in eggnog, too. Whatever you spike your eggnog with, budget-friendly booze is best. Add 1/4 cup of your preferred alcohol to the eggnog and adjust as needed.
Eggnog Ingredients
- Eggs: Because eggs are integral to eggnog, you want to use the best, freshest eggs you can buy. Consider picking some up at your local farm stand or farmers market if possible.
- Sugar: The sweetness of eggnog is part of its joy. Use white and brown sugar interchangeably, and don’t hesitate to adjust the sugar to your taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt is needed to balance out the sweetness of the eggnog. You won’t taste it, but it makes a difference.
- Whole milk: For the most decadent homemade eggnog, whole milk is the way to go. Swap in skim or non-fat milk, but your eggnog will be less thick.
- Vanilla extract: Use the best vanilla extract since vanilla does the heavy lifting in the flavor department. Take things up a notch with a whole vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste instead of extract. P.S. Did you know you can make your own vanilla extract?
- Nutmeg: A hint of nutmeg lifts this creamy cocktail and gives it those cozy, spiced Christmas vibes.
- Heavy whipping cream: Along with eggs, heavy whipped cream gives eggnog a super silky, rich texture.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the eggnog base
Pour the eggs, sugar, and salt into a heavy-bottom saucepan and whisk well to combine. Slowly add 4 cups of milk while cooking the mixture over low heat.
Stirring regularly, continue cooking until the mixture reads between 160° to 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 30 to 35 minutes.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t let the milk mixture come to a boil! No one wants bits of scrambled egg in their eggnog. Low and slow is the secret to great eggnog. Immediately transfer the mixture to the bowl as soon as it hits 160° to 170°.
Step 2: Add the flavorings and chill
Whisk the vanilla, nutmeg, and remaining milk into the mixture. Prepare an ice bath and place the bowl in it, stirring gently but continuously until the mixture cools. Cover and refrigerate for at least three hours.
Editor’s Tip: If the milk mixture separates, fear not! Pop it in a blender and blitz until smooth.
Step 3: Make the whipped cream
Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gently whisk the whipped cream into the cooled milk mixture.
Garnish with an extra dash of nutmeg, then serve.
Eggnog Variations
- Spice up the eggnog: This homemade eggnog recipe calls for nutmeg, but the holiday season is all about gorgeous, warming baking spices. Sprinkling additional spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, ginger or pumpkin pie spice mix adds an extra layer of festive flair to any eggnog recipe.
- Make flavored eggnog: Add chocolate liqueur, homemade creme de menthe or RumChata to your eggnog. Mix a scoop of pumpkin puree to make pumpkin eggnog, or pour some eggnog into your holiday hot chocolate (with or without a splash of alcohol).
- Make dairy-free eggnog: Use your preferred non-dairy milk alternatives instead of milk. Coconut and almond milk lend themselves well to eggnog. Instead of heavy cream, try cream of coconut. You’ll wind up with an irresistible coconut eggnog reminiscent of a coquito. It’s a fabulous way to bring a touch of the tropics to your home in the heart of winter.
How to Store Eggnog
Keep eggnog in a covered container in the fridge. Be sure to enjoy it within two to three days. Spiking the eggnog with alcohol will extend its shelf life to about five days.
Can you freeze eggnog?
While you can freeze eggnog, like with most recipes containing dairy, expect the texture to change once it has defrosted. If you’ve made eggnog for sipping, it’s best to enjoy it before it takes a trip to the freezer. Frozen, then thawed eggnog works best in recipes as a custardy, vanilla-tinged flavor boost. To freeze eggnog, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space for the liquid to expand. When frozen, it should last six months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Homemade Eggnog Tips
How can you make sure eggnog is safe to drink?
Heating eggnog up to 160° kills off harmful bacteria like salmonella. Remember, when cooking the eggnog up to the safe zone, maintain a low heat and stir the mixture so the eggs heat gently and gradually. This will prevent the dreaded scrambled egg texture. Keep an instant-read thermometer handy to be confident your eggnog is safe to drink and scrambled egg-free.
How can you use leftover eggnog?
Once you know how to make eggnog, you can add it to all sorts of seasonal recipes. A splash of eggnog seriously upgrades sweet dishes for breakfast, brunch or dessert. There are tons of delicious holiday recipes to make with eggnog, like using leftovers for eggnog French toast and eggnog cranberry muffins. Better still, eggnog is phenomenal when added to holiday cookies, sweet loaves and eggnog cream puffs.
