Light, creamy, and spiced with freshly grated nutmeg, eggnog is a beloved classic holiday beverage with a fascinating history! This non-alcoholic Homemade Eggnog is so, SO much better than store-bought eggnog that shows up in cartons around the holiday season.
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This recipe is alcohol-free, meaning that everyone can get in on the festive cheer! You can always add some alcohol into the mix if you desire, but this is the BEST homemade eggnog recipe without alcohol that I’ve ever made.
I’ve never been a fan of eggnog from the grocery store, as it tends to be sweeter, thicker, and richer than homemade eggnog, but to the point where it’s just too much. There also seems to be a bit of a chemical aftertaste, which is just not welcome. On the other hand, homemade eggnog is light and creamy, with a hint of nutmeg making it super festive and warming.
It’s so good that I am positive it will convert even the biggest eggnog doubter to a festive eggnog lover. My husband, who previously wouldn’t have touched the stuff, but now is the reason I make a double batch!
We love seasonal beverages around here. Some of our other holiday favorites are Slow Cooker Homemade Apple Cider, Homemade White Hot Chocolate, or Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix!
The History of Eggnog
Eggnog most likely started out as a drink called posset in England in the middle ages. It evolved over time but was essentially a combination of milk, eggs, and alcohol.
The ingredients for the historically traditional eggnog recipe were available to the poorer classes who had milk and eggs, and could generally get access to cheap rum. The drink was often used to make celebratory toasts to good health and prosperity on special occasions. When it reached the Americas in the 1700s it became associated with the Christmas holidays, and so the festive spiced drink tradition was born!
Eggnog, and its precursors, were invented long before refrigeration, likely as a means of preserving some of the milk and eggs that were plentiful during the summertime. This meant they could be consumed during the lean months of winter when milk and egg production slowed down and those ingredients were scarce. Alcohol was added as a powerful preservative and sterilizer, killing almost all the bacteria that will cause food to spoil.
It was also in America that rum became associated with eggnog, thanks to rum being a product of the Carribbean, and much less expensive in the colonies than other alcohol that would have been shipped from Europe. So people could make their own homemade version of eggnog using lots of fresh eggs, milk, and cream, add some alcohol, and then let it sit for months before drinking it!
By the Victorian period (1837-1901), eggnog had largely replaced punch in America as the drink of choice during the holidays. It was also one of the few alcoholic drinks that were considered socially acceptable for ladies to drink in public. This article from TIME has a brief history of eggnog, along with a famously heavy-on-the-alcohol eggnog recipe written by none other than George Washington that was included in the “Old Farmer’s Almanac”:
One quart cream, one quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one pint brandy, ½ pint rye whiskey, ½ pint Jamaica rum, ¼ pint sherry—mix liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.
Modern Approach to Traditional Eggnog
Firstly, I’m recommending that you heat the milk and cream, then use the mixture to temper the egg yolks. It’s not so much cooking the eggs as heating them just enough to kill bacteria to reduce the risk of salmonella, around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. You would in all likelihood be fine without heating the mixture. Yet, when I was recipe testing, I actually preferred the batches of eggnog where I had heated the eggs. I think the heat improved both the flavor and the texture, so it’s worth taking the extra minute or so to do this.
Secondly, I recommend adding a little rum extract to the eggnog, as this recipe doesn’t actually contain rum. I feel like the rum extract gives this eggnog that little extra somethin’ somethin’ without adding any booze. You basically get the classic eggnog flavor without the alcohol!
My third tip is to use freshly grated nutmeg. Having tried batches with both regular ground nutmeg and whole nutmeg that I grated, the freshly grated nutmeg makes such a difference! You can find whole nutmeg in the spice aisle next to all the regular spices.
Lastly, while you are probably going to want to drink the eggnog right away, if you can wait and let it sit in the fridge overnight, it will help to develop the flavor and texture and taste even better somehow. Historically, eggnog was aged for weeks or even months before consumption. So, letting your eggnog have a bit of time (up to 1 week) for the flavors to meld together will just add to its authenticity. If you don’t have the time to wait, then it will still taste delicious on the day you make it.
Final Notes on Making Delicious Homemade Eggnog
If you really want an authentic eggnog-making experience, go ahead and skip the cooking and tempering process and just beat the egg yolks and sugar together before adding the remaining ingredients. I made a couple of batches this way and it does taste very good, but I did ultimately prefer the cooked version. However, if you are worried about raw eggs, you could look for pasteurized eggs, which the USDA says are safe for consumption without cooking.
