Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2024)

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Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.

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Updated on 12/12/22

Tested by

Diana Rattray

Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (1)

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

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For many holiday and Christmas celebrations, eggnog is an essential festive beverage. But because of raw eggs and alcohol, families may shy away from the creamy drink. However, there is no need to fear raw eggs in this recipe, as the eggs are gently cooked to 160 F kill any potential bacteria. And because it is alcohol-free, everyone can enjoy this quintessential Christmas drink. Consider making a big batch of this eggnog to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

For any adults who do choose to partake in alcohol, add liquor to individual mugs or half of the batch of eggnog. Brandy is the most traditional alcoholic add-in for eggnog, but if you prefer, you could try a mix of dark rum and cognac; another option is bourbon.

Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2)

"This non-alcoholic eggnog was rich, creamy, and delicious. Mine registered 160 F after 30 minutes, and I gave it about 5 minutes longer to thicken a bit more and coat a spoon. The recipe made about 5 cups. You could use the custard mixture to make eggnog ice cream as well." —Diana Rattray

Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 4 cups whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

  • Additional grated nutmeg, garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (4)

  2. Combine the eggs, egg yolks (use the egg whites in another recipe), sugar, and salt in a heavy 3-or 4-quart pan, whisking until well-combined.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (5)

  3. Continue whisking while pouring the milk in a slow, steady stream until completely incorporated.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (6)

  4. Place the pan over the lowest possible heat setting; stir the mixture continuously until an ​instant-read thermometer reaches 160 F and the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be patient—this should take about 35 to 45 minutes.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (7)

  5. Once the mixture has thickened, strain it through a fine sieve into a large bowl to remove any possible small cooked bits of egg.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (8)

  6. Add the vanilla extract and nutmeg, stirring to combine.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (9)

  7. Carefully pour the mixture into a glass pitcher, decanter, or container and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate the egg custard mixture to fully chill the eggnog, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (10)

  8. When ready to serve, pour the heavy cream into a bowl and whip until it forms soft peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the cold custard mixture until combined.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (11)

  9. Serve the eggnog in chilled cups or glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg. If anyone is adding alcohol to their glass, make sure to leave some room.

    Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (12)

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk for food-borneillness.

Tips

  • While tempting, avoid turning up the heat to speed up cooking the egg mixture; the increased heat will cook the eggs, leaving you with a chunky instead of a smooth beverage.
  • If you do not have a low heat burner, you can cook the eggnog in a double boiler over gently simmering water.
  • If you have a lot of drinkers, it may be helpful to use two types of cups or add a cute garnish to the boozy eggnogs so that no one gets confused.

Recipe Variations

  • Give the eggnog warm spice flavor by adding 2 cinnamon sticks and 4 whole cloves to the milk and egg mixture. Cook and strain as directed.
  • Serve the eggnog with a dollop of whipped cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  • For a more traditional eggnog flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of rum extract along with the vanilla.

How to Store Homemade Eggnog

  • Refrigerate eggnog in a covered container and consume within 2 days.
  • To freeze homemade eggnog, transfer it to a freezer container, leaving 1 to 2 inches of headspace to allow for expansion. Label the container with the name and date and freeze for up to 6 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
  • Whisk the defrosted eggnog until smooth or process it in a blender. If desired, heat the eggnog over low heat until warm.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
195Calories
10g Fat
18g Carbs
9g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8to 10
Amount per serving
Calories195
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g12%
Saturated Fat 5g23%
Cholesterol 184mg61%
Sodium 154mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 18g7%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 139mg11%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 194mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Article Sources

The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Brandt, Kathy. “Making Homemade Egg Nog That's Safe.” UMN Extension, extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/making-homemade-egg-nog#:~:text=Refrigerated%20eggs%20with%20clean%2C%20uncracked,it%20may%20not%20be%20safe.

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Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is non alcoholic eggnog made of? ›

Put the vanilla seeds in a large bowl. Add the egg yolks and sugar syrup, and beat with an electric whisk until pale, about 2-3 mins. Add the cream and milk, and beat again until just combined. Fill a large jug with ice, then strain in the eggnog mixture.

Is eggnog safe for kids to drink? ›

When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.

How long does non alcoholic egg nog last? ›

Cover and refrigerate.

The more liquor you add, the longer it will keep — non-alcoholic eggnog should be consumed within 1 day; eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup of liquor will keep for several days; and eggnog with 1 1/2 cups of liquor will keep for several weeks and continue aging and thickening quite nicely.

What is a substitute for cream in eggnog? ›

Full-fat Coconut Milk: To replace the cream in traditional eggnog, we'll be using full-fat coconut milk. It MUST be full fat for it to work properly, so this is key! Brown Sugar: Brown sugar makes this eggnog perfectly sweet, but you can also substitute coconut sugar to make this recipe refined sugar-free!

What makes eggnog unhealthy? ›

“While there are different eggnog recipes, most eggnog will typically contain high amounts of fat from cream and milk, and added sugar for sweetness,” said Cohn. The American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat every day to support heart health.

What is dairy free eggnog made of? ›

Making dairy free egg nog is easy, and nobody will be able to tell the difference. All you need to do is swap milk and cream with almond milk and full fat coconut milk. Start by beating the pasture raised egg yolks with 1/3 cup of maple sugar until light and creamy. You can also use maple syrup and it will work fine.

Can you drink too much eggnog? ›

Throw out the pumpkin spice lattes and pour yourself eggnog, the little black dress of drinks, perfect for adding to everything from breakfast coffees to spiked evening co*cktails. But one too many eggnogs can cause a less-than-jolly experience, especially in terms of digestive distress.

Can you drink straight eggnog? ›

Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.

The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.

Can you freeze non alcoholic egg nog? ›

Yes! For up to six months, you can freeze non-alcoholic eggnog, either store-bought or homemade. However, spiked eggnog typically does not freeze well, as conventional freezers are generally not cold enough to freeze the alcohol.

How can you tell if eggnog has gone bad? ›

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

What to mix with eggnog? ›

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

What is the old name for eggnog? ›

"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy.

Why do they stop selling eggnog? ›

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

What makes eggnog taste better? ›

Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or turn your eggnog into an iced eggnog latte by pouring a shot of espresso into the shaker. Either way, you'll feel the spirit of the holidays!

What is vegan eggnog made of? ›

Eggnog is a rich, seasonal beverage traditionally made with eggs, milk, sugar, nutmeg, and bourbon. Our version, however, is a little different. It's made with a blend of creamy dairy-free milks — we love cashew, almond, and coconut.

What is store bought eggnog made of? ›

What Is Eggnog Made Of? Today, eggnog is usually made of some combination of eggs (either just the yolks or the yolks and the whipped egg whites), sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and sometimes booze. We're all familiar with the cartons of store-bought eggnog that grace supermarkets every December.

What is American eggnog made of? ›

A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy.

What kind of alcohol is in eggnog? ›

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

References

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