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Homemade Eggnog Recipe is so rich and creamy. This easy eggnog recipe has the perfect blend of spices for a great holiday drink.

A clear glass mug filled with creamy homemade eggnog, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon, sits on a white surface. A cinnamon stick is inserted into the drink. A red and white checkered cloth is in the background, partially visible.
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Eggnog is such a classic drink to enjoy during Christmas. It just goes hand in hand with the holidays. I love the smooth and creamy way it tastes with a hint of sweetness. It’s the best and this recipe does not disappoint.

If you have been buying eggnog at the grocery store, try this homemade traditional eggnog recipe instead. I will warn you though, it is SO much better than anything store bought.

If you love eggnog also try Eggnog Waffles, Eggnog Milkshake Recipe, and Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls. Also check out this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe.

Why We Love This Recipe

Eggnog is a must to enjoy during the holidays. I love this eggnog base because of how easy it is to make and I usually always have the ingredients.

You can easily add in alcohol of your choice to enjoy with friends and family. The texture of this eggnog is creamy and has the best flavor.

Ingredients

A marble countertop displays various ingredients for cooking a homemade eggnog recipe. There are six egg yolks in a glass bowl, a wooden spoon with a spice, a cup labeled "1 cup sugar" containing sugar, two small glass containers with liquid, a small glass jar with a dark liquid, and a red-striped cloth.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Eggnog

A white bowl with four egg yolks and a mound of sugar sits on a marble countertop. Surrounding the bowl are a red and white striped dish towel, a glass of milk, a small glass of vanilla extract, and a jar labeled cream—essentials for crafting your homemade eggnog recipe.

Step 1 – Whisk together the raw egg yolks and the sugar until this mixture is light and creamy.  

A kitchen counter with ingredients for a homemade eggnog recipe. A bowl of beaten eggs is visible on the right, a saucepan with cream and spices on the left, and a small dish of vanilla extract above. A red and white striped cloth is partially seen in the top left corner.

Step 2 – Get out a saucepan and turn the stove to medium heat. Add the heavy cream, milk and ground cinnamon.

  • Step 3 – Stir all of this together and heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. Don’t let it boil! You will need to watch it closely and don’t walk away from the stove.
A mixing bowl with a beaten yellow mixture and a spoon, next to a smaller bowl with a brown powdery substance and a whisk, a small dish of vanilla extract, and a red and white checkered cloth on a marble surface—all the essentials for your homemade eggnog recipe.

Step 3 – Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture. It is really important that you do this gradually so you don’t scramble the eggs.

A white bowl filled with a frothy, light-colored mixture is placed on a marble countertop. Nearby are a whisk, a small glass with dark liquid, a red and white checkered cloth, and a metal pot with a spoon—perfect essentials for crafting your homemade eggnog recipe.

Step 4 – Continue to follow this process until all the milk has been added to the egg mixture. 

  • Step 5 – After all of the milk has been added, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove. 
  • Step 6 – Then heat on medium low heat and continue to whisk until the mixture is slightly thickened. Keep in mind that it will thicken some more as it cools. 
  • Step 7 – Just remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Place the eggnog in the refrigerator to chill and thickened.  

This is optional but I like to serve it with homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Expert Tips

  • Hot Milk Mixture – You want to allow this mixture to simmer and not boil. Watch closely as it heats on the stovetop. Slowly add this to the egg mixture so you do not cook the eggs. I normally do a spoonful at a time and whisk after each spoonful is added.
  • Eggnog Mixture – The mixture will thicken as it cools in the refrigerator. Make sure to give time for it to cool before serving.
A glass filled with creamy homemade eggnog, topped with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. There is a cinnamon stick placed beside the glass. The background is blurred, showing another glass of eggnog. The photo has a cozy and festive ambiance.

How to Store Eggnog

Put the eggnog in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This is such a time saver around the holidays and I love to make it in advance.

It saves time so you can do other things that need to be completed on the holiday or day of the party.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Alcohol to Put in Eggnog?

Brandy, rum, bourbon or whiskey are the most common choices for eggnog. Use what you prefer. Homemade eggnog is the best. You can’t go wrong with this delicious recipe. Make it a new tradition to make eggnog from scratch. It is so rich and creamy. The flavor can’t be beat.
There really isn’t any comparison once you try homemade. It is SO much better than store-bought eggnog. I think you will be pleasantly surprised just how easy it is to make this.

How to Make Eggs Safe for Eggnog?

In order to make this safe to drink without bacteria or salmonella, the mixture with the eggs needs to be cooked. This process is done very gradually with heated milk so that you don’t scramble the eggs. Most people prefer cooked eggnog as opposed to raw because it provides a richer flavor.

A glass mug filled with a creamy beverage topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon, reminiscent of a homemade eggnog recipe. The mug is placed on a white marble surface next to a couple of cinnamon sticks and a red and white checkered cloth.

More Easy Holiday Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Homemade Eggnog Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Homemade Eggnog Recipe 

5 from 20 votes
Homemade eggnog recipe is so rich and creamy. This easy eggnog recipe has the perfect blend of spices for a great holiday drink.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Beverage
Calories 561

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until light and creamy.
  • Then in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, milk and cinnamon. Stir and heat until the mixture reaches a simmer.
  • Next gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture (1 spoonful at a time) whisking after the addition of each spoonful. You want to gradually add in the heated milk so that you do not scramble the eggs.  Follow this process until all the milk has been added to the egg mixture.
  • Then pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.
  • Heat on medium low heat and whisk until the mixture is slightly thickened. It will thicken more as it cools.
  • Remove from the heat and then stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Store in the mixture in the refrigerator until chilled and thickened.
  • Serve topped with fresh whipped cream and additional cinnamon if you prefer.
  • Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Store the egg nog in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 561kcal, Carbohydrates 59g, Protein 9g, Fat 33g, Saturated Fat 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 11g, Cholesterol 387mg, Sodium 89mg, Potassium 238mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 56g, Vitamin A 1462IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 214mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 20 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    It’s approximately 1 cup per serving but each batch is different so it will vary. A serving is approximately 1/4 of the entire recipe.

  2. Carrie Barnard says:

    Thank you so much!

  3. Jen says:

    This is better than any store bought egg nog Iโ€™ve ever had. Itโ€™s so creamy! Perfect!!

  4. Lawrence says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely silky smooth without being too sweet.

  5. Kim says:

    How many cups is a serving?