Definitive Eggnog Recipe

There are some drinks that just belong to the holidays and eggnog is at the top of that list. Whether you grew up sipping this creamy drink or discovered it at your first holiday work party, those who value holiday traditions and rituals often have a special place for eggnog in their celebrations. Eggnog is a rich and creamy beverage typically made from milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and often flavored with nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon. It's traditionally served cold and can be dolled up with brandy, rum, or bourbon.

Recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for definitive eggnog and says, "The holidays just aren't the holidays without eggnog. Although you can buy eggnog pre-made it's easy to make at home and is like most things made from scratch — better. I've added a twist to the recipe by using coconut sugar in addition to granulated sugar. This subtle nod to coquito, a Puerto Rican Christmas drink, gives this eggnog a caramel flavor."

Read on to learn how to make this festive classic in your own kitchen. It's easier than you might imagine!

To make this recipe, pick up some eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream in the dairy aisle. "If you want to get fancy with toppings, add some whipped cream to your cart," Hahn shares. Then in the baking aisle, grab some granulated sugar, coconut sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.

Combine the egg yolks, coconut sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a whisk for 2 minutes or until creamy.

Add the whole milk, heavy cream, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to a medium pot and bring the heat to medium-high. Stir for 3 minutes.

Add the warm milk mixture to the egg mixture ¼ cup at a time and whisk. Repeat this until all of the milk mixture has been incorporated into the egg mixture. This should take about 10 minutes.

Now add the mixture back into the medium pot and lower heat to medium. Whisk frequently for 5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened, then remove from heat and cool for one hour.

Add the vanilla to the pot then pour into a container with a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Pour into glasses and sprinkle with additional cinnamon and whipped cream if desired before serving.

To start off, if you want to change the thickness of the eggnog you can vary the number of eggs. More egg yolks result in a thicker, custard-like texture and fewer eggs will thin things out. If you want the eggnog frothier, you can add a couple of beaten egg whites.

If you're working around dietary restrictions, you can easily make this dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan. To do this substitute 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of aquafaba instead of the eggs. Aquafaba is the liquid that canned chickpeas are sitting in. For the whole milk, you can use any dairy-free milk, and for the heavy cream use canned coconut milk or homemade cashew cream.

In terms of the sweetness level, you can adjust the amount of sugar to make the eggnog sweeter or less sweet, depending on your taste. Other sweeteners that work are maple syrup, agave syrup, or honey. You can also warm up the eggnog for a cozy drink instead of serving it cold. Keep it warm in a crockpot using the warm setting and ladle it out as needed.

Eggnog and cookies are a classic combination. Serve a platter of freshly baked holiday cookies like gingerbread, sugar cookies, or snickerdoodles alongside your eggnog. Fruitcake is another traditional holiday treat that complements the sweet and spiced flavors of eggnog. The dense, fruity cake can be sliced and served as a sweet accompaniment.

Chocolates or truffles, especially those with festive holiday flavors like peppermint or caramel, can be a delightful accompaniment to eggnog. A slice of gingerbread or spice cake pairs beautifully with eggnog due to the shared warm and spicy flavors.

If you're looking for a savory contrast, a selection of snacks like mixed nuts, popcorn, baked brie, or even small sandwiches with seasonal fillings like turkey and cranberry work well. Fresh fruit, like sliced apples, pears, or grapes, can be a refreshing side to enjoy with eggnog. The fresh and light flavors pair well with the richness of the drink. It's also nice to offer other beverages like coffee, espresso, and hot chocolate so you have plenty on hand for those who only want a small amount of eggnog, as it can be too rich for some.