The Coziest Homemade Eggnog Recipe for Joyful Holiday Sipping

Creamy, festive homemade eggnog captures the warmth of holiday traditions with its rich, velvety texture.

Cold winter nights feel magical when this classic drink fills your mug.

Whisking eggs, cream, and spices creates a luscious beverage that sparkles with nostalgia.

Nutmeg and vanilla dance together, promising pure comfort in every sip.

Families have cherished this recipe for generations, passing down secret techniques.

Mixing ingredients becomes an intimate celebration of seasonal joy.

You can craft this delightful drink that connects generations and spreads cheer effortlessly.

Why Homemade Eggnog Feels Like A Hug

• Craft Holiday Comfort: Create a nostalgic, warm beverage that captures the essence of festive celebrations with rich, creamy flavors.
• Master Culinary Technique: Learn professional tempering skills that transform simple ingredients into a luxurious, silky drink while preventing egg scrambling.
• Customize Your Indulgence: Personalize the eggnog by adjusting alcohol levels or experimenting with different spices like cinnamon or rum for a unique twist.
• Simple Seasonal Showstopper: Impress guests with a homemade classic that looks and tastes sophisticated but requires minimal cooking expertise.

Everything That Goes Into Homemade Eggnog

• Milk: Provides the creamy foundation and helps create the smooth texture of the eggnog.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, creates a luxurious custard-like base, and helps thicken the mixture.
• Heavy Cream: Brings additional richness and creates a velvety, indulgent mouthfeel.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the richness of the dairy ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• Nutmeg, Salt: Adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall taste profile of the eggnog.
• Alcohol (Optional): Provides an optional warming and traditional flavor to the drink.

• Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cinnamon, Whipped Cream: Offers additional flavor and visual appeal when serving.

Easy Steps To Make Homemade Eggnog

Step 1: Blend Egg Yolks and Sugar

Grab a medium bowl and vigorously beat egg yolks with sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, silky texture with sugar completely dissolved.

Step 2: Warm the Milk Mixture

• Milk
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Heat the mixture over medium to medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.

Remove from heat once the milk starts to bubble.

Step 3: Temper the Egg Yolks

Carefully add one cup of hot milk to the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from scrambling.

This technique ensures a smooth, creamy base.

Step 4: Combine Milk and Egg Mixture

Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with remaining hot milk, stirring constantly to maintain a consistent texture.

Step 5: Cook to Perfect Consistency

Return the saucepan to medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture slightly thickens and reaches 160°F.

Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.

Step 6: Cool Down the Base

Transfer the mixture to a large glass or metal bowl.

Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow it to cool completely.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

• Cream
• Vanilla extract
• Alcohol (optional)

Refrigerate for additional two hours until thoroughly chilled.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Add a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

Cheers!

Tips That Make Homemade Eggnog Better

• Temper eggs carefully by slowly adding hot milk to prevent scrambling, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture.
• Use a reliable instant-read thermometer to accurately reach 160°F, which safely cooks the eggs without curdling.
• Experiment with different spirits like bourbon, rum, or brandy to customize the flavor profile of your eggnog.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly for the best taste and texture, allowing flavors to meld and develop depth.
• For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

Creative Twists For Homemade Eggnog

• Vegan Coconut Eggnog: Replace dairy milk with coconut milk, use aquafaba instead of egg yolks, and sweeten with maple syrup for a plant-based version.
• Spiced Chai Eggnog: Infuse the milk with chai tea bags and add cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon for a warm, aromatic twist.
• Chocolate Rum Eggnog: Stir in melted dark chocolate and replace regular alcohol with dark rum for a rich, decadent holiday treat.
• Mexican-Style Eggnog: Add ground cinnamon, a splash of tequila, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy, authentic southwestern flavor profile.

Tasty Pairings For Homemade Eggnog

• Pair with Warm Spiced Cookies: Serve homemade eggnog alongside soft ginger or cinnamon cookies that complement the creamy, nutmeg-rich flavor profile.
• Match with Classic Bourbon: Add a smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark to enhance the eggnog's richness and create a traditional holiday cocktail experience.
• Combine with Festive Chocolate Truffles: Select dark chocolate truffles with subtle nutmeg or cinnamon notes to harmonize with the eggnog's smooth, velvety texture.
• Enjoy with Roasted Chestnuts: Serve warm, salted roasted chestnuts as a delightful savory counterpoint to the sweet, creamy eggnog.

How To Store Homemade Eggnog Properly

• Refrigeration: Store homemade eggnog in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping it consistently cold to maintain quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Pour eggnog into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Gently warm eggnog in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent separation and maintain smooth texture; avoid boiling to preserve creamy consistency.
• Separation Prevention: Whisk thoroughly before serving chilled or reheated eggnog to recombine any settled ingredients and restore its original rich, creamy texture.

Questions About Homemade Eggnog

• Why do I need to temper the eggs?

Tempering prevents the eggs from scrambling when added to hot milk, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture without lumps.

• Can I make this recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! Simply skip the alcohol or replace it with vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version that’s kid-friendly.

• Is it safe to consume raw eggs in this recipe?

The heating process brings the mixture to 160°F, which kills potential bacteria, making the eggnog safe to drink.

• How long can I keep homemade eggnog in the refrigerator?

Homemade eggnog stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Homemade Eggnog Recipe

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• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy “Homemade Eggnog” whisks classic holiday cheer into a luxurious drink that warms winter celebrations. Sweet nutmeg and rich custard blend perfectly, offering festive comfort you’ll savor sip by delightful sip.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy:

• 3 cups (710 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Eggs and Sweeteners:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup (66 grams) sugar

Spices and Flavorings:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
• Spiced rum or bourbon (optional)

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Instructions

1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until the mixture becomes pale and sugar fully dissolves, creating a smooth, light-colored base.
2. Combine milk, nutmeg, and salt in a large saucepan, heating over medium-high until milk approaches a gentle boil, stirring consistently to prevent scorching.
3. Carefully introduce hot milk into egg mixture by slowly pouring and whisking, ensuring gradual temperature equalization without curdling the eggs.
4. Transfer tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, stirring continuously to maintain a uniform consistency.
5. Cook on medium heat, monitoring closely until the liquid thickens slightly and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, avoiding any boiling.
6. Transfer the custard-like mixture to a clean glass or metal bowl, allowing it to cool to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
7. Incorporate cream, vanilla extract, and optional alcohol, mixing thoroughly to create a rich, smooth texture.
8. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours, enabling the eggnog to develop a deep, harmonious flavor profile.
9. Before serving, give the eggnog a gentle stir and garnish with a delicate sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cinnamon, with an optional dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

• Temper eggs carefully by slowly adding hot milk to prevent scrambling, which maintains a smooth, creamy texture.
• Use fresh, high-quality eggs from trusted sources to ensure food safety when preparing this traditional holiday beverage.
• Alcohol is optional, so adjust the recipe for non-alcoholic versions by simply omitting or replacing with vanilla extract for family-friendly enjoyment.
• Achieve the perfect thickness by monitoring temperature closely and removing from heat at 160°F to prevent curdling and maintain a silky consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Cocktails, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg