Homemade Eggnog (2024)

You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best!Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You’ll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Homemade Eggnog (1)

Eggnog

I absolutely love eggnog! I have nothing against store-bought eggnog–we have it all the time in our fridge this time of year–but this homemade eggnog recipe is truly what dreams are made of! If you’ve ever thought you didn’t like it, you just have to try it made from scratch.

Several years ago I sought out to make homemade eggnog. My first attempt was not a success and left my husband cringing. Let’s just say that the completely “raw egg” method of making eggnog is just not for me.

I pressed forward, determined to succeed, and ended up loving this recipe from Cuisine at Home. I used ground nutmeg instead of fresh, because I always have ground on hand. I also ignored their ice-water bath suggestion and just refrigerated it instead.

The end result was liquid gold, and it’s become our family’s favorite eggnog recipe ever since! Seriously, this homemade recipe will “WOW” even the biggest eggnog snob!

Homemade Eggnog (2)

This eggnog recipe is thick, sweet, creamy and smooth, with the perfect flavor. It doesn’t contain alcohol (if you’d like to add some, read on for my suggestions), but we are non-alcohol drinkers at my house, and I wanted an eggnog recipe my kids can enjoy too.

How to make eggnog:

Start by whisking the egg yolk and sugar together in a small bowl. Then, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cream, milk, salt, and nutmeg and stir the mixture until it just reaches a simmer. Next temper the eggs by adding small spoonfuls of the hot mixture to the egg mixture.

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Stir each spoonful and once most of the hot mixture has been added, add the entire mixture back to the saucepan. Continue cooking and whisking for just another minute or two until it barely thickens. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Then remove it from the heat and add the vanilla. Refrigerate the eggnog mixture until chilled.

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We like to serve it with a some whipped cream and an extra little dash of cinnamon and nutmeg on top.

What type of alcohol goes in eggnog?

If you would like to add alcohol to your eggnog, choose a drink with a high alcohol concentration to help counterbalance the sweetness of the eggnog. Common choices of alcohol to add to eggnog include brandy, rum, bourbon or whisky.

Homemade Eggnog (5)

Don’t miss my Eggnog French Toast!

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Recipe

Homemade Eggnog (6)

4.99 from 7196 votes

Homemade Eggnog

The BEST Homemade Egg Nog recipe! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 307

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 25 minutes mins

Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ground cinnamon , for topping
  • alcohol optional, see note

Instructions

  • Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy.

  • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer.

  • Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs.

  • Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.

  • Whisk constantly for just a few minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools.

  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, and alcohol*, if using.

  • Pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap.

  • Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth.

  • Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired.

  • Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

Alcohol: If you want to add alcohol to your eggnog, start with ¼ cup brandy, bourbon, rum or whisky added at the same time as the vanilla, or after cooling the eggnog. Add more to taste, if desired.

Yield: about 4 cups

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 246mgSodium: 58mgPotassium: 155mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 960IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 0.5mg

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About The Author

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

Homemade Eggnog (2024)

FAQs

Does homemade eggnog taste better than store bought? ›

You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

How long will homemade eggnog 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.

How to thicken homemade eggnog? ›

To thicken the mixture, add a cornstarch slurry. Thoroughly combine 3 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cool water. Add this mixture at the end of cooking the egg yolks, sugar, and rum in the bowl over the simmering water bath. Whisk until thickened then proceed with chilling.

What is the best alcohol to put in 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.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. 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.

Why is my homemade eggnog foamy? ›

Why It Works. Whipping egg whites into a meringue makes for an extra-light and frothy eggnog.

How to tell if eggnog is spoiled? ›

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 drink year old eggnog? ›

Best Eggnog Recipe

Game plan: It's good to give the eggnog a full 3 weeks of aging or up to 1 year, but you can drink it right away; however, the flavor will be less rounded.

Does alcohol cook eggs in eggnog? ›

No. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, "eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill Salmonella that may be present. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill it completely." However, if you use pasteurized eggs, no further cooking is necessary.

What makes eggnog taste better? ›

There's also lots of room to play. Drizzle a little chocolate sauce into the shaker with the eggnog for a chocolate eggnog. Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or turn your eggnog into an iced eggnog latte by pouring a shot of espresso into the shaker. Either way, you'll feel the spirit of the holidays!

Why did my homemade eggnog curdle? ›

Make sure you whisk it while pouring the hot milk, if not the egg will get curdled. Once both mixes are fully mixed in, add that whole mixture into a clean pot and keep it on a low fire while whisking so the eggs don't get curdled until thick.

Why are there chunks in my eggnog? ›

When you refrigerate the eggnog made with cream it solidifies and gets chunky. A tip for separating the milk from the water, put the can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight. Then open the can from the bottom, and pour out the water to use in another recipe, you'll be able to easily scoop out the thickened milk.

What do you call eggnog with alcohol? ›

"Tom and Jerry is a form of hot eggnog [co*cktail] that was once popular." The Tom and Jerry was invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, using brandy and rum added to eggnog and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. It is a traditional Christmastime co*cktail in the United States.

Does eggnog curdle with alcohol? ›

Though rare, there is the potential that eggnog will curdle when it's mixed with alcohol. That's typically due to too much acid interacting with the dairy.

Should eggnog be served hot 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.

Why does store-bought eggnog taste different? ›

There are a couple of reasons that store-bought 'nog will never taste as good as home made. First off, homemade eggnog gets its thickness and flavor from real eggs, but compared to other ingredients in commercial eggnog, eggs are expensive.

Why does aged eggnog taste better? ›

The idea? Make a batch of eggnog and let it age for at least three weeks in the refrigerator before drinking. The rest period supposedly drives off eggy taste while giving the other flavors a chance to meld. At the same time, the alcohol has a chance to kill any potential pathogens in the mix.

What is the difference between classic and regular eggnog? ›

The old-fashioned eggnog is made with raw eggs, milk, cream, bourbon, and sugar. Usually, compared to classic eggnog, this version is stronger and creamier in taste and texture.

What is considered the best eggnog? ›

The Best Eggnog: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog

“It has a lovely golden color with small flecks of grated nutmeg,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. While only a sprinkling is used, even in homemade recipes, this baking spice really makes this Christmastime drink taste like the holiday season.

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