Ah, eggnog. That thick, creamy wintertime drink that somehow manages to taste like Christmas itself. Whether you love it spiked or not, hot or chilled, with nutmeg or cinnamon or both—eggnog is that nostalgic hug we all secretly crave.
You don’t need to be a pro mixologist or a holiday chef to pull off an amazing batch. Actually, you can whip up some of these recipes in under 10 minutes. Some of ’em even start with store-bought eggnog, and honestly? No shame in that.
Let’s dive into 18 easy eggnog recipes that’ll turn your holidays into an absolute flavor fest. Ready?
1. Classic Homemade Eggnog
Start simple. Real simple. Just eggs, cream, sugar, and a pinch of nutmeg. Beat the yolks with sugar, add warm milk slowly (so ya don’t scramble the eggs), and chill it. Add bourbon or rum if you’re feelin’ festive.
Serve it cold, dust with extra nutmeg. Tastes like cozy nights and old Christmas songs.
2. Quick Blender Eggnog
Got no time? Toss eggs, sugar, milk, and heavy cream in a blender. Boom. Add a splash of vanilla and whatever booze you like. Blend till smooth. Chill it, and sip.
It’s weirdly smooth, almost too easy, like “why don’t I make this all year?” easy.
3. Eggnog Latte
This one’s for the caffeine freaks. Warm up eggnog and strong coffee in a saucepan. Don’t boil it, just cozy it up. Add cinnamon. Whisk it till it’s frothy-ish.
Perfect for cold mornings where even your bones feel sleepy.
4. Spiked Eggnog Punch
This is the party version. One bottle bourbon. One carton eggnog. A bunch of whipped cream and cinnamon sticks floating on top. Maybe a sprinkle of nutmeg rain.
You make this in a big bowl and let your friends ladle it out like holiday magic. Crowd-pleaser for sure.
5. Vegan Eggnog
Yeah, you can still be dairy-free and jolly. Use almond milk or oat milk, coconut cream, maple syrup, a pinch of turmeric for color, and nutmeg. Blend it cold or heat it slow.
Add a little brandy if you swing that way. It’s creamy without guilt, and way better than you’d think.
6. Boozy Bourbon Eggnog
This one’s not for the faint-hearted. Use a generous pour of bourbon (or two), creamy eggnog, and a lil vanilla extract. Shake it up with ice and strain into a glass.
It’s like a southern hug in a cup. Warm. Bold. Slightly reckless.
7. Chocolate Eggnog
Oof, this one’s dangerous. Add cocoa powder or melted chocolate chips to your eggnog. Whisk it warm till it’s velvety and thick. You can spike it or not—it’ll still taste like holiday dessert in a mug.
Top with whipped cream and some shaved chocolate. You fancy now.
8. Eggnog French Toast
Leftover eggnog? Don’t waste it. Dip bread into a mixture of eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pan-fry till golden.
Crispy outside, custardy inside. Top with syrup, powdered sugar, berries—whatever’s in your fridge.
9. RumChata Eggnog
This one’s wildly underrated. Just mix store-bought eggnog with RumChata (it’s creamy cinnamon booze if you didn’t know). Pour over ice.
It’s chill. Sweet. Subtly spicy. Tastes like the holidays went on vacation to Mexico.
10. Eggnog Milkshake
Yeah, you heard me. Ice cream and eggnog. Blend till smooth. Add a dash of cinnamon or crushed candy cane on top.
It’s cold, creamy, ridiculous. Like Christmas broke the rules and got real fun.
11. Eggnog Custard Cups
Baking time. Combine eggnog, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Pour into ramekins. Bake in a water bath till just set.
Scoop with a spoon. It’s silky, rich, and doesn’t taste like you tried too hard (even though you did).
12. Iced Eggnog Cocktail
Need a drink that’s chill but festive? Ice, vodka, eggnog, and a lil coffee liqueur. Shake and strain. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar if you’re feelin’ extra.
It’s like a White Russian that met Santa Claus and got married in Vegas.
13. Eggnog Pancakes
Your breakfast just leveled up. Add eggnog to your pancake batter instead of milk. Maybe a pinch of nutmeg too.
Fluffy. Sweet. Smells like December mornings and happiness in a skillet.
14. Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog
Not everyone wants booze. No worries. Whisk eggs, sugar, milk, and cream. Heat gently. Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg.
Serve warm or cold. Nobody’ll miss the alcohol if the flavor sings loud enough.
15. Fireball Eggnog
Spicy, sweet, and strong. Just mix a shot of Fireball whiskey with cold eggnog. Stir and sip. Add cinnamon sticks if you wanna make it look fancy.
Warning: it’s smooth, and it creeps up on ya.
16. Coconut Eggnog (Puerto Rican Coquito-Inspired)
This one’s tropical Christmas. Use coconut milk, cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of rum. Add cinnamon and nutmeg.
Blend it cold. Chill it well. Pour it slow. This tastes like holidays under a palm tree.
17. Eggnog Ice Cream
Yup. Ice cream. Mix eggnog, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla. Pour into your ice cream maker and churn.
It’s creamy, dreamy, and just right next to warm apple pie.
18. Baked Eggnog Donuts
Your holiday mornings need this. Use eggnog in your donut batter, bake till golden. Dust with cinnamon sugar.
Dunk ‘em in your coffee or eat six in a row. No judgment. It’s Christmas.
Some Tips to Nail It Every Time
– Always taste before serving. Store-bought nog can be super sweet.
– Freshly grated nutmeg makes a difference. Like, way more than you’d expect.
– Chill your glasses. Makes cold nog taste even better.
– Don’t let your eggnog sit out too long. It spoils faster than leftover mashed potatoes.
– Want it thicker? Add more cream. Want it lighter? Add more milk. Your drink, your rules.
Let Eggnog Be Fun Again
Honestly, eggnog gets a bad rap sometimes. People say it’s too thick, too weird, too “old-lady.” But they’re just drinking the wrong one. These 18 recipes prove you can twist it, shake it, freeze it, fry it—whatever mood you’re in.
And don’t overthink it. Use what you have. Swap ingredients. Have fun. Eggnog isn’t meant to be perfect, it’s meant to be shared.
You can pour it in mugs with whipped cream clouds. Or swirl it into desserts. Or spike it with something dangerous and toast under the mistletoe.
Just don’t forget to say “cheers.”
Because the holidays are short. But a good eggnog memory? That stuff lasts forever.
