Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2024)

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This creamy Homemade Eggnog is thick, rich, and spiced with traditional nutmeg to get you into the spirit of the holiday season! It's so much better than store bought, and uses just a few simple ingredients!

Homemade Eggnog

Celebrate the Christmas season right with this ultra creamy and decadent homemade eggnog. It's made with real cream, milk, eggs, and nutmeg that makes a festive drink for the holiday.

It's easy to make, using just a few pantry ingredients, and store bought cannot even compare. Each sip encapsulates the nostalgia of holiday tradition.

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a drink that is a sort of rich milk punch made with cream, sugar, eggs, and nutmeg. It is typically served during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. These rich ingredients were thought to be luxurious, celebrating the past year and welcoming prosperity for the new one.

Now, eggnog is a comforting and nostalgic, but still very much luxurious and rich, holiday beverage that people still enjoy during the whole holiday season.

What Type of Alcohol Goes in Eggnog?

Traditional eggnog is most often made with bourbon, rum, or cognac. In fact that signature "eggnog flavor" of store-bought varieties is actually rum extract. Otherwise, it would just taste like sweet spiced milk.

This homemade eggnog recipe calls for rum extract, as it will give you the classic flavor without the alcohol. However, you can omit the extract and instead use 1.5 ounce each bourbon and rum (about 3 tablespoons each). This will give you that classic flavor using actual alcohol instead of extract.

Real alcohol in dairy and eggs actually helps it to not go bad, making your homemade eggnog safer!

Of course, if you're opting for using real alcohol, it's no longer safe to serve children.

How to Make Homemade Eggnog into a co*cktail

There are plenty of elegant, beautiful, and delicious eggnog co*cktails all over the internet. But the easiest one is simply to add 1.5 ounces of bourbon or rum to a glass, and fill the remaining glass with your chilled homemade eggnog. Give it a quick stir, and enjoy!

How to Serve Homemade Eggnog

Since homemade eggnog is made with raw eggs, it's very important that it doesn't sit out. Therefore, I don't recommend serving in a punch bowl, unless you're keeping the punch bowl in the fridge.

Pour refrigerated eggnog into glasses or mugs. Add alcohol to make it a co*cktail, if desired.

To garnish, you can top with whipped cream and freshly shaved nutmeg. You can also top with pretty spices such as cinnamon sticks or stars of anise, or even cookies such as wafer straws or gingersnaps.

More Eggnog Recipes You'll Love

  • Eggnog French Toast - a super simple holiday breakfast that uses eggnog and eggs to make a festive French toast.
  • Eggnog Muffins - nutmeg spiced muffins with a cinnamon streusel and an eggnog glaze.
  • Eggnog Fudge - this easy candy tastes just like your favorite eggnog. Eggnog lovers will love every creamy bite.
  • Eggnog French Toast Casserole - a festive make-ahead Christmas breakfast with a moist eggnog French toast base topped with a brown sugar streusel topping.
  • Eggnog Pumpkin Pie - everyone's favorite pie made even more decadent with creamy, rich, spiced eggnog.

Homemade Eggnog Video

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (3)

Homemade Eggnog

This creamy Homemade Eggnog is thick, rich, and spiced with traditional nutmeg to get you into the spirit of the holiday season! It's so much better than store bought, and uses just a few simple ingredients!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: From Scratch, Homemade, Homemade Eggnog

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 cups

Calories: 286kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs divided into yolks and whites
  • cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon rum extract
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • Place egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Beat egg yolks until they change in color to lighter, creamy color.

  • Continue mixing and slowly add in the ⅓ cup sugar. Continue mixing until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture is smooth (You don't want your eggnog to have a gritty texture)

  • Add the cream, milk, rum extract, and nutmeg to the egg yolk mixture and stir to combine.

  • Place the egg whites in a separate mixing bowl and beat until soft peaks form.

  • Gradually add 1 tablespoon sugar and continue mixing to combine.

