How to Drink Eggnog

Co-authored by Derricka Clayton and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: December 13, 2024 References

Eggnog is a holiday favorite that can be enjoyed as a festive cocktail or dessert. Its rich and creamy base pairs nicely with sweet pastries and desserts such as gingerbread cookies and plain spice cake. You can make this delicious drink even better by knowing how to serve it plain or using it to make lattes or cocktails.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Drinking Eggnog the Traditional Way

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1
Buy or make eggnog around the holidays. Typically, you can only find eggnog in grocery stores and supermarkets around the winter holidays. Look for it in the dairy aisle, close to milk and coffee creamer. If you can’t find it in a store near you, order it online.
- If you’d like, you can also make your own eggnog out of eggs, milk, cream, and sugar.
2
Mix your eggnog with rum, bourbon, or brandy to give it a little kick. Start by adding 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) of liquor to a glass of eggnog. Taste it and add more alcohol if desired. Although rum and bourbon are most commonly paired with eggnog, you can mix in any amber-colored spirit, such as cognac.^{[1]
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- Avoid mixing beer or wine with eggnog since it might not taste very good.
- Serve your spiked eggnog with cookies, cake, or pie.
- Remember to always drink responsibly and not to consume alcohol if you are under the legal drinking age.
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3
Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat. The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn’t involve any prep, and it’s perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.^{[2]
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- Try your eggnog with warm pastries, cookies, or even ice cream.
Did You Know? A serving of eggnog is typically considered 1 cup (240 mL).^{[3]
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Top your eggnog with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a sweet-spicy flavor. Nutmeg and cinnamon are great spices that bring out the flavors in eggnog. Simply sprinkle a pinch of each to the top of your eggnog. Your taste buds will thank you.^{[4]
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- Other spices you can add include cloves and allspice.
- You can also mix a dash of vanilla extract into your eggnog if you want it to be sweeter.
5
Sip hot eggnog to warm up on a cold night. Warm or hot eggnog is the perfect drink to take the chill off any winter night. To heat it, place it in a microwave-safe mug and microwave it for 30 seconds at a time. Continue to microwave the eggnog in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature.^{[5]
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- Microwave times will vary depending on the power of your microwave and how hot you want your beverage.
- Warm eggnog goes great with a slice of chocolate cake.
6
Store eggnog in the fridge for 2-7 days. Once you buy or make eggnog, keep it in an area of your refrigerator that remains at or below 40 °F (4 °C). Once opened, store-bought eggnog will last for 7 days. Homemade eggnog only lasts for 2-3 days.^{[6]
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- Typically, the coolest part of your fridge is near the back. Avoid keeping eggnog in the door, since it may not be as cold as the rest of the fridge.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making an Eggnog Cocktail

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1
Measure 5 cups (1,200 mL) of chilled eggnog into a large punch bowl. Making an eggnog cocktail is very easy, and it’s a nice way to warm up your guests at a holiday gathering. Start with about 5 cups (1,200 mL) of your favorite store-bought or homemade eggnog, and pour it into a large punch bowl or pitcher.^{[7]
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- Since this cocktail is best served chilled, start with eggnog that’s very cold.
- If you want to adjust the quantity of the drink, just use the proportion 5 parts eggnog to 1 part liquor.
- If you want to make your own eggnog, beat 6 egg yolks until they’re frothy, then gradually add 2 cups (470 mL) of whole milk, 1 cup (240 mL) of heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 cup (50 g) of sugar.
Ingredients:
5 cups (1,200 mL) eggnog

1/4 tsp (.6 g) nutmeg

¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) vanilla extract

³⁄₄ cup (180 mL) brandy

¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) bourbon or dark rum

Nutmeg, orange zest, or cinnamon sticks for garnish

Makes 6 1 cup (240 mL) servings
2
Stir in 1/4 tsp (.6 g) of nutmeg and ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of vanilla. Nutmeg adds a nutty, sweet warmth to this cocktail, with almost a hint of spice. Since nutmeg is often used in treats like gingerbread cookies, its flavor will make this delicious drink even more suited for the holidays.^{[8]
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- In addition, the vanilla will add a smooth sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of eggnog.
3
Add ³⁄₄ cup (180 mL) of brandy and ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of bourbon. Eggnog blends beautifully with the dark, flavors of liquors like brandy, bourbon, and dark rum. Pour the liquor into the eggnog slowly, stirring the ingredients with a wooden spoon until they’re completely combined.^{[9]
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- Feel free to experiment with different liquors, like amaretto or cognac in place of the brandy, or dark rum in place of the bourbon.
- To make a non-alcoholic version of this classic cocktail, replace the liquor with more eggnog, but add a few drops of rum extract to taste instead.
Tip: Stick to mid-shelf liquors, rather than splurging on the spicy stuff—you won’t be able to tell the difference, and you’ll save a few dollars.
An eggnog cocktail is best served cold, so keep it in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve your guests. When you’re ready to bring the eggnog out, you can either ladle or pour the drink into individual punch glasses, or you can allow your guests to serve themselves.^{[10]
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Garnish the drink with grated nutmeg and orange zest or a cinnamon stick. A sprinkle of nutmeg is a classic topping for any eggnog drink, but you can add a little extra color by adding a little grated orange zest as well. If you prefer, you can leave off the orange zest and serve the eggnog with a cinnamon stick, instead.
- If your guests are serving themselves, place a shaker of nutmeg and a bowl of orange zest or cinnamon sticks next to the glasses. That way, everyone can garnish their own drink.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Eggnog Combinations

