How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (2024)

by Mary 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free.

Have you ever wondered how to make eggnog without alcohol? This easy non-alcoholic homemade eggnog is the perfect companion for any holiday gathering. Homemade custard, maple whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg will make this a new holiday tradition for your family.

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (1)

Store bought eggnog is pretty gross, in my opinion. After trying the overpowering, sickeningly sweet drink from that green carton several times growing up, I was decidedly against eggnog.

That is, until I got brave enough to try my mom’s homemade eggnog. From then on, my aversion was replaced with love for this frothy winter drink that tastes a lot like ice cream!

This homemade eggnog recipe begins with a simple custard, then adds whipped egg whites and homemade maple whipped cream. It is nothing short of divine! Even my boys love what they call “the ice cream drink.”

Even better, this recipe is non alcoholic, which makes it the perfect drink for any gathering. No need to worry about serving it to underage people or those who don’t drink (including myself). It’s great for everyone!

Originally, alcohol was used in this recipe to preserve the eggs and eliminate the risk of bacteria. We’ll talk more in a bit about why this recipe is still safe sans alcohol.

Right up there with homemade wassail, this might just be my new favorite Christmas drink.

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (2)

Why homemade eggnog is better than store bought

Is it really worth the effort to make your own eggnog? Definitely yes. I’ll tell you why.

Here are the typical store bought eggnog ingredients:

Grade A Milk & Cream, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Egg Yolks, Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Spices, Carrageenan, Annatto (color), Turmeric (color).

HFCS as the #2 ingredient? Carrageenan? No thank you. We can do better.

Additionally, the FDA is so strict about the use of raw eggs in commercial products that the egg yolk solids are restricted to 1% of the final product. So basically, you’re buying a non-eggy eggnog.

Which kind of defeats the purpose.

That being said, you do have to be careful with the consumption of raw eggs (especially young children, pregnant women or people with health issues). But know that the risk of contamination is extremely small. Read this quote from The Nourished Life about the safety of raw eggs:

…only 1 in 30,000 eggs even has a salmonella problem. If I eat three raw eggs a day, statistics say it would take more than 27 years before I’d actually run across one with salmonella. Of course, I know life isn’t about statistics, but you get the point.

Elizabeth Walling from The Nourished Life
So, raw eggs are generally safe – as long as you’re healthy and the eggs are really fresh. But consume at your own risk.

The nutmeg and vanilla extract may also act as a bit of a natural preservative.

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (3)

Homemade eggnog nutrition

Homemade eggnog is actually really good for you! Here’s the ingredients list:

Whole milk, eggs , organic sugar, whipping cream (with maple syrup), vanilla extract and nutmeg.

Not too shabby!

And here are some of the nutritious things inside:

  • Great balance of carbs, fat, and protein.
  • Eggs contain fat soluble vitamins and lots of B vitamins.
  • Eggs are also a great source of Omega-3s (for brain health) and lecithin (for liver and skin).
  • Milk and whipped cream are great sources of calcium and healthy fats.
  • Nutmeg has a high concentration of manganese, which is wonderful for the blood among other benefits (source).
How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (4)

Homemade eggnog recipe notes

  • This homemade eggnog has cooked yolks, but the whites are raw. So it’s very important that you use the freshest, best quality eggs you can find. Consume at your own risk.
  • When making the custard, keep in mind it will not be very thick. The main point is to heat it to steaming but DO NOT boil. It will thicken slightly and coat the spoon lightly, but the egg whites and cream are what really thickens the mixture.
  • You may use store bought whipped cream, but homemade is super easy and sooooo much better. It only takes a minute or so to whip the cream with an electric mixer.
  • Keeps in the fridge for 3 days (although eggnog never sticks around in our house).
How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (5)

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (6)

Print

Easy Homemade Eggnog (non alcoholic)

Have you ever wondered how to make eggnog without alcohol? Homemade custard, maple whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg create the perfect holiday eggnog!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3cuppure cane sugarorganic
  • 2egg yolks
  • 1/4 tspsalt
  • 1/8tspground nutmeg
  • 4cupswhole milk
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3 TBSPpure cane sugar
  • 1 tspvanilla extract
  • 1/2cupheavy whipping cream
  • 1 TBSPmaple syrup

Instructions

  1. Beat 1/3 cup sugar into egg yolks. Add salt, stir in milk, and heat on medium heat to make the custard.

  2. Stir frequently as the mixture heats for approximately 15 minutes. Do not allow mixture to boil. It will thicken slightly until it lightly coats the spoon. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

  3. Beat whipping cream and maple syrup together until peaks form. Set aside.

  4. Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar, beating until soft peaks form.

  5. Add egg whites, vanilla, and half the whipped cream to custard and mix thoroughly.

  6. Chill 3-4 hours before serving.

  7. Garnish with additional whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg, if desired.

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (7)

5-Day Traditional Real Food Meal Plan

Think eating healthy meals with nourishing ingredients 3 times a day is hard? Think again!

