Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2024)

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Why buy eggnog when you can make homemade eggnog in under 5 minutes? This easy Amish recipeis versatile…sweeten and season to your liking. {And there’s a cooked eggnog option, too!}

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (1)

Homemade Eggnog Recipe

As I was planning my editorial calendar for the holiday season, I knew homemade eggnog had to be top on the to-make list. It’s one of Matt’s favorite holiday traditions, yet I had never made it for him because, well….it wasn’t one of my holiday traditions. He grew up enjoying glasses of eggnog alongside snickerdoodle cookies and this was a memory I wanted to bring back for him.

I flipped open my tattered, well-loved cookbook, looked up how to make eggnog and found an old traditional eggnog recipe. 7 eggnog ingredients that I already had in my refrigerator and pantry? No problem. I whipped it up in under 5 minutes, poured a glass for Matt {the official taste tester}. He thought it was amazingly delicious and fell in love with me all over again with just one taste.

End of sweet story, right?

Nope.

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2)

How to Make Eggnog Safely

I was originally working on this story about 2 weeks ago and while typing, thought…maybe I should check and see how people deal with the raw eggs in eggnog? I mean, I eat raw eggs in cookie dough all.the.time {don’t send hate mail, please}. But I want to share recipes that are safe for you.

After a quick look at FoodSafety.gov, I knew I needed to rethink the completely raw eggs going in this special, creamy drink.

I’ve studied and tested recipes for the past week and have three options for you.

  1. Make the easy eggnog recipe with regular raw eggs. This is NOT recommended by FoodSafety.gov because of the risk of salmonella. That risk is relatively small, but is still there.
  2. Make the eggnog recipe with pasteurized eggs. Although this heating process kills any salmonella that might be present, the FDA and USDA still recommend cooking your eggnog. Sigh.
  3. Which brings us to the cooked eggnog recipe option. The homemade eggnog is totally safe for you to drink when it is cooked.

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (3)

I know that there will be some of you who say “Heck with it…I’m making it with raw eggs.” And I know there are some of you who will shout from the rooftops that you should NOT be drinking homemade eggnog that has not been cooked.

So I’ll share with you a quick 5-minute version that you can make using raw, pasteurized eggs….and then I’ll tell you how to make cooked homemade eggnog for the ultimate in food safety. Either way, this is the best

For the Quick Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe:

Crack the pasteurized eggs into a bowl and whip them with a hand mixer until they are frothy on top and lemon in color. Only about 1-2 minutes. Add the sugar, nutmeg, lemon juice, salt, milk and cream. Beat it again for another 1-2 minutes. And you’re done. Pour yourself a tall glass of this cold eggnog and enjoy every sip.

For a Cooked Eggnog Recipe:

This recipe takes just a little more time but has only 6 ingredients. Do not add the lemon juice to the cooked eggnog. Trust me. It will curdle. Don’t ask me how I know.

Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it is about 115-120 degrees F. In another bowl, use a hand mixer to beattogether the eggs for 1-2 minutes or until they are lemon in color. Scoop ¾ cup of the heated milk and pour it slowly into the eggs, whisking constantly. This is called “tempering” the eggs. Now pour the egg/milk mixture slowly into the heated milk, whisking constantly. Add the sugar, nutmeg and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F. This is a safe temperature for the eggs. The last step is chilling the eggnog. The cooked version will thicken as it cools, so I recommend drinking the eggnog sooner rather than later. If the cooked eggnog thickens too much, you can add milk (plus a bit more sugar and nutmeg) to get it to the consistency you like.

And that my friends….is all I have learned about eggnog in the past few weeks. It was more of a lesson than I thought I would learn.

But the recipe itself? Matt said it reminds him of his Grandma and that is a priceless reaction for me.

Be sure to read all of the notes to make this eggnog exactly how you like it!
If you love eggnog, try Eggnog Cream Cake!

Can you bake with eggnog?

Yes! Homemade eggnog might have a little bit of a different thickness than store bought milk or store bought eggnog, so a recipe might need a little tweaking. But in general, you can often replace milk with eggnog in baked goods. We’ve also found you can reduce the sugar slightly since eggnog is already sweetened.

What can you make with leftover eggnog?

Try making cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, bread, pancakes, muffins or even coffee cake or pumpkin pie. The possibilities are endless!

Homemade Eggnog

4.98 from 35 votes

Why buy eggnog when you can make homemade eggnog in under 5 minutes? This easy Amish recipe is versatile. Sweeten and season to your liking.

Servings 6 servings

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 4 large pasteurized eggs
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs until they are thick and lemon colored.

  • Whisk in the sugar, nutmeg, lemon juice and salt.