  • Whisk egg white mixture into eggnog mixture until combined.

  • Chill and serve cold.

Notes

  • Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

This recipe contains raw eggs. To reduce risks, use only fresh, properly refrigerated eggs, and consume at your own risk. Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs, shellfish and meat may increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 177mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in December 2017. It was updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in November 2023.

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Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What liquor is best for making eggnog? ›

Choose The Right Spirit

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.

Is eggnog better with rum or whiskey? ›

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.

Is homemade eggnog good for you? ›

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

What kind of rum do you use for eggnog? ›

Avoid white rum because it's too light and transparent. Instead, choose a gold or aged rum. For a fun twist similar to rye whiskey, go with spiced rum. For the best of both classics, pour both brandy and rum, splitting them equally in the eggnog.

Why do people put liquor in eggnog? ›

"Milk, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health." Those who could afford milk and eggs and costly spirits mixed the eggnog with brandy, Madeira wine or sherry to make a drink similar to modern alcoholic eggnog.

Does eggnog taste better with alcohol? ›

The amount of alcohol put in eggnog has no written rule, but it tastes best with 1 part spirit for every 5 parts eggnog. The alcohol takes away the rich and sweet taste of the eggnog, so if you're looking for a more bitter drink you can add extra alcohol.

How much alcohol to add to eggnog? ›

Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.

Does alcohol make eggnog last longer? ›

How Long Does Aged Eggnog Last? Once the milk and cream have been mixed with the egg base, the amount of alcohol won't keep it shelf stable. Simply store it in the refrigerator in the glass jar for up to a week. Trust me; it won't make it long because it tastes so good!

What's the best bourbon to mix with eggnog? ›

Top Bourbons for Spicing Up Your Best Eggnog Recipe
Bourbon nameLocation madeTotal worldwide sales
Woodford ReserveWoodford County, Kentucky$1.2 billion
BulleitShelbyville, Kentucky$1.1 billion
Knob CreekClermont, Kentucky$900 million
Four RosesLawrenceburg, Kentucky$800 million
6 more rows
Nov 4, 2023

How long will homemade egg nog last? ›

Cover and refrigerate.

The more liquor you add, the longer it will keep — non-alcoholic eggnog should be consumed within 1 day; eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup of liquor will keep for several days; and eggnog with 1 1/2 cups of liquor will keep for several weeks and continue aging and thickening quite nicely.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

How long should you keep homemade eggnog? ›

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

Can you just add rum to store bought eggnog? ›

If you're looking for a traditional approach, spike store-bought eggnog using your favorite liquor like brandy, bourbon, or rum. This super-simple recipe makes six 6½-ounce servings.

Is Bacardi rum good in eggnog? ›

As synonymous with the holiday season as Mariah Carey, BACARDÍ Eggnog is Christmas in a cup – or in a glass in this case. Made with BACARDÍ Spiced rum it's just like melted ice cream; smooth, creamy and sweet but with a gentle kick of nutmeg spice.

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 alcohol is in white claw? ›

White Claw ® Hard Seltzer is made from a blend of seltzer water, our gluten free vodka base, and a hint of fruit flavour. Check below to see our full ingredients and nutrition labels. Ingredients: Carbonated water, Vodka, Cane sugar, Natural flavour, Citric acid.

What kind of alcohol is Southern Comfort? ›

Southern Comfort (often abbreviated SoCo) is an American, naturally fruit-flavored, whiskey liqueur with fruit and spice accents. The brand was created by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron in New Orleans in 1874, using whiskey as the base spirit. Whiskey was replaced by a neutral spirit under the ownership of Brown–Forman.

Is vodka good in eggnog? ›

Can I mix volka with eggnog? Assuming you mean vodka, sure. Personally I'd suggest adding dark rum or bourbon or brandy to your eggnog - spirits that add flavor as well as 'punch' - but vodka works just fine.

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