Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2024)

By

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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Prep: 50 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Chill Time: 4 hrs

Total: 5 hrs 35 mins

Servings: 8to 10 servings

Yield: 5 cups

233 ratings

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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

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

Is it OK for kids to drink 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.

Is eggnog safe to drink without alcohol? ›

“While only 1 in every 20,000 eggs contains salmonella, no one wants to spend their holiday in the hospital,” the University of Wyoming Extension says. But since store-bought eggnog has already been pasteurized, it's safe to drink with no additional preparation, the University of Minnesota Extension says.

What is non alcoholic eggnog made of? ›

To make this homemade eggnog without alcohol, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below): dairy - heavy cream and whole milk. spices and seasoning - nutmeg, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt. egg - you will need eggs and extra egg yolks.

How long is non alcoholic eggnog good for after opening? ›

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 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's the difference between eggnog and holiday nog? ›

(What's the difference between eggnog and Holiday Nog? Eggnog must have a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight; Holiday Nog, which Spangler called a flavored milk product, has 2 percent butterfat and less than 1 percent egg yolk by weight.)

Who should not drink eggnog? ›

It's Easy to Make Eggnog Safer

The bacteria can make anyone sick, but young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says.

How do you make eggnog safe to drink? ›

Use pasteurized eggs for eggnog

Eggnog may be safely made at home by using whole, liquid or pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs are found next to regular eggs at the store. Egg substitutes can also be used. These products have also been pasteurized.

Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›

He warns that the most concerning issues with eggnog come from the milk and cream. “The risks from raw dairy are more well established,” Schaffner said, adding that they can also lead to other bacteria including listeria, e. coli and campylobacter. “Don't count on alcohol to kill the bacteria,” declared James E.

Does anyone make eggnog year round? ›

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 can I drink instead of eggnog? ›

5 Fun Alternatives to Eggnog
  1. Smari Spiked Eggnog.
  2. Almondy Umami Eggnog.
  3. 100 calorie Eggnog Latte.
  4. Vegan Eggnog.
  5. Coffee Smoothie with Brandy & Spices (for those who don't like eggnog)

Can you freeze eggnog? ›

Eggnog may be frozen for up to six months. For best results, freeze eggnog in a container with a little extra room (about 1/2-inch of space from the top) to allow for expansion during freezing. Frozen egg nog should be good for about 6 months, whether it is store bought or home made.

Is eggnog good for your stomach? ›

“Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

What is in Evan Williams egg nog? ›

Evan Williams Egg Nog

Our Original Southern Egg Nog is made with smooth Kentucky Bourbon and real dairy cream.

Does holiday nog go bad? ›

Store-bought eggnog lasts 5-7 days after opening if it has been refrigerated. Canned eggnog lasts 4 to 5 months and around 5-7 days after opening.

Can 11 year olds drink eggnog? ›

“According to the American Heart Association, kids ages 2-18 should have less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day,” says Silverman. “Eggnog has a good amount of sugar in the drink that could bump a kid's intake for the day. The fat can also be high if a large dose of cream is part of the recipe.”

What happens when you age eggnog? ›

They found, unanimously, that aged nog was mellower and smoother than fresh nog. Similarly, Alton Brown says that "the longer the nog ages, the more mellow it will get." In The Art of Eating, Holly Jennings found three-week nog to be "rounder, smoother, and noticeably more complex."

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.

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