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    Home » Recipes » Christmas Recipe

    Homemade Eggnog Recipe

    Published: Dec 22, 2024 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Homemade eggnog pinterest pin.

    This Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe is a classic holiday drink perfect for sharing with family and friends. The warm spices and creamy texture make this a crowd favorite during the holiday season.

    Homemade eggnog topped with whipped cream.

    For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient List
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Eileen's Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make homemade eggnog.
    • This recipe is easy to make and perfect for holiday parties.
    • Plus, it tastes so much better than the store-bought nog.

    Ingredient List

    Ingredients to make homemade eggnog with text overlay.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • whole milk
    • heavy whipping cream
    •  ground cinnamon
    •  salt
    • ground nutmeg
    • whole cloves
    • star anise
    • large egg yolks
    • granulated sugar
    • pure vanilla extract

    Equipment

    • Medium Saucepan
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Whisk
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Mesh Strainers

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    A saucepan of eggs and heavy cream to make eggnog.
    1. In a medium pan, combine the milk, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, salt, ground nutmeg, whole cloves, and star anise until hot and bubbly,
    A glass measuring cup with heavy cream whipped for egg nog.
    1. In a medium bow,l beat the egg yolks and sugar until foam forms.
    A sauce pan with eggnog mixing whipped cream and yolks.
    1. Slowly add the egg yolks to the hot milk, stirring constantly.
    A sauce pan with a mesh above it to drain star anise and cloves.
    1. Heat the egg and milk mixture until it reaches 160 degrees f. Strain the eggnog and remove the star anise.
    Homemade eggnog with a sprinkling of nutmeg.
    1. Once cooled completely, serve and garnish with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise on top if desired.

    Eileen's Tips for Success

    • For this homemade recipe, I highly recommend that you use whole milk and full-fat heavy cream. This adds richness and ultra-creamy texture.
    • Make sure to add the eggs slowly, and stir constantly so that the eggs do not curdle.
    • Add the spices slowly, so that you can adjust the seasonings to suit your tastebuds.
    • It's best to allow this eggnog to chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is traditional eggnog made of?

    Traditional eggnog is made of milk, heavy cream, sugar, egg yolks, and nutmeg.

    What kind of alcohol do you use to make eggnog?

    Eggnog does best with bourbon or rum.

    Do you drink eggnog warm or cold?

    Eggnog is typically served cold, however, you can also serve it warm.

    Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Liquor: Turn this classic drink into an adult beverage by adding a splash of bourbon or rum.
    • Garnish: You can also garnish this homemade eggnog with some Boozy Whisky Cherries for a nice pop of color.
    • A dollop of whipped cream also goes great on top of your glass.

    Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Storage - Store the eggnog in an airtight container or pitcher in the fridge for up to one week. I like to store it in a glass pitcher or mason jar with a lid to keep it fresh.

    Homemade eggnog in a mason jar.

    Serving Suggestions

    I love serving this creamy homemade eggnog with holiday favorites such as this Baked Honey Glazed Ham, Cheesy Green Beans, or Homemade Mashed Potatoes.

    Similar recipes

    Are you looking for more recipes to enjoy this holiday season? These are a few of my favorite Christmas party recipes.

    Check out all our holiday sweets and treats here.

    • A white poke cake with red and green jello topped with a green peep.
      Christmas Poke Cake
    • A christmas cheesecake topped with red and green m and ms and candy canes.
      Festive Christmas Cheesecake
    • Brown sugar glazed Butter Pecan Sticky Buns in a large baking pan.
      Butter Pecan Sticky Buns Recipe
    • Buddy the Elf Cupcakes

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    📖 Recipe

    Easy homemade eggnog in a mason jar with nutmeg and star anise.

    Homemade Eggnog Recipe

    Enjoy a luscious, creamy homemade eggnog recipe with simple ingredients. Eggnog will be a delicious addition to your holiday menu.
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    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: homemade eggnog
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    cooling time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 servings
    Calories: 403kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Medium Saucepan
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Whisk
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Mesh Strainers

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups whole milk note 1
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 4 whole cloves
    • 3 star anise
    • 6 large egg yolks
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • fresh nutmeg optional garnish
    • whipped cream optional garnish

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    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized saucepan, over medium heat, stir together 3 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 4 whole cloves, and 3 star anise until hot and not bubbly.
    • Whisk 6 egg yolks and ½ cup granulated sugar in a medium-sized bowl until foam forms.
    • Add the hot milk mixture to the bowl with the whipped yolks in small portions and stir. Add about a cup of milk to the yolks, stirring constantly.
    • Pour the mixture with yolks into the saucepan with milk and heat, stirring. The eggnog should reach about 160°F.
    • Strain the eggnog to remove the cloves and star anise. Then let it cool for about an hour or more.
    • Serve eggnog with fresh grated nutmeg and whipped cream, optional garnish.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe. 
    Note 1: We use whole milk but 2% milk can be used. I don't recommend skim milk for this recipe. 
    Storage - Store the eggnog in an airtight container or pitcher in the fridge for up to one week. I like to store it in a glass pitcher or mason jar with a lid to keep it fresh.
     
    I'm not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. 
     
    • Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 292mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1234IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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