Additionally, you can beat the otherwise unused egg whites into a froth and fold them into the mixed eggnog as a final step. Alternatively, you can use the egg whites to make this Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy to enjoy with your eggnog, or to give as gifts to friends and family for the holidays!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Egg Yolks – You need a dozen for this recipe. Find out what you can do with the discarded egg whites here!
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar is best.
- Milk – 2% milk is good, but you can use whatever milk you have on hand.
- Cream – Use heavy cream for the creamiest texture and flavor.
- Nutmeg – Use freshly grated nutmeg instead of pre-ground nutmeg if you can, it has the best flavor of the two.
- Salt – To bring out all the flavors nicely.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds a subtle warmth to the drink.
- Rum Extract – Gives the traditional
How To Make Homemade Eggnog
Mix egg yolks and sugar. Whisk egg yolks together with the sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy and a light color.
Combine milk, cream, nutmeg, and salt. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg and salt and heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer, with bubbles forming around the edges, but do not bring to a boil.
Combine the two mixes. Slowly whisk ½ cup of the hot liquid into the eggs and sugar to temper the eggs. Repeat this process until about ⅓ of the hot liquid has been mixed into the eggs.
Put new mix back in the pan. Add the tempered egg yolk liquid back into the pan with the remaining milk and cream and heat until it reaches 160 degrees F or just starts to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
Add vanilla and rum extracts. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and rum extracts.
Put in a bowl and refrigerate before serving. Transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap, then chill completely in the fridge until ready to serve. Best served the next day once the eggnog has had time to age slightly.
Recipe FAQ’s
A traditional eggnog recipe contains eggs, egg yolk, milk, sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and liquor of either sherry, rum, or brandy, or a mixture of these. It is then topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon.
Try half and half, whole milk, coconut milk, or almond milk as a substitute for the heavy cream in eggnog, but bear in mind that the result won’t be as creamy or thick as with the original ingredients.
If your own eggnog is too thin you can thicken it by folding a little whipped cream into it. Simply whip about 1 cup of heavy cream and fold it into the eggnog mixture before serving.
This recipe will stay good for up to 7 days when correctly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This means you can make this recipe up to a week in advance if you want to enjoy it on Christmas Day, meaning you have more time with the family!
No one is quite sure exactly how it got the name eggnog. Some say it was named for the small cups or wooden mugs, called noggins, that were used for posset and similar beverages. Others think eggnog was named after the practice in colonial America of referring to thick drinks as grogs. This particular beverage came to be called egg-and-grog and eventually, shortened to eggnog.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick to the hot milk mixture for added festive spice.
- Infuse the milk with cloves (and nutmeg or cinnamon) before heating it up.
- For a classic fall flavor, add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix to the milk.
- Top your eggnog with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra special finish.
- For boozy eggnog: If you want to add alcohol, the most popular types in eggnog are brandy, bourbon, rum or whisky. For this recipe quantity, start with ¼ cup for the entire batch and add more depending on how strong you want it.
More Holiday Recipes
- Homemade White Hot Chocolate
- European-Style Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate-Dipped Almond Biscotti
- Apple Cider Wassail
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe (Non-Alcoholic)
Ingredients
- 12 egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk egg yolks together with the sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy and a light color.
- In a large saucepan, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg and salt and heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer, with bubbles forming around the edges, but do not bring to a boil.
- Slowly whisk ½ cup of the hot liquid into the eggs and sugar to temper the eggs. Repeat until about ⅓ of the hot liquid has been mixed into the eggs.
- Add the tempered egg yolk liquid back into the pan with the remaining milk and cream and heat until it reaches 160°F or just starts to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and rum extract.
- Transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap, then chill completely in the fridge until ready to serve. Best served the next day once the eggnog has had time to age slightly.
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes about 8 cups, you can easily double the batch if you need more.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container, or covered tightly in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Make-Ahead: As this recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for one week it’s an ideal beverage to make days ahead of the big day.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in November, 2017. The content was updated in October, 2022.
Amy, I’ve been making eggnog for many years and have always cooked the egg yolk mixture. Like you, I think it gives the eggnog a superior texture and flavor as well as giving peace of mind. If you have no objection to alcohol, just 3 tablespoons of brandy (or rum) would flavor this batch of eggnog nicely. I’ve never understood using huge quantities of alcohol in eggnog. I add just enough for flavoring.
