Easy homemade eggnog is the perfect holiday drink! Add some rum and make it a festive holiday cocktail.
Rich and creamy drinks are the perfect comfort food during the cold winter season. This eggnog is a traditional recipe made with egg yolks, sugar, milk, heavy cream and a few spices. Simmer the ingredients over the stove to slow cook, chill and then serve.
Ingredient Notes
A few notes about ingredients for this recipe:
- Spices: You can add more or less spices, as desired to achieve the perfect eggnog flavor. Add ground cinnamon too, if desired.
- Sugar: You can reduce the amount of sugar slightly or use maple syrup instead.
- You can use half and half instead of the whipping cream and milk.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the spices to add more flavor. The amount of spices add a mild spiced flavor to this eggnog. Double the spices to add more spiced flavor.
- Slowly add the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture to temper the eggs. This is important as you do not want to overcook the eggs.
- Do not allow the mixture to boil.
- Don’t forget to discard the cloves before chilling.
- Refrigerate the eggnog overnight for the best taste. The chilling process allows the flavors to combine and texture to slightly thicken.
- Serve it chilled. You can serve it over ice and add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to the glass.
FAQs
Dark alcohol like rum, brandy or bourbon tastes best in eggnog. It also tastes good with a combination of dark rum and cognac. This recipe still tastes great without the alcohol.
Eggnog has a sweet flavor similar to custard ice cream. It’s rich and cream with a hint of spice.
Eggnog lasts 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
If you’re looking for a way to use up leftover homemade eggnog, try an eggnog latte. Replace the milk in a latte with eggnog. Or use eggnog instead of milk in pancakes.
Other Holiday Drink Recipes
Homemade Eggnog Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 whole cloves
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup rum , (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer.
- Whisk ½ cup of the hot milk mixture slowly into the egg mixture to temper the eggs. Continue slowly adding the milk until incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and return to the stove.
- Increase temperature to medium heat, whisking constantly for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened. Do not allow it to boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and rum. Remove and discard the cloves, and allow the eggnog to cool for 1 hour before transferring it to a pitcher.
- Refrigerate overnight before serving for best taste. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include the optional rum.
- Spices: You can add more or less spices, as desired to achieve the perfect eggnog flavor. Add ground cinnamon too, if desired.
- Sugar: You can reduce the amount of sugar slightly or use maple syrup instead.
- You can use half and half instead of the whipping cream and milk.
Nutrition
This recipe originally published in December 2018. It was updated with new process photos and tips in December 2020.
Can you replace the whole cloves with ground?
Yes, you can use 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves instead of the whole cloves. Enjoy!
My kids are always asking for me to make eggnog but I’m always a little hesitant! This was perfect and tasty! Loved it!
Everyone looks forward to eggnog at Christmas! Thanks for this new recipe for me to try. So much better than store-bought!
I was generally satisfied with this recipe. This was extremely smooth and tasty. I’m planning to this one out as Xmas gift to neighbours. Thank you so much for sharing!