Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (2024)

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This Homemade Eggnog Recipe is insanely easy to make and so tasty! It is wonderfully thick and creamy with plenty of nutmeg flavor. No need to buy store-bought eggnog when this recipe is so perfect for making at home!

Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (1)

Table of Contents

  • An Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe
  • What is Eggnog?
  • What Does Eggnog Taste Like?
  • What is Eggnog Made Of?
  • How to Make Eggnog
  • Can I Add Alcohol?
  • Watch My Video Tutorial
  • Get the Recipe

An Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe

We are BIG eggnog fans around here. If you’ve hung around much at Christmas time, you’ve surely seen me mention our intense love for it before. As soon it hits shelves, we stock up. However, now that I’ve got the BEST homemade eggnog recipe, I will no longer have any need for buying it!

This eggnog is super creamy and plenty thick! Store bought versions are often thin and disappointing and this one is the opposite. In fact, I use 7 egg yolks in this recipe to be sure you get plenty of creaminess! This Christmas drink is truly hard to stop sipping and I can pretty much guarantee you won’t have any leftovers.

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a milk and egg based drink that seems to date back to the 1800s when it was served during the winter holidays, as it still is today. It’s typically made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs and some spices. Many also like to add alcohol to it.

What Does Eggnog Taste Like?

To describe the flavor is difficult, but as the name suggests, much of the flavor and texture of this drink comes from the eggs. It’s kind of like drinking custard, but thinner and spiced with nutmeg and cloves. It’s pure beverage heaven!

Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (2)

What is Eggnog Made Of?

So you may be wondering, what exactly are eggnog ingredients? They are surprisingly simple! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Egg yolks – I use a little more egg yolk than you might typically find – 7 large egg yolks to be exact. They add TONS of flavor and SO MUCH creaminess! It also makes it nice and thick, which is a must for us!
  • Sugar – To sweeten.
  • Milk and Cream – The base of eggnog, along with the eggs. You could adjust the amounts of these a bit, but I find that a little more milk than cream gives you a nice, creamy nog without it being too much.
  • Nutmeg, Cloves, Salt, Vanilla extract – For flavor. The nutmeg and cloves add the perfect amount of spice, while the salt and vanilla add great flavor and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (3)

How to Make Eggnog

There are several ways to approach making eggnog. I’m personally not a big fan of uncooked versions and I don’t really love the texture when made with whipped egg whites. The egg whites just add a funky texture in my opinion. As a result, this recipe is cooked and uses just the egg yolks. It’s also super quick and easy to make!

Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (4)

Step 1: Whip the egg yolks and sugar

To begin, you’ll add the egg yolks and sugar to a mixer bowl and whip until pale and creamy. It’ll take about 6-8 minutes and will add air and volume to the egg yolks, while helping the sugar dissolve.

Step 2: Combine milk, cream & spices, then simmer

Next, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a large saucepan and heat until it begins to simmer.

Step 3: Add the egg mixture

You’ll then want to temper the egg yolks by adding a small amount of the hot cream to the egg yolks while whisking constantly and quickly. Continue adding small amounts of the hot cream while whisking until it’s all been added, then add everything back to the saucepan.

Step 4: Cook until eggnog reaches 160F-170F

Continue cooking until the mixture reaches between 160 and 170 degrees, then remove from heat and remove the cloves. Add the vanilla extract and refrigerate until cold.

Step 5: Cool and enjoy!

The eggnog will thicken as it cools and end up wonderfully thick and creamy! It’s got amazing flavor and is sure to be a big hit!

Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (5)

Can I Add Alcohol?

You can make spiked eggnog by added alcohol to the finished drink. It will thin it out a bit, but it’ll also make things a little more merry.

The most common alcohol to use is brandy, rum (I prefer a spiced rum), bourbon or whiskey.

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Watch My Video Tutorial

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Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (7)

Recipe

Homemade Eggnog Recipe

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  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1/4 cups, 3-4 servings
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Stove
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Homemade Eggnog Recipe is insanely easy to make and so tasty! It is wonderfully thick and creamy with plenty of nutmeg flavor. No need to buy store-bought eggnog when this recipe is so perfect for making at home!

