Classic American Homemade Eggnog Recipe is something you NEED for the Holiday season. Whether you are making Orange Spiced Eggnog Muffins or eggnog Cinnamon rolls, or any other Christmas dessert like this Eggnog Cheesecake Bites (NO-BAKE), Eggnog is something that adds a holiday punch to that.
Winter is just around the corner, meaning it’s eggnog season! Yes, we know it’s the Christmas season, but can you imagine Christmas without eggnog? No, right?
While many great eggnog brands are available at the market, nothing beats the homemade one.
But if only making eggnog was so easy!
Many people get grossed out that eggnog uses raw eggs, but our eggnog recipe is different.
Our eggnog recipe does not use raw eggs, making it safe for you and your family.
This Homemade Eggnog is sweet and creamy and will take you just fifteen minutes to make.
Jump to:
- What is Eggnog?
- What's the ingredients of Eggnog?
- History of Eggnog?
- What are the ingredients to make eggnog?
- How to make Traditional Eggnog?
- Can I make vegan Eggnog?
- How to make Keto Eggnog?
- How long does eggnog last in the fridge?
- Can you freeze Eggnog?
- What spice is most often used in eggnog?
- How is Eggnog best served?
- How to store eggnog?
- Top Tips To Make the Best Eggnog at home
- How to Make Classic Eggnog Recipe
What is Eggnog?
Eggnogs have a very old history to them.
We can trace their origins to the middle ages when the rich and elite used to toast to eggnog for their excellent health and prosperity, just like we do now!
What's the ingredients of Eggnog?
Eggnog is a classic Christmas recipe with Egg Yolks, Granulated Sugar, Milk, Heavy cream, and spices like Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Kosher Salt. Many people spike it with beverages of choice.
History of Eggnog?
Anyway, getting back to history, eggnog came to America during the 18th century.
Americans used to spike it with whiskey and rum, and the drink became so American that even George Washington served it to his guests!
Eventually, along the way, eggnog came to be recognized to be so traditional to Christmas.
What are the ingredients to make eggnog?
We’ll make classic eggnog, which means the ingredient list has familiar ingredients like ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
You should not have difficulty finding the following ingredients at your local grocery stores.
Although, when it comes to getting eggs, make sure you get pasteurized eggs, as they are the safest and will save you from any risk of getting salmonella.
- Eggs
- Granulated Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Whole Milk
- Ground Nutmeg
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Cloves
- Kosher Salt
Classic Eggnog
- Everything as above
- Light rum or Bourbon
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make Traditional Eggnog?
Many recipes call for using raw eggs, but that’s not the case with this recipe. We will instead temper the eggs to make this eggnog.
This recipe is perfect for those who struggle with making eggnog with raw eggs or those who don’t like raw eggs.
It’ll also don't take longer than thirty minutes to make this homemade eggnog recipe, making it a perfect quick drink for your cold nights!
Step 1: The first step is to crack open your eggs and separate the yolks of their eggs from the whites. Keep the egg whites aside, you won’t need them for making the eggnog. Meanwhile, put all the egg yolks in a medium-sized bowl.
STEP 2: Combine Granulated Sugar with Egg yolks. Use a whisk to beat them together until the egg yolks and sugar form a creamy mixture that is light and not too heavy.
Set this egg yolks and sugar mixture aside and pull out a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
Add cream and milk to the saucepan and stir it for a few minutes. Then go ahead and add ground nutmeg and kosher salt. Start whisking the mixture again and keep doing it until you reach a simmering point.
STEP 3: Now, it’s time to temper the egg yolks. This will ensure your eggs get cooked but at the same time maintain that same consistency and not get curdled.
STEP 4: To temper the eggs, add one big spoonful of your hot milk mixture and then whisk it thoroughly. Then again, add one more spoonful of hot milk and whisk again. Keep repeating this process until all the milk is combined with the egg yolks.
STEP 5: Now put this combined mixture back into the saucepan over medium heat, and start whisking it again until it thickens just a little bit. Make sure you keep the heat low.
You can stop after the temperature reaches around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Once that’s done, remove the saucepan from the stove and turn off the heat. Add the vanilla extract now and mix it as well.
