How to make homemade egg nog (2024)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

this recipe

Have you ever made your own egg nog before? This homemade egg nog is easier than you think, and better than store-bought! It’s thick, rich and creamy. Trust me, you’ll want to make this one!

How to make homemade egg nog (2)

Tools & Equipment to make this homemade egg nog

**Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. You can review my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Medium Sized Pot

Large bowl

Whisk

Ingredients in egg nog

Egg nog is made from ingredients you probably already have at home! Whole milk, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla extract, egg yolks, granulated sugar, heavy cream and cinnamon!

How to make homemade egg nog (3)

What does eggnog taste like?

Eggnog is a sweet custard-like drink that’s thick, creamy, and rich.

Can you freeze egg nog?

Yes, you can freeze egg nog for up to six months, but you’ll want to be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container with enough room to allow for the eggnog to expand as it freezes.

How long does eggnog last in fridge

Homemade eggnog will last for 2-3 days in the fridge, and store-bought eggnog will last for 5-7 days after being opened.

How can you make egg nog alcoholic?

This egg nog recipe is made nonalcoholic, but you can add your favorite alcoholic beverage to make it your own. When serving, mix 1 part alcohol to five parts eggnog, and stir it together.

Liquor for egg nog

You can use brandy, dark rum, bourbon, or cognac for a classic eggnog, or add some southern comfort, or fireball to change up the flavor!

Who invented egg nog?

Eggnog originated in medieval Britain and was considered a luxury drink for the rich because milk, sherry, and eggs weren’t easily accessible to the lower classes.

When does eggnog come out?

In the US, the earliest you can typically find store-bought egg nog is mid-October, but it is most typical to find eggnog mid-November, just in time for Thanksgiving, and throughout the month of December.

But, since you can easily make eggnog with ingredients you already have at home, you can make eggnog anytime you want, all year long!

How to make homemade egg nog (4)

How to make homemade egg nog

Whisk together milk, nutmeg, and vanilla in a medium saucepan.

How to make homemade egg nog (5)

Add the cinnamon stick and bring to a low boil. It will take about 3-4 minutes to get there.

Crack egg yolks into a large bowl. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the yolks are pale in color.

How to make homemade egg nog (6)

Add a spoonful of the hot milk to the egg yolks and mix well.

Continue to add the milk by the spoonful until about 1/4 cup of the hot milk has been mixed in, making sure to mix well between each addition.

How to make homemade egg nog (7)

Finally, pour in the remaining hot milk, and whisk continuously. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to thicken.

The mixture will coat the back of the spoon when you raise a spoon out of the eggnog.

How to make homemade egg nog (8)

At this point, remove the mixture from heat, and stir in the heavy cream.

How to make homemade egg nog (9)

Chill the eggnog until you are ready to serve, about 2-4 hours.

How to make homemade egg nog (10)

Serve with a cinnamon stick, whipped cream, or add bourbon, whiskey, southern comfort, or fireball to make a special alcoholic drink!

You will also love these recipes!

  • Apple Crisp
  • Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Frosting
  • Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
  • Dutch Apple Pie
  • Snickerdoodle Apple Pie
  • Apple Pie Overnight Oats
How to make homemade egg nog (11)

Print

How to make homemade egg nog (12)

Eggnog Easy Recipe

  • Author: Melissa
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes + 2-4 hours chill time
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 23 cups 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Have you ever made your own egg nog before? This homemade egg nog is easier than you think, and better than store-bought! Trust me, you’ll want to make this one!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon for topping, optional

Instructions

Whisk together milk, nutmeg and vanilla in a medium saucepan.

Add the cinnamon stick and bring to a low boil. It will take about 3-4 minutes to get there.

Crack egg yolks into a large bowl. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the yolks are pale in color.

Add a spoonful of the hot milk to the egg yolks and mix well. Continue to add the milk by the spoonful until about 1/4 cup of the hot milk has been mixed in, making sure to mix well between each addition.

Finally, pour in the remaining hot milk, and whisk continuously. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to thicken.

The mixture will coat the back of the spoon when you raise a spoon out of the milk.

At this point, remove the mixture from heat, and stir in the heavy cream.

Chill the eggnog until you are ready to serve, about 2-4 hours.

Serve with a cinnamon stick and whipped cream.

Want to make it alcoholic? When serving, mix 1 part alcohol to five parts eggnog, and stir it together. You can use brandy, dark rum, bourbon, cognac for a classic eggnog, or add some southern comfort, or fireball to change up the flavor!

Notes

You can add bourbon, or other alcohol, to this eggnog when the heavy cream is added.

