This Homemade Eggnog Recipe is insanely easy to make and so tasty! It is wonderfully thick and creamy with plenty of nutmeg flavor. No need to buy store-bought eggnog when this recipe is so perfect for making at home!
An Easy Homemade Eggnog Recipe
We are BIG eggnog fans around here. If you’ve hung around much at Christmas time, you’ve surely seen me mention our intense love for it before. As soon it hits shelves, we stock up. However, now that I’ve got the BEST homemade eggnog recipe, I will no longer have any need for buying it!
This eggnog is super creamy and plenty thick! Store bought versions are often thin and disappointing and this one is the opposite. In fact, I use 7 egg yolks in this recipe to be sure you get plenty of creaminess! This Christmas drink is truly hard to stop sipping and I can pretty much guarantee you won’t have any leftovers.
What is Eggnog?
Eggnog is a milk and egg based drink that seems to date back to the 1800s when it was served during the winter holidays, as it still is today. It’s typically made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs and some spices. Many also like to add alcohol to it.
What Does Eggnog Taste Like?
To describe the flavor is difficult, but as the name suggests, much of the flavor and texture of this drink comes from the eggs. It’s kind of like drinking custard, but thinner and spiced with nutmeg and cloves. It’s pure beverage heaven!
What is Eggnog Made Of?
So you may be wondering, what exactly are eggnog ingredients? They are surprisingly simple! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Egg yolks – I use a little more egg yolk than you might typically find – 7 large egg yolks to be exact. They add TONS of flavor and SO MUCH creaminess! It also makes it nice and thick, which is a must for us!
- Sugar – To sweeten.
- Milk and Cream – The base of eggnog, along with the eggs. You could adjust the amounts of these a bit, but I find that a little more milk than cream gives you a nice, creamy nog without it being too much.
- Nutmeg, Cloves, Salt, Vanilla extract – For flavor. The nutmeg and cloves add the perfect amount of spice, while the salt and vanilla add great flavor and shouldn’t be overlooked.
How to Make Eggnog
There are several ways to approach making eggnog. I’m personally not a big fan of uncooked versions and I don’t really love the texture when made with whipped egg whites. The egg whites just add a funky texture in my opinion. As a result, this recipe is cooked and uses just the egg yolks. It’s also super quick and easy to make!
Step 1: Whip the egg yolks and sugar
To begin, you’ll add the egg yolks and sugar to a mixer bowl and whip until pale and creamy. It’ll take about 6-8 minutes and will add air and volume to the egg yolks, while helping the sugar dissolve.
Step 2: Combine milk, cream & spices, then simmer
Next, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a large saucepan and heat until it begins to simmer.
Step 3: Add the egg mixture
You’ll then want to temper the egg yolks by adding a small amount of the hot cream to the egg yolks while whisking constantly and quickly. Continue adding small amounts of the hot cream while whisking until it’s all been added, then add everything back to the saucepan.
Step 4: Cook until eggnog reaches 160F-170F
Continue cooking until the mixture reaches between 160 and 170 degrees, then remove from heat and remove the cloves. Add the vanilla extract and refrigerate until cold.
Step 5: Cool and enjoy!
The eggnog will thicken as it cools and end up wonderfully thick and creamy! It’s got amazing flavor and is sure to be a big hit!
Can I Add Alcohol?
You can make spiked eggnog by added alcohol to the finished drink. It will thin it out a bit, but it’ll also make things a little more merry.
The most common alcohol to use is brandy, rum (I prefer a spiced rum), bourbon or whiskey.
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Homemade Eggnog Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 1/4 cups, 3-4 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Eggnog Recipe is insanely easy to make and so tasty! It is wonderfully thick and creamy with plenty of nutmeg flavor. No need to buy store-bought eggnog when this recipe is so perfect for making at home!
Ingredients
- 7 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) milk
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 whole cloves, optional
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Add egg yolks and sugar to a large mixer bowl and whip on medium speed until creamy, pale and smooth, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a medium to large saucepan, heat milk, cream, nutmeg, cloves and salt over medium heat until it begins to simmer, stirring regularly.
3. When the milk mixture begins to simmer, add a small amount to the egg yolks, whisking quickly constantly to temper the eggs and keep them from scrambling. Add small amounts of additional milk/cream at a time, whisking to combine, until all has been incorporated.
4. Add the milk and egg mixture back to the saucepan and continue heating until it reaches 160-170 degrees.
5. Remove from heat, then add the vanilla extract and remove the cloves.
6. Pour into a container and refrigerate until cold. Eggnog is best is used within 2-3 days.
Notes
If you’d like to add alcohol to your eggnog, I’d recommend starting with about 1/4 cup and adding more to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 355
- Sugar: 31.5 g
- Sodium: 657.6 mg
- Fat: 21.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Protein: 9.2 g
- Cholesterol: 365.3 mg
Keywords: homemade eggnog recipe, eggnog recipe, easy eggnog recipe, best alcohol for eggnog, eggnog drink, how to make eggnog
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This seems very similar to custard. How does it differ? From South Africa, we don’t really have it. We do do gliwine if you have a nice recipefor that? Ever thought of brewing own liquor? Like peach?
It is very similar to custard, but drinkable. Here, we call it eggnog. I’m not familiar with gliwine or brewing my own liquor.
I haven’t made eggnog but your recipe sounds awesome !
Proverbs 3:5 ,6 trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him and He will direct your paths !
Can it be frozen
Eggnog is usually OK frozen for about a month.
Yummy! This looks and sounds excellent! Love me some thick eggnog. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas, Lindsay!
Thanks Krista! Merry Christmas to you as well!
can I use ground cloves? and if so, how much would you recommend. Thanks
I personally think using the whole clothes would be better. They kind of steep in the milk a little bit and add some flavor without it being too much. If you use ground cloves, I would add just a pinch.