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Rich and decadent, this Homemade Eggnog tastes just like Christmas in a glass. It’s an easy to make recipe that has an amazing creamy texture with just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of nutmeg! It’s delicious treat with or without adding alcohol!
The Best Homemade Eggnog Recipe
From picking out the perfect Christmas tree to decorating candy adorned gingerbread houses, the holidays are full of fun and festive traditions. One beverage that people immediately associate with the Christmas holidays is eggnog, and for good reason! It’s a smooth, sweet indulgence with the signature flavor of warm and comforting nutmeg. This eggnog recipe can easily be made into a holiday cocktail or served as a custardy like punch for the kids. Perfect for any holiday party!
If you’re a huge eggnog fan like we are, you are in for a real treat with this recipe! Once you taste this homemade eggnog, you’ll never want the store-bought version again. Made with a few simple ingredients, you can have a whole batch whipped up and ready for the fridge in just 20 minutes. For an extra special sweet treat, serve it with a slice of this Eggnog Bread or this Pumpkin Roll.
💓 Why We Love this Recipe
- This easy homemade version tastes so much better than store-bought eggnog.
- Easy to customize to make a non-alcoholic eggnog version the whole family can enjoy.
- Because it’s you own homemade eggnog recipe, you can adjust how much alcohol you add based on personal taste.
🔪Recommended Tools:
- Large saucepan
- Whisk
- Large mixing bowl
- Mesh strainer
- Sealed container for storing
- Measuring cups
- Instant read thermometer
🛒 What’s Needed to Make This Delicious Homemade Eggnog
- Egg yolks – room temperature
- Granulated sugar
- Whole milk
- Heavy cream
- Ground nutmeg – plus extra for topping (you can use fresh nutmeg)
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Spiced rum or bourbon (optional)
- Whipped cream for topping
- Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
📄 How to Make Eggnog from Scratch
Step One: Whisk Yolks and Sugar
- Separate the yolks from the egg whites.
- In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Set the egg and sugar mixture aside.
Step Two: Heat Milk Mixture
- Heat milk, heavy whipping cream, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, in a medium saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to simmer.
Step Three: Combine Ingredients
- Remove from the heat and add the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture by big the spoon full, whisking the combined mixture well in between each addition.
Tip: Be sure to add slowly, we want to temper the eggs, or you’ll end up with scrambled eggs.
Step Four: Cook Eggnog
- Once most of the milk mixture is added to the eggs, pour the milk and egg mixture back into the saucepan, and return to the stove.
- Heat over medium low until the temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant read thermometer.
Step Five: Add Vanilla & Liquor (if desired)
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. For boozy eggnog add in alcohol and stir.
Step Six: Chill and Serve
- Strain the cooked eggnog mixture through a fine mesh strainer and store in the fridge in a seal container until chilled.
- When ready to serve, pour into your favorite mug, topped with a little whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
How Do I Store a Batch of Eggnog?
Eggnog consists of eggs and diary which means you will need to keep it stored in the fridge when not serving. For best results allow the eggnog mixture to cool down before transferring it to an airtight container like a large mason jar other jar with a tight-fitting lid.
How Long Does Eggnog Last?
Eggnog can be prepared a day or two in advance, but it does not have a very long shelf life. For a homemade, traditional eggnog recipe, you can store it the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I Freeze Eggnog?
Homemade eggnog can be frozen if the alcohol has not been added to it. To freeze nonalcoholic eggnog, allow the hot mixture to completely cool off. Transfer it to a freezer safe bag, squeezing out any excess air. Label the outside of the bag and place it on a flat surface of the freezer until solid.
To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. Never defrost eggnog at room temperature because it can cause the milk to separate and become sour.
How Do I Serve Eggnog?
You can serve it chilled right out of the fridge, or you can warm it up on the stove for a warm toddy a cold winter night. Serve with a dollop of whipped topping and an additional sprinkle of freshly ground nutmeg.
Tip: When reheating it, make sure the mixture doesn’t boil. The milk and sugar mixture can easily scald so just heat until warmed through.
Eggnog Variations and Add-In’s
- Dairy free: For a lighter, dairy free version you can substitute the heavy cream and milk for coconut milk, almond milk or any of your favorite dairy free options.
- Whipped topping: If you’re serving this as a warm beverage, you can add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream as an extra sweet topping.
- Spices: Instead of using fresh nutmeg, you can just use some pumpkin pie spice mix that you probably have on hand for other holiday baking.
- Rum Extract: If you want to flavor of rum but not the boozy kick, you can just use rum extract instead of actual rum.
What Alcohol Goes Best with Eggnog?
Classic eggnog is made using rum. You can use light rum, or a dark or spiced rum. You can also use bourbon, cognac or brandy.
Because you’re adding it to egg, milk and sugar, I always recommend skipping the expensive bottles at the liquor store. Just pick one that you have tried that has nice flavor but won’t break the bank.
Is Eggnog Safe to Drink?
The main reason people worry about the food safety of drinking eggnog is because some recipes use raw egg yolks, which runs the risk of salmonella. That why it is recommended you always make the cooked version, like this recipe. The egg mixture should be cooked until it reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures any foodborne illnesses from the eggs are killed off making it safe to drink.
What to Serve with Eggnog?
This eggnog fudge would go great with a glass of our homemade eggnog. Even better? Make the eggnog and use it in the eggnog fudge recipe!
We also love all kinds of Christmas cookies with a glass of eggnog. And, of course, Santa’s favorite drink is eggnog.
🎄 More Christmas Recipes
- Grinch Hot Chocolate
- Grinch Pretzel Bites
- Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
- Red Velvet Krispie Treats
- Red Velvet Fudge
- Pecan Pie Brownies
- Hidden Kiss Cookies
- Christmas Tree Meringues
- Christmas Crack
Homemade Egg Nog
Ingredients
- 6 egg yolks
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg plus extra for topping
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- 3 ounces spiced rum or bourbon optional
- whipped cream garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat milk, cream, nutmeg, and salt, in a medium saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to simmer.
- Remove from the heat, and add the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture by big spoonfuls, whisking well in between each addition. Be sure to add slowly, we want to temper the eggs.
- Once most of the milk mixture is added to the eggs, pour the milk and egg mixture back into the saucepan, and return to the stove.
- Heat over medium low until the temperature reaches 160 degrees fahrenheit.
- Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla, and alcohol, if desired.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, and pour into a sealable container to store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- When serving, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Nutrition
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