Thanks, Jean! Yes, cooking it really does improve texture and flavor I think! We don’t drink alcohol at all at our house which is why I use the rum extract but I really appreciate your comment because I’m sure other readers will find it helpful!
In me great-great grandmudders day, rum was added as a good excuse to drink rum. No one was trying to kill any bacteria…..farm raised, free range, backyard chicken eggs have a natural protective coating that is nowadays, washed off in their processing. That’s why our foremothers had wire baskets of eggs sitting around refrigerated. Nobody got e-coli.
Ooh this looks heavenly. I haven’t had eggnog in many years, since leaving Canada for the UK. Why oh why doesn’t it exist here?? I’ll have to make my own – thanks for the recipe!
Gorgeous! We always make a spiked eggnog on Christmas Eve – but using homemade nog would be so much better!
I learnt so much about eggnog today!!! And my my your photos are gorgeous! <3 <3 You may have converted this eggnog hater. Will definitely give this a try.
Mmmmm. How delicious! I love eggnog and I could drink it by the bucket around the holidays. I like it with or without booze, though boozy eggnog is perfect on Christmas!! 😉 Your recipe looks yummy and I can’t wait to make it on the holidays!
I’ve never made my own eggnog, but I think I need to give it a go — and that Farmer’s Almanac recipe sounds like THE BOMB!
Can you use ground nutmeg if you can’t find fresh nutmeg? If so, how much ground nutmeg would you recommend? Thank you.
Absolutely! But since freshly grated nutmeg is more potent that ground nutmeg, the nutmeg flavor probably won’t come through with ground nutmeg as much unless you increase the amount to more like 4 1/2 teaspoons instead of the 3 teaspoons of the freshly grated variety.
What a great post. I am one of the bah-hum bugs when it comes to eggnog… but I’m sure I can make an exception for your recipe… just maybe.
Also, brilliant idea adding rum extract!
Thanks, Marlee!
Amy,
First off, you have inspired me to make my own eggnog this year, and secondly, I am loving the Historical recipe series!! I know I will love reading my way through those old recipes turned new! Thanks for the eggnog recipe!
Yay! I’m glad I could inspire you to make eggnog at home this year and that you like the Historical recipe series! It’s such a fun one!
This was by far the best homemade eggnog that I’ve made. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! It will be my go-to recipe for eggnog from now on.
Amy – It’s delicious!!! I have it sitting on my counter top cooling so I can put it in the fridge. I don’t have rum extract, so I used a tsp of rum to add just a hint of flavor and it made such a big difference without overloading it with a lot of alcohol. I may have sampled it 5 or 6 times 😊 Tonight I get a warm mug of this on the couch and tomorrow I’m adding it to my egg nor creme brulee, where I’ll be linking back to your recipe. Thank you for sharing – it’s one of the best non-aged, non-alcoholic egg nogs I’ve ever tasted and just what I need this year.
This sounds amazing! My father-in-law is a teetotaler, but he LOVES eggnog. Aged eggnog is most definitely not an option for him, so this sounds perfect! I can’t wait to try it. How long do you think it will keep in the fridge? Thanks!
This should keep for about 4-5 days in the fridge!
Wow! This was way better than store bought eggnog! I would consider this pretty easy to make and will be making it for family gatherings from here on out! I had to try it right away and it was amazing. I can’t wait to try it tomorrow once it has a chance for the flavors meld together.
I’m so glad you loved it! We feel the same way about it. The only problem is that it forever spoils you towards store-bought eggnog!
Tried it! I’ve always loved egg nog. But this year, my sneaky five-year-old has eliminated any store-bought egg nog before it’s intended occasion. So I looked up this recipe and bought the ingredients instead—he won’t sneak into the fridge and down straight cream. So, problem solved! But now I have a new problem: I don’t think I’ll ever be able to settle for store-bought eggnog again. That recipe was delicious! (And you’re telling me it’s going to be even better tomorrow? Huzzah!) Merry Christmas!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this so much!
What percentage of cream do you recommend? I have heavy cream in the fridge (18%) and I also have 5% that I use for my coffee
Use the heavy cream, not the coffee cream for a richer taste!
What is the serving size for the nutritional info? Thanks.
Each serving is 1 cup.