Store in an airtight container (like a mason jar) will last up to 3 days.

  • Category: Hot drinks
  • Method: Stove top

Keywords: Eggnog Easy Recipe

Save this Eggnog Easy Recipe for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board.

How to make homemade egg nog (14)

If you loved this post, you’ll love the Total Beginner’s Guide to Baking.

In the Total Beginner’s Guide to Baking, I break down all the things that you should know to be a better baker.

After reading through this guide you will know how to accurately measure any ingredient, and how to measure honey without having it stick to the cup! (Soooo annoying.)

There’s also an article with tips on how to read through recipes. It sets you on the right foot before you even start baking anything.

How to make homemade egg nog (15)

I have a habit of baking AS I read through the recipe. So, I often miss a step, or screw up something that is explained in more detail lower on the page…. (will I ever learn?!!… Looking at my track record, no, probably not!)

But, you, my friend, won’t have to throw out so many ingredients because you have this article to help you through the recipe AND a worksheet to write down the important details before starting.

Anyways, this guide is 22 pages of helpful resources for the beginner AND intermediate baker. I am sure you will find it insanely useful on your baking journey.

Have fun baking!

How to make homemade egg nog (2024)

FAQs

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.

Does eggnog require raw eggs? ›

Eggnog may be safely made at home by using whole, liquid or pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs are found next to regular eggs at the store. Egg substitutes can also be used. These products have also been pasteurized.

How is eggnog made of? ›

Eggnog is traditionally made with eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. It's often spiked with brandy, rum or other liquor, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks.

What kind of alcohol do you use to make 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.

How long will homemade egg nog last? ›

Non-alcoholic eggnog: Consume within 1 day. Eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup liquor: Refrigerate for several days. Eggnog with 1 1/2 cups liquor: Refrigerate for several weeks in a sealed glass container or mason jar, where it will continue aging and thicken up quite nicely.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

How Risky Is It To Drink Eggnog? Food Safety Experts Share Their Concerns. Salmonella accounts for 26,000 hospitalizations and over 400 fatalities a year. Homemade is usually better, but not necessarily in the case of eggnog.

Why can't you drink a lot of eggnog? ›

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.

Why don t you get salmonella from eggnog? ›

If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free of Salmonella bacteria. If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.

Can you drink too much eggnog? ›

Throw out the pumpkin spice lattes and pour yourself eggnog, the little black dress of drinks, perfect for adding to everything from breakfast coffees to spiked evening co*cktails. But one too many eggnogs can cause a less-than-jolly experience, especially in terms of digestive distress.

Is eggnog good for you? ›

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.)

Does eggnog have a lot of alcohol? ›

A concentration of at least 20% of alcohol (about the same amounts of alcoholic spirits and milk or cream), and refrigeration are recommended for safety.

What is American eggnog made of? ›

What Is Eggnog Made Of? Today, eggnog is usually made of some combination of eggs (either just the yolks or the yolks and the whipped egg whites), sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and sometimes booze. We're all familiar with the cartons of store-bought eggnog that grace supermarkets every December.

Does alcohol in eggnog cook the eggs? ›

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 do you call eggnog with alcohol? ›

Rumchata Eggnog is an alcoholic beverage made with eggnog and RumChata® served in a glass with a cinnamon-sugar rim. It's the perfect co*cktail to serve at your Christmas and New Year's Eve parties! And, I even have copycat Rumchata and homemade eggnog you can use in the drink.

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.

Is eggnog good for hydration? ›

Experts say fluid from tea and coffee – even that eggnog latte – counts toward hydration. Even soda and juices technically contribute to one's daily fluid intake, although experts do not recommend them because of their high sugar content. Alcohol, however, doesn't make the cut.

What are the nutrition facts of homemade eggnog? ›

One serving of eggnog (3.5 oz / 100g) has 133 calories (58 calories from fat). It contains 6.5g total fat (3.2g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 86mg potassium, 14.2g total carbohydrates (13.3g sugars), and 5.5g protein. Enjoy the Christmas with homemade eggnog.

Why does eggnog make me sleepy? ›

Alcohol: Wine, champagne or eggnog

Many do. Alcohol has a sedative effect on the body. This can be a contributing factor to your sleepiness.

Is store-bought eggnog healthy? ›

One-half cup typically has 170 calories and 8 grams of fat. Making your own eggnog will spare you the additives found in store-bought varieties but a traditional recipe will be similar in calories and fat. You can lighten things up using low fat dairy products and going light on the sugar.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5859

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.