  • Add the milk and cream.

  • Beat with a hand mixer for 1-2 minutes or until the eggnog is frothy.

  • Serve with ice. Makes 6 large glasses.

Video

Notes

  • Adjust the sugar to your liking. Add more or less.
  • You can also add a bit more nutmeg or even cinnamon if you'd like.
  • Want your eggnog creamier? Use more cream and less milk.
  • For a cooked eggnog, follow these instructions {the only ingredient you will not use is the lemon juice}:Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it is about 115-120 degrees F. In another bowl, use a hand mixer to beattogether the eggs for 1-2 minutes or until they are lemon in color. Scoop ¾ cup of the heated milk and pour it slowly into the eggs, whisking constantly. This is called "tempering" the eggs. Now pour the egg/milk mixture slowly into the heated milk, whisking constantly. Add the sugar, nutmeg and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F. This is a safe temperature for the eggs. The last step is chilling the eggnog. The cooked version will thicken as it cools, so I recommend drinking the eggnog sooner rather than later. If the cooked eggnog thickens too much, you can add milk (plus a bit more sugar and nutmeg) to get it to the consistency you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 291mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Calories 240

Keyword christmas morning, cooked eggnog, easy eggnog recipe, how to make eggnog

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (6)

Homemade Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in eggnog? ›

A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy.

What is the best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

Choose The Right Spirit

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

How to thicken homemade eggnog? ›

For extra thickness, whip up 1 cup of heavy cream and fold into the eggnog before serving. Even richer eggnog: Feel free to play with the proportions of whole milk to cream, keeping 3 cups total dairy. Heavy cream will make your eggnog thicker and creamier.

What makes eggnog taste better? ›

Shaking eggnog with ice dilutes it just a little. This helps turn the volume down on its inherent sweetness and thins it so it's not tacky thick, and viscous. It gets your eggnog nicely chilled too, which helps the store-bought stuff taste less sticky sweet.

How long can homemade eggnog last? ›

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

What is the name of the alcohol in eggnog? ›

Alcohol used in different national and regional versions of eggnog include brandy, cognac, bourbon, whiskey, sherry, rum and grain alcohol.

Does alcohol make eggnog safe? ›

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

How much rum should I put in my eggnog? ›

Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.

Should eggnog be served hot or cold? ›

Eggnog is usually served cold, but you may choose to heat it, especially if you're coming in from making snowmen or ice skating. And you can spike eggnog with a splash of brandy, rum or your spirit of choice, but it's also delicious simply spiked with vanilla or cinnamon.

What is the ratio of eggnog to alcohol? ›

More Eggnog-Spiking Tips

Opt for a good quality bottle — and save your most expensive liquors to sip on their own. Know your audience. We just said that 1:5 is the perfect ratio, but it's important to know the preferences of the people you're serving.

Why is my homemade eggnog foamy? ›

Why It Works. Whipping egg whites into a meringue makes for an extra-light and frothy eggnog.

Can you overcook eggnog? ›

The last few minutes are crucial. Undercooked eggnog will be thin and watery; overcooked custard will curdle. The difference is a matter of only a few degrees. For perfectly smooth eggnog: Pour through a sieve before chilling.

What is the very best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

Does homemade eggnog taste better than store-bought? ›

You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

What does Southern Comfort Egg nog taste like? ›

If you love thick, rich and sweet eggnog, this one Won't let you down. Has an extra spicy nutmeg, cinnamony zest that spreads joy. “Southern Comfort Eggnog!”

Has eggnog always had alcohol? ›

Eggnog is thought to have been created in the thirteenth century by European medieval monks who prepared it as a warm ale beverage containing figs and eggs known as "posset." By the seventeenth century, the beverage was made using milk, eggs, and booze, all of which were expensive ingredients during that time.

What is store bought egg nog made of? ›

What Is Eggnog Made Of? Today, eggnog is usually made of some combination of eggs (either just the yolks or the yolks and the whipped egg whites), sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and sometimes booze. We're all familiar with the cartons of store-bought eggnog that grace supermarkets every December.

Does all eggnog have eggs in it? ›

At its core, eggnog is an emulsion of milk and/or cream, sugar, and, yes, eggs. Unlike in an egg cream—a similar old-timey drink that actually gets its name from the foamy, whipped egg white-like texture achieved by mixing seltzer and dairy fat—the “egg” in eggnog is very, very real.

What percentage of alcohol is in eggnog? ›

First, based on the recipe that accompanies that story, and some quick back-of-the-envelope calculations, the eggnog in question was ~14 percent alcohol – which may be high compared to many festive drinks.

References

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