20 Delicious Eggnog Recipes Anyone Can Enjoy This Holiday Season (2024)

There's a creamy eggnog co*cktail for everyone this festive season

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

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Updated on 02/8/24

Watch Now: Creamy Eggnog Recipe with Brandy, Bourbon, or Rum

01 of 20
Classic Homemade Eggnog with Bourbon
Keep holiday traditions alive (or start new ones) with this classic old-fashioned eggnog recipe made with eggs, milk, cream, and bourbon. Perfect for a small party, it includes all the basics, and there's an option for cooked eggnog if you're wary of consuming raw eggs.
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Raw Egg Warning
Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk for foodborneillness. If you do choose to make your eggnog with raw eggs, use only the freshest eggs or choose pasteurized eggs, and be diligent about cleanliness. Cooking the eggs is another option. This is done by tempering eggs with warm dairy to slowly heat them to a safe temperature.
02 of 20
Traditional Rum Eggnog
On a smaller scale, pull out your co*cktail shaker to quickly make eggnog for just one or two people. Due to the base liquor—aged rum—this eggnog recipe creates a slightly sweeter co*cktail than some of the others on our list. You'll also appreciate the extra flavor provided by almond and vanilla extracts.
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03 of 20
Quick Brandy Eggnog
When you don't want to waste any time, this shaken brandy eggnog co*cktail is a great option. It's a favorite recipe among bartenders, has a classic brandy base, and requires just three other ingredients. If you thought eggnog was too difficult to make at home, this recipe will change your mind.
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04 of 20
Bourbon Eggnog
A variation on the traditional recipe, this spiced bourbon eggnog is filled with layers of flavor. It uses three liquors, and the combination of whiskey, cognac, and orange liqueur is a brilliant foundation for seasonal spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. The recipe serves eight, so it's perfect for an intimate party, and can be prepared the night before.
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05 of 20
Nonalcoholic Eggnog
While you can simply skip the liquor in any recipe, this eggnog is designed to be nonalcoholic from the very start. Not only does this family-friendly eggnog skip the alcohol, but it also passes on the raw eggs. The added bonus of making 'nog with cooked eggs is that you can make the base ahead and store it for up to three days before whipping in the cream. And, of course, if anyone wants to add a little bourbon or other liquor, this eggnog tastes great when spiked too.
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06 of 20
Keto Eggnog
For anyone who wants to avoid sugar, this tasty keto eggnog is ideal. The recipe uses two sugar-free sweeteners (confectioners' Swerve and liquid stevia), egg yolks, and unsweetened almond milk. Since heavy cream is keto, it's also included to ensure a luscious beverage, though coconut milk is an option too.
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07 of 20
Vegan Eggnog
That's right, eggnog without eggs! The key to this recipe is a combinationof silken tofu and soy milk blended with vanilla extract and rum or brandy. The blend is luscious and tasty, and people might not even notice the difference between it and a classic eggnog made with eggs and dairy.
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08 of 20
Coquito
Another eggless option, coquito is Puerto Rico's version of eggnog and it's a must for the holiday season in Puerto Rican households. Rather than eggs and heavy cream, this punch relies on cream of coconut, condensed milk, and evaporated milk for creaminess and sweetness. Rum and warm spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, complete this delicious drink. Coquito is best served very cold and shared with friends.
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09 of 20
Easy Rum Eggnog
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Aged rum and ruby port add a dark, complex background flavor to this easy eggnog co*cktail recipe. It's one of the quick versions that is shaken up by the glass, and in just a few minutes, you'll have luscious eggnog to enjoy without any fuss.
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Shaking Raw Egg co*cktails
Dry shaking is one secret to producing the best-tasting egg co*cktails. This simply means holding the ice while you shake all the other ingredients, then adding ice for a second round of vigorous shaking. The technique ensures everything is thoroughly mixed and creates a frothier drink.
10 of 20
Gingerbread Eggnog
A twist on traditional eggnog, this gingerbread-inspired eggnog is filled with delicious flavors and can quickly get any nog-hater to flip to the other side. Molasses, ground ginger, cloves, and other seasonal spices give it that classic gingerbread taste. The rum is optional, so it can be nonalcoholic.
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11 of 20
Eggnog Martini
Make good use of store-bought eggnog with this easy, three-ingredient eggnog martini recipe. Vanilla vodka and amaretto are shaken with pre-made eggnog in this simple co*cktail. To complete the festive martini, add a little nutmeg and cinnamon on top. We can't think of a more perfectly delicious way to use up a carton of eggnog.
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12 of 20
White Christmas
If you have a favorite store-bought eggnog and are looking for a new way to enjoy it, try stirring up a White Christmas co*cktail. The co*cktail pairs Southern Comfort and white chocolate liqueurwith a healthy dose of pre-made eggnog, and it's rather delicious.
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13 of 20
Fireball Eggnog
Cinnamon lovers will thoroughly enjoy this tasty fireball eggnog. Made with the popular cinnamon-flavored whiskey and amaretto, it dresses up prepared eggnog and includes an optional cinnamon-sugar rim for an extra sweet touch.
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14 of 20
Rompope
The Mexican take on eggnog, rompope is an old-fashioned egg punch that's a holiday classic. You'll mix sweetened and spiced warm milk with blanched almonds and egg yolks. Let it cool, then stir in rum for a party-worthy drink.
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15 of 20
Caribbean Punch de Creme Eggnog
Many people enjoy drinking punch de creme on Christmas morning in Trinidad and Tobago, and there are versions of this take on eggnog throughout the Caribbean. Punch de creme typically calls for dark rum and gets an intriguing hint of citrus from lime zest, as well as a zippy flavor from angostura bitters. To let the flavor develop properly, plan on mixing it up a day in advance.
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16 of 20
Tom and Jerry
Turn to the classic Tom and Jerry recipe when you want to serve your eggnog on the warm side. This sweet, frothy, warm co*cktail with dark rum and cognac is a popular option at American bars around the holidays. You can make the batter anytime you like and, when it's time to serve, simply add rum, brandy, and warm milk or water.
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17 of 20
Holiday Spice co*cktail
The holiday spice co*cktail—with warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—is a fabulous way to lift spirits in the middle of winter and takes just minutes to shake up. Coconut and pineapple give this eggnog-like co*cktail a tropical twist. Choose your favorite coconut vodka, pick up some cream of coconut and pineapple juice, and don't forget the spices.
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18 of 20
Polish Kogel Mogel
Kogel mogel is a centuries-old dessert from Poland's Jewish communities. Essentially very thick eggnog, the base is nothing more than egg yolks and honey, though you can add other ingredients—try it with cocoa powder, raisins, or nuts, and spike it with rum or vodka if you like.
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19 of 20
Traditional Dutch Advocaat
Advocaat is a Dutch eggnog-like custard that's so thick you have to eat it with a spoon rather than drinking it. Made with egg yolks, sugar, brandy or cognac, and vanilla, it's a wonderfully rich choice for the holidays—especially if you add a bit of whipped cream on top. Serve it alongside small bites of fudge or salted caramels and everyone will be thrilled.
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20 of 20
Eierlikör Egg Liqueur Eierlikoer
Eierlikör (or eierlikoer) is a popular homemade liquor from Germany that makes a fun gift. It's a heated and then chilled blend of egg yolks, milk, cream, and vanilla spiked with both vodka and brandy. The longer you let its flavors develop before drinking it, the better it tastes.
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