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Homemade Eggnog

Nov 30, 2023 · 3 Comments

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Collage with homemade eggnog topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, the same eggnog from the side on bottom, and the words "homemade eggnog" in the center.

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!

An overhead view of a glass mug of homemade eggnog topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on a rustic wood background next to a linen napkin.

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.

A glass mug of homemade eggnog topped with whipped cream on a rustic wood background with Christmas greenery and another mug of eggnog behind.

How to Make Homemade Eggnog into a Cocktail

There are plenty of elegant, beautiful, and delicious eggnog cocktails 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 cocktail, 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

An overhead view of a glass mug of homemade eggnog topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on a rustic wood background next to a linen napkin.

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
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs divided into yolks and whites
  • ⅓ 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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Christmas, Drinks, For The Home, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Special Days Christmas Recipe, Eggnog Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lizette says

    December 15, 2015 at 5:11 am

    i love your recepies

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      December 15, 2015 at 7:00 am

      Thank you so much! 🙂 I'm so happy you enjoy them!

      Reply
  2. Andrea Metlika says

    December 01, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    What a great and easy recipe. Eggnog is one of my favorites and I've always wanted to make it myself. I can't wait to try this.

    Reply

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