STEP 6: Your eggnog is now mostly ready! Just pour it into a container and seal it with plastic wrap. Then let your eggnog chill in the refrigerator to thicken up more. 8.
STEP 7: Your eggnog is now completely ready! Just serve it with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dollop of heavy cream. You can also go ahead and spike your eggnog with your preferred beverage!
Can I make vegan Eggnog?
Even if the name eggnog has ‘egg’ in it, that does not mean you can’t make it vegan.
All you need to do to make Vegan Eggnog is to replace regular milk with dairy-free milk and eggs with thick coconut cream.
For the topping, you can replace heavy cream with vegan whipped cream or coconut cream.
And that’s it, you are good to go with making vegan Eggnog!
How to make Keto Eggnog?
To make Keto Eggnog, I use Almond milk and Vanilla Protein Powder and zero calorie sweetener as a replacement for Whole Milk, Heavy Cream, and Granulated Sugar, respectively. Almond Milk Eggnog is so easy to make and just the best healthy Eggnog recipe you could ever ask for.
Almond Milk Eggnog is your perfect Lactose free Eggnog which you will absolutely LOVE!
How long does eggnog last in the fridge?
Homemade Eggnog can last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator if stored in a cool temp in the refrigerator.
Store Bought Eggnog can be refrigerated for about 5-6 days after opening
Canned Eggnog, if not opened, can be stored for 4-5 months if refrigerated. If opened, canned eggnog can be refrigerated for 5-6 days.
Can you freeze Eggnog?
YES! You can store Eggnog in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 6 months. The only thing is to keep a little room at the top of the bottle to allow it to expand when it freezes! Both store-bought and homemade Eggnog can be frozen.
What spice is most often used in eggnog?
Ground Spices like Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg is most commonly used to spice Eggnog. Also, Orange Juice is sometimes added to give it a tropical taste. And Orange Spiced Eggnog tastes so good. Try my Orange Spiced Eggnog Muffins
How is Eggnog best served?
Generally Eggnog is served chilled and plain for a classic Christmas treat. You can garnish with a little ground Nutmeg, some fresh Orange Zest, Orange Peel, and candied Cranberries on top for a perfect holiday treat!
How to store eggnog?
Eggnog does not have a very long shelf-life, especially homemade ones, since they don’t have any preservatives inside them. Even then, you can preserve homemade eggnog for up to three days easily.
Refrigerate: Store it in an air-tight bottle or container inside the refrigerator. Please don’t keep it at the refrigerator door as the temperature fluctuates.
You must keep your eggnog constantly chilled to preserve it for the maximum duration.
Top Tips To Make the Best Eggnog at home
If you think that your eggnog has come out as too thick, then add a little milk to it and then blend it in a blender to get the desired consistency.
If you want to make very fragrant Eggnog then ground your own nutmeg and cinnamon at home. Freshly ground spices are much more fragrant than bottled ones.
Don’t use fat-free milk to make eggnog. Good eggnog has to be creamy and thick. But if you want to make healthier eggnog, you can consider using coconut milk instead.
How to Make Classic Eggnog Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 6 large Egg Yolks
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamom
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1 pinch Kosher Salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Separate the Egg Whites and Egg Yolks. Add the Egg Yolks in a medium sized mixing bowl, add sugar to it and whisk until combined through.
- Heat a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the Milk, Heavy Cream, Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves and Kosher Salt. Whisk until combined. ALlow the mixture to some to a bare simmer. Remove from heat.
- Temper the Eggs. Add in a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture and whisk until combined. Repeat this process, until you have used up all the milk and mixed it with the egg mixture.
- Now, add this egg and milk mixture in the saucepan and put it back to the heat.
- Whisk contanstly until the mixture thickens a bit. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until combined. (at this point you can add l1/4 cup of iquor of your choice) Use a thermometer to check the temp of the mixture. (it should be about 160F). Once it reaches the temp, remove from the heat. (The mixture will thicken, as it cols down)
- Use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the mixture into a pitcher or any container with a plastic lid.
- Refrigerate the mixture until it chills. The eggnog will thicken as it chills. If you want it thinner, blend it with 1/4 cup of milk before serving
- Serve it chilled with some ground Nutmeg sprinkled on top.
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