Ingredients

  • 7 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups (420ml) milk
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 whole cloves, optional
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Add egg yolks and sugar to a large mixer bowl and whip on medium speed until creamy, pale and smooth, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a medium to large saucepan, heat milk, cream, nutmeg, cloves and salt over medium heat until it begins to simmer, stirring regularly.
3. When the milk mixture begins to simmer, add a small amount to the egg yolks, whisking quickly constantly to temper the eggs and keep them from scrambling. Add small amounts of additional milk/cream at a time, whisking to combine, until all has been incorporated.
4. Add the milk and egg mixture back to the saucepan and continue heating until it reaches 160-170 degrees.
5. Remove from heat, then add the vanilla extract and remove the cloves.
6. Pour into a container and refrigerate until cold. Eggnog is best is used within 2-3 days.

Notes

If you’d like to add alcohol to your eggnog, I’d recommend starting with about 1/4 cup and adding more to taste.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 355
  • Sugar: 31.5 g
  • Sodium: 657.6 mg
  • Fat: 21.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Protein: 9.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 365.3 mg

Categories

  • Christmas
  • Drinks
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Recipes with video
Creamy Homemade Eggnog Recipe - How to Make the Best Eggnog! (2024)

FAQs

What makes eggnog better? ›

Low calorie flavorings like orange zest, vanilla and cinnamon can also give your homemade eggnog a boost. Bottom Line: Make your own eggnog so you can control the quality and the amount of the ingredients – especially the high calorie ones.

What's the ingredients for eggnog? ›

A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy. We grew up with eggnog, the kind you buy in a carton, and every Christmas holiday we kids drank up as much of it as we could.

What can I add to eggnog to make it better? ›

Ingredients
  1. Eggnog.
  2. Spirits: rum, bourbon, whiskey, and/or brandy.
  3. Whipped cream.
  4. Syrup: caramel and/or chocolate.
  5. Spices: nutmeg, cinnamon (sticks and ground), and/or pumpkin spice.
  6. Crushed gingersnap cookies or red-hot candies, or cinnamon sugar for rimming glasses (optional)
Dec 6, 2023

What is the best mix for eggnog? ›

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.

What makes eggnog so thick? ›

Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture. Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage.

What's the difference between classic and traditional eggnog? ›

Traditional Nogs more closely resemble the nogs of old, although they are sure to still contain some more modern food science innovations. Dairyland Classic Eggnog is essentially Dairyland Original Eggnog but with more actual dairy. It tastes much like its cousin, although the added creaminess is immediately apparent.

How long does homemade eggnog last? ›

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.

What alcohol is usually used in eggnog? ›

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

What can you use instead of heavy cream in eggnog? ›

You can easily take a traditional recipe and make some quick substitutions. For example, instead of the heavy cream, opt for whole milk or coconut milk. And then for the whole milk, you can try 2 percent milk or almond milk. And if a recipe calls for 1 cup or ¾ cup of sugar, try using ¼ cup less.

What gives eggnog its unique flavor? ›

The distinctive spices that give eggnog its characteristic taste, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, are used to create eggnog-flavored foods and beverages.

Is eggnog and advocaat the same thing? ›

Even though advocaat and eggnog are made with the same ingredients, they are a world apart. Eggnog is liquid and frothy whereas Dutch advocaat is a creamy blend of egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and brandewijn. Advocaat is an old-fashioned drink and associated with grandmothers and the old days.

Can you get eggnog in the UK? ›

Amazon.co.uk: Eggnog - Eggnog / Dairy Drinks: Grocery. Check each product page for other buying options.

What kind of brandy do you use for eggnog? ›

For the brandy eggnog, Korbel VS was the brand of choice, and it produced a perfectly balanced drink. This eggnog had a nice sweetness in every sip, which paired admirably with the creamy egg base.

What kind of rum do you use for eggnog? ›

What Kind of Rum Goes Best with Eggnog? “I like something with a little bit more body and flavor than say, just like a silver [or white rum],” says Chamberlain. “Those are good, but I feel like you can bring more to the party—the party being eggnog.” That's why he prefers a spiced rum or an aged rum.

How much alcohol is in eggnog? ›

I just finished filling up a 12 cup container to the brim with Alton Brown's aged eggnog recipe. The recipe includes 3 cups of mixed alcohol that all have 40% ABV. So the total alcohol amount should be 40% of 3 cups = 1.2 cups of alcohol in a volume of 12 cups, or 10% ABV.

Why do people love eggnog? ›

Perhaps it's the cinnamon and vanilla, or maybe it's the fact that the eggnog is the color of snow. Whatever it is, people love to drink this lactose-laced co*cktail during the holidays. One reason eggnog is commonly connected with the holidays is that early recipes served it hot, making it a great winter beverage.

What gives eggnog its flavor? ›

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.

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