Bring your holiday celebrations to life with this delicious Homemade Eggnog! Made with just a handful of ingredients, this eggnog is easy to make and has the most amazing flavor… (better than store bought!)
There are some things that, to this day, bring me right back to childhood. And one of those things is EGGNOG!
I have vivid memories of being at a holiday party with my family where it was being served…and I clearly remember falling in love with it. Because really, when it comes to eggnog, what’s not to love!? It’s sweet and creamy and rich and flavorful…and best of all, it means the holidays are here.
So this year, I thought it might be fun to make a homemade version…just to prove that I could. And let’s just say that now that I’ve tried it? There’s no going back.
Not only is it incredibly easy to make (it really just requires a bit of patience), but I love the fact that you can choose your ingredients and adjust the sweetness to match your tastes.
Speaking of ingredients, this recipe has an option of adding your choice of alcohol or not. My suggestion? Make two batches so there’s something for everyone!
Whether you’ve made Homemade Eggnog in the past or are making it for the first time, I have no doubt you’re going to LOVE this recipe! It’s perfect for holiday parties and makes a great gift for family, friends, and neighbors. Ready to get started?
what you’ll need for this recipe
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Egg yolks
- Granulated sugar
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Brandy, rum, or bourbon (optional)
how to make homemade eggnog
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and nutmeg.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats a spoon. (Do not boil.)
- Remove from heat; place pan in a bowl with ice and continue stirring mixture for 2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and brandy (optional). Stir well.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
what kind of alcohol do you use in eggnog?
Most eggnog is made with bourbon, rum, brandy, or a combination of any of these. For this recipe I used brandy.
can you make eggnog without alcohol?
Yes! You can absolutely make this recipe without alcohol and it will be completely kid-friendly. To do so, simply make the recipe according to the instructions but don’t add the alcohol at the very end.
storing leftovers
Homemade Eggnog can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Eggnog also can be frozen for up to 6 months. Be sure to store it in a container that allows some room for expansion (approx. 1/2 inch at the top of the container). To use, simply thaw frozen eggnog in the refrigerator.
more delicious holiday cocktails
- Cranberry Mimosas
- Cranberry Moscow Mules
- Pomegranate Party Punch
- Crock Pot Butterscotch Apple Cider
- Apple Pie Sangria
- Mulled Sangria
more eggnog-inspired recipes
- Eggnog Cookie Dough Truffles
- Eggnog Monkey Bread
- Eggnog Mudslides
- Eggnog Bread
- Peppermint Eggnog Muddy Buddies
- Eggnog Dip
Homemade Eggnog
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 large egg yolks beaten
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brandy OR rum OR bourbon (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and nutmeg.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and coats a spoon. (Do not boil.)
- Remove from heat; place pan in a bowl with ice and continue stirring mixture for 2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and brandy; stir well.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Kimberly says
Oooh, that looks like absolute perfection, can’t wait to try it!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy! This looks fabulous!
Anna says
Homemade eggnog is a must for the holidays around here! It’s delicious!
Susan says
Made it! It is as delicious as it looks. Especially with rum. 🙂
sabrina says
haven’t made this in a few years so thank you for this egg nog reminder, and just in time and much appreciated
Mary says
Do you use pasteurized eggs? To prevent salmonella?
Cathy Trochelman says
You can, but you don’t need to. Between cooking the eggnog and adding alcohol, any type of eggs are fine to use.