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

Why is my homemade eggnog so thick? ›

Heavy cream will make your eggnog thicker and creamier. Boozy eggnog will also continue to thicken in the fridge as it ages.

What is the ratio for eggnog? ›

Here's your golden ratio for pop-up holiday cheer: Combine 1 part of your selected spirit to 5 parts prepared eggnog. Want us to make it even easier on you? If you buy a 1-quart container of eggnog, you should use 6.5 ounces of liquor, total.

What is the best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

Brandy: Makes the Most Traditional Eggnog

For the most traditional holiday experience, reach for brandy (specifically, Cognac) to spike your 'nog. It's important to note, though, that both brandy and eggnog are quite sweet.

What makes eggnog better? ›

trick for turning it into a delightful holiday drink: I shake the eggnog in a co*cktail shaker with lots of ice—with or without alcohol—to dilute it a bit, make it light and frothy, and make it extra cold.

How do you fix eggnog that is too thick? ›

How can I fix it? This one is pretty easy and there's no fuss at all. If it's too thick, add more milk and heavy cream. If it's too thin, you can dissolve about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in cold milk, add it to the mixture over the stove, and stir until it thickens to your liking.

What to do if eggnog is too thick? ›

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.

What are the rules for eggnog? ›

All ingredients used are safe and suitable. Eggnog contains not less than 6 percent milkfat and not less than 8.25 percent milk solids not fat. The egg yolk solids content is not less than 1 percent by weight of the finished food. The food shall be pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized and may be hom*ogenized.

How long does homemade eggnog last? ›

How long does each type of eggnog last? Homemade eggnog typically lasts 2-3 days if stored in 40º F or less under the proper conditions. Store-bought eggnog lasts 5-7 days after opening if it has been refrigerated. Canned eggnog lasts 4 to 5 months and around 5-7 days after opening.

Why is my eggnog runny? ›

The tricky thing about making a stirred custard is its susceptibility to curdling. If you get the mixture too hot, your beautiful custard sauce will resemble runny scrambled eggs. Not very appetizing.

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 type of rum is best for eggnog? ›

"When choosing a rum, I personally find a spiced rum to be the best for the flavors incorporated in eggnogs," he said. "Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum is best for its quality and flavor profile.”

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 makes eggnog unhealthy? ›

“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.

How do you jazz up egg nog? ›

Swap an ounce of your chosen liquor for an ounce of Port (this works especially well with rum or brandy) or Madeira (mixed with rum, this variation makes the historic Baltimore Eggnog). Add chilled coffee or cold-brew coffee for a creamy nog that channels a mocha latte vibe.

Is it OK to drink eggnog everyday? ›

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.

Should eggnog be thick or thin? ›

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.

How do you dilute eggnog? ›

Because the eggnog thickens the longer you keep it stored in your refrigerator (and it's quite boozy), you can always dilute it by adding more milk just before serving.

Does eggnog thicken in the fridge? ›

Because the eggnog thickens the longer you keep it stored in your refrigerator (and it's quite boozy), you can always dilute it by adding more milk just before serving.

Is it normal for homemade eggnog to separate? ›

For Serving Eggnog

The mixture will have separated, and that is perfectly normal; give it a vigorous shake.

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