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This homemade eggnog recipe is easy to make, and you need just 8 ingredients. This spiked eggnog can be easily adapted to a kid-friendly version for your whole family.
Learn how to make your own perfect eggnog. You can even make eggnog truffles with it!
Have you ever asked yourself what is eggnog? Basically, it's a punch that's historically made around the holidays with eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices. It's also very well known as a drink you can add alcohol to for parties or events.
So, how does eggnog taste like? Many people would say that it tastes similar to melted ice cream. It's creamy, and you can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and even pumpkin pie spice to give it more flavors. It's a thick, creamy drink and has a unique flavor that's sweet and delicious.
Jump to:
- Video Tutorial
- What Is Eggnog?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
- How to Make Eggnog
- Storage and Freezing Instructions
- Expert Tips for Success
- Homemade Eggnog Recipe FAQs
- More Festive Recipes
- Recipe
Video Tutorial
What Is Eggnog?
Have you ever asked yourself what is eggnog? Basically, it's a punch that's historically made around the holidays with eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices. It's also very well known as a drink you can add alcohol to for parties or events.
So, what does eggnog taste like? Many people would say that it tastes similar to melted ice cream.
It's creamy, and you can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and even pumpkin pie spice to give it more flavors. It's a thick, creamy drink and has a unique flavor that's sweet and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It spreads holiday cheer. Eggnog is the ultimate drink for this holiday season. Nothing spells “season to be jolly” better than a glass of smooth, velvety cream and spices.
- It’s for everyone. While most eggnog recipes are spiked with alcohol, I had formulated this recipe with a kid-friendly version as well. This way, everyone will get to enjoy this dessert drink.
- It can be used for other recipes. The holiday adventure doesn’t stop here. As I’ve mentioned in the introduction, this punch can also be used to make other recipes like eggnog truffles.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
Egg Yolks
Use fresh raw egg yolks. You don't need pasteurized ones because you are going to cook the egg yolks when making this recipe.
Don't discard the egg whites. You can make angel food cake or meringue from them to add on top of lemon tart, chocolate cream pie, banana cream pie, or s'mores cake.
Rum
I prefer to use dark rum for this spiked eggnog recipe. However, you can substitute the rum for other kinds of alcohol if you want to.
You could also use brandy, red wine, or bourbon. Try several options to see what you like best.Explore a suitable substitute for brandy for added flexibility.
You can also skip the rum entirely. Simply make the recipe as directed, but leave out the rum. Sometimes I make 2 batches, one for the adults and one for the kids.
Spices
Other notable ingredients of this recipe, are of course, the spices. It gives eggnog its unique, iconic taste. For this dessert concoction, we are going to use vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Please refer to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Eggnog
Learn how to prepare your own eggnog with these simple instructions!
1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar.
With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment whisk the egg yolks and sugar until creamy and pale for about 2-3 minutes and set aside.
2. Prepare your milk and cinnamon.
Heat the milk and cinnamon in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil and stir continuously.
3. Temper the eggs.
Turn the heat down to low. Add about a ¼ cup of the hot milk to the egg yolks and whisk until combined. Pour the tempered egg yolks into the hot milk.
4. Make the mixture thicker.
Cook for about 5 minutes over low heat until the mixture gets thicker. Stir consistently. Do not boil at any time.
5. Add more flavor.
Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and nutmeg. Then let the mixture cool to room temperature and stir occasionally.
6. Add cream and rum.
Mix the heavy cream with an electric mixer with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
Add cream and rum to the cooled milk mixture and stir with a whisk to combine.
7. Chill.
Chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours but preferably overnight.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
I recommend storing the eggnog in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You could use a glass jar with a lid or any other container that you have on hand.
You also can freeze it. To do so, just pour the eggnog into a freezer-safe container or plastic bag (ensure it is perfectly sealed and there are no holes in) and freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. Once it's thawed, give it a stir or two and serve.
Expert Tips for Success
- Temper the yolks. Tempering the egg yolks before adding them to the hot milk prevents them from warming up too fast and ensures that your eggnog stays smooth and lump-free.
- Don’t stop stirring. Stir your milky mixture constantly and don't allow it to boil, especially once the egg yolks are already added. You will likely end up with scrambled eggs if you let your mixture boil.
- Make it ahead of time. Making it ahead and letting it chill in the fridge overnight gives your eggnog time to develop the best possible flavor and consistency.
Homemade Eggnog Recipe FAQs
Can you use less sugar in the recipe?
While this recipe isn’t overly sweet already, you can certainly still use less sugar. That said, I still highly recommend using ½ cup of sugar at the very least.
Don’t worry, using less sugar in the recipe won’t affect your eggnog’s consistency.
Can you serve eggnog as a hot drink?
No, eggnog should not be reheated. It is best served cold.
What liquor is best for making eggnog?
I have used dark rum for this recipe. That said, there are other traditional options available such as brandy and bourbon.
More Festive Recipes
If you need more holiday recipe inspiration, you've come to the right place. The following recipes will bring the Christmas spirit to your home!
- Linzer Cookies
- Chocolate Truffles
- Christmas Cookies
- Eggnog Gingerbread Tiramisu
- Biscotti
Recipe
Best Eggnog Recipe
5 from 14 votes
Author Sabine
Calories: 243kcal
Servings: 12 servings
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cook 10 minutes minutes
Chill 3 hours hours
Total 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Print Pin Rate
This homemade eggnog recipe is easy to make and you need just 8 ingredients. This spiked eggnog can be easily adapted to a kid-friendly version for your whole family.
Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks
- ⅝ cup granulated white sugar
- 4 cups milk
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or the seeds of 2 vanilla pods)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup dark rum
Instructions
With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment whisk the egg yolks and sugar until creamy and pale for about 2-3 minutes and set aside.
Heat the milk and cinnamon in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil and stir continuously.
Turn the heat down to low. Add about a ¼ cup of the hot milk to the egg yolks and whisk until combined. Pour the tempered egg yolks into the hot milk.
Cook for about 5 minutes over low heat until the mixture gets thicker. Stir consistently. Do not boil at any time.
Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and nutmeg. Then let cool to room temperature and stir occasionally.
Mix the heavy cream with an electric mixer with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add cream and rum to the cooled milk mixture and stir with a whisk to combine. Chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours but preferably overnight. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
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Nutrition
Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 51mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 692IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 1mg
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
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