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1
Blend espresso, eggnog, and nutmeg to make your own eggnog latte. This warm, delicious treat is the perfect pick-me-up when you need a caffeine boost on a cold day. Brew 2 cups (470 mL) of espresso or strong black coffee. Then, pour the espresso with 1 ¹⁄₂ cups (350 mL) of eggnog and a shake of nutmeg into your blender and blend the mixture until it’s frothy. Top with a little more nutmeg as a garnish and enjoy!^{[11]
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- If you don’t have a blender, pour the ingredients into a mason jar, then seal it tightly and shake until it’s nice and frothy.
2
Mix vanilla ice cream and eggnog for a delicious eggnog milkshake. The creamy, rich flavors of eggnog and vanilla ice cream pair together perfectly for this sweet treat. Combine 1 cup (215 g) of vanilla ice cream and 1 cup (240 mL) of eggnog in a blender, then add 3 crushed gingersnap cookies and blend until everything is smooth. Pour the mixture into 2 chilled glasses and top with more gingersnap crumbs.^{[12]
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- You can also add whipped cream, if you’d like.
3
Stir in cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves to make gingerbread eggnog. Gingerbread is a perfect pairing for eggnog, and this drink combines them both. Start with 4 cups (950 mL) of eggnog, then add 1/2 tsp (3 g) of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp (2 g) of ground ginger, 1/4 tsp (.5 g) of allspice, and ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 mL) of vanilla extract. Stir until everything is combined, and garnish with a gingerbread cookie.^{[13]
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- Spice this drink up even more by adding ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of dark rum, if you’d like.
Did You Know? You can even bake with eggnog! Try making eggnog truffles, eggnog cupcakes, or even eggnog French toast!
4
Use caramel syrup and sea salt to make salted caramel eggnog. The rich sweetness of eggnog really benefits from the buttery flavor of salted caramel. If you want to enjoy this drink yourself, pour 1 cup (240 mL) of eggnog into a glass, then drizzle about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of caramel syrup over the top of your drink. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the caramel, and enjoy!^{[14]
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- You can buy caramel syrup where coffee add-ins are sold, or you can make your own!
5
Add vanilla vodka and amaretto liqueur for an eggnog martini. To make an individual serving of this drink, pour 3 fluid ounces (89 mL) of eggnog, 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of vanilla vodka, and 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of amaretto liqueur into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake the drink vigorously for a few seconds, then strain it into a martini glass. Top the martini with a shake of grated nutmeg.^{[15]
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- If you’d like, you can rim the glass with cinnamon sugar before you pour the drink.
- This drink is lighter and less rich than a traditional eggnog cocktail, making it a good accompaniment for a meal.
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Make vegan eggnog from coconut milk, coconut cream, and cashews. In a blender, combine 3 cups (710 mL) of coconut milk, 1 cup (240 mL) of coconut cream, 1/2 cup (75 g) of raw cashews, 2/3 cup (130 g) of white sugar, 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vanilla extract, 1 tsp (6 g) of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp (1 g) of ground nutmeg. Blend everything until it’s completely smooth, then pour it into a saucepan and heat it on medium-low for 5-10 minutes, or until it starts to simmer. Strain the mixture and chill for a few hours until it’s cool.^{[16]
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- If you want a spiked version of this vegan treat, add ³⁄₄ cup (180 mL) of bourbon before you strain it.

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Things You’ll Need

Traditional Eggnog Cocktail

Punch bowl or large pitcher
Wooden spoon
Ladle
Punch glasses

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Warnings

Use caution when consuming alcoholic beverages and always drink responsibly.

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Do not consume alcohol if you are under the legal drinking age.

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Always be cautious when consuming raw eggs.^{[17]
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Research source} It is not recommended to consume raw eggs if you are under the age of 4, pregnant, elderly, or have a weak immune system.^{[18]
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