This meal plan has 5 breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even a couple of desserts and snacks — ALL made with real food ingredients prepared the traditional gut-friendly way. Jump start your family’s health today!

By requesting this free download, you’ll be added to our email newsletter. Unsubscribe anytime, no hard feelings.

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (8)

Try these other favorite holiday recipes:

  • Lighter Pumpkin Roll
  • Classic Holiday Wassail
  • Cranberry Wassail

Enjoy your homemade ‘nog! Have you ever tried homemade?

With Joy,

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (9)

PIN IT!

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (10)
How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (11)

About Mary

Mary is a minister's wife, mom of two boys, and former missionary to Scotland. She’s also the creator of Healthy Christian Home, where she points to God's spiritual and physical nourishment through the natural world He has created. In her free time, you can find her with a cup of hot tea and a stack of books -- or watching a new BBC series.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (12)Francis Berenson Willharst says

    Amazing! I had a sudden craving for eggnog (even in the summer), and don’t want to go to the stores because of SARS COV-2 (coronavirus), hence, I set out to look for eggnog recipes. Others were too complicated or needed bottles of alcohol (where am I going to find those?!!). But then, I found this recipe, and it satisfied my craving for eggnog. Reminded me of the eggnog my grandmother used to make for us (mostly me) every birthday and Christmas.
    Keep up the good recipes (maybe do one for homemade egg rolls),
    Frank

    Reply

    • How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (13)Mary says

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind review!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

How to Make Eggnog Without Alcohol {a recipe everyone will love!} (2024)

FAQs

What do most people spike eggnog with? ›

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.

How long does homemade eggnog last? ›

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 makes eggnog better? ›

trick for turning it into a delightful holiday drink: I shake the eggnog in a co*cktail shaker with lots of ice—with or without alcohol—to dilute it a bit, make it light and frothy, and make it extra cold.

How is homemade eggnog safe? ›

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

What's the best liquor to mix with eggnog? ›

The three most common boozy eggnog mix-ins are brandy, rum, and bourbon.

Is it OK to drink a lot of eggnog? ›

“Think what's in it: heavy cream, milk, sugar, whipped eggs and alcohol.” And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.

How to thicken up eggnog? ›

To make it thicker, use less milk. 1 cup of whole milk will make a smooth eggnog, but if you know that you like a thicker eggnog, stir in only ½ cup of milk. Once it chills and thickens a little in the fridge, add more milk to thin it out to your liking.

Can you freeze eggnog to make it last longer? ›

If you want to extend the shelf life of eggnog beyond a few days, freezing is the way to go. Frozen eggnog lasts up to six months. Beyond this period of time, the quality of the eggnog will start to drop, so your best bet is to consume it within 4-6 months.

Does eggnog get better with age? ›

Aged eggnog requires planning ahead. It must be aged for at least three weeks, and most recipes stress that it improves with more time — one version suggests a year.

What makes eggnog unhealthy? ›

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

How to jazz up egg nog? ›

Fortified wines add complexity. Swap an ounce of your chosen liquor for an ounce of Port (this works especially well with rum or brandy) or Madeira (mixed with rum, this variation makes the historic Baltimore Eggnog). Add chilled coffee or cold-brew coffee for a creamy nog that channels a mocha latte vibe.

What is golden eggnog? ›

Golden eggnog is a traditional holiday drink made from a combination of milk, cream, sugar, and beaten eggs. The mixture is typically flavored with vanilla, nutmeg, and sometimes a splash of rum or bourbon, giving it a warm and indulgent taste.

Does homemade eggnog taste better? ›

You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Why did my homemade eggnog curdle? ›

What if my eggnog gets curdled. There is a high possibility it can get curdled slightly at 2 stages, one is when you are cooking the egg yolk and the milk mixture on the stove. And the other stage is when adding alcohol into the mix. If this happens don't worry, just blend it in a blender until smooth.

Can kids have store-bought eggnog? ›

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.

What do people eat eggnog with? ›

The best side dishes to serve with eggnog are biscuits, tapioca pudding, almond milk yogurt, chocolate cake, creme brulee donuts, candied pecans, cornbread, cinnamon rolls, fruitcake, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and chocolate fondue.

What percentage of people drink eggnog? ›

The classic creamy holiday drink is made with beaten egg yolks, cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, or grated nutmeg, and often, whiskey or rum. According to a 2022 YouGov survey, 25% of Americans say eggnog is their favorite holiday drink.

What is eggnog traditionally served in? ›

Eggnog is a drink primarily made with eggs (hence the name) and milk, and is traditionally served at large gatherings in a punch bowl during the winter season, primarily at Christmas.

What alcohol goes best with eggnog reddit? ›

Brandy or rum are traditional egg nog spirits. If you get a spiced rum like Captain Morgan, it will have nice sweet vanilla notes to it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 6365

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.