Homemade Eggnog Recipe is so rich and creamy. This easy eggnog recipe has the perfect blend of spices for a great holiday drink.
Eggnog is such a classic drink to enjoy during Christmas. It just goes hand in hand with the holidays. I love the smooth and creamy way it tastes with a hint of sweetness. It’s the best and this recipe does not disappoint.
If you have been buying eggnog at the grocery store, try this homemade traditional eggnog recipe instead. I will warn you though, it is SO much better than anything store bought.
If you love eggnog also try Eggnog Waffles, Eggnog Milkshake Recipe, and Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls. Also check out this Homemade Apple Cider Recipe.
What's in this post: Homemade Eggnog Recipe
Why We Love This Recipe
Eggnog is a must to enjoy during the holidays. I love this eggnog base because of how easy it is to make and I usually always have the ingredients.
You can easily add in alcohol of your choice to enjoy with friends and family. The texture of this eggnog is creamy and has the best flavor.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
How to Make Eggnog
Step 1 – Whisk together the raw egg yolks and the sugar until this mixture is light and creamy.
Step 2 – Get out a saucepan and turn the stove to medium heat. Add the heavy cream, milk and ground cinnamon.
- Step 3 – Stir all of this together and heat until the mixture reaches a simmer. Don’t let it boil! You will need to watch it closely and don’t walk away from the stove.
Step 3 – Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture. It is really important that you do this gradually so you don’t scramble the eggs.
Step 4 – Continue to follow this process until all the milk has been added to the egg mixture.
- Step 5 – After all of the milk has been added, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.
- Step 6 – Then heat on medium low heat and continue to whisk until the mixture is slightly thickened. Keep in mind that it will thicken some more as it cools.
- Step 7 – Just remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Place the eggnog in the refrigerator to chill and thickened.
This is optional but I like to serve it with homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Expert Tips
- Hot Milk Mixture – You want to allow this mixture to simmer and not boil. Watch closely as it heats on the stovetop. Slowly add this to the egg mixture so you do not cook the eggs. I normally do a spoonful at a time and whisk after each spoonful is added.
- Eggnog Mixture – The mixture will thicken as it cools in the refrigerator. Make sure to give time for it to cool before serving.
How to Store Eggnog
Put the eggnog in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This is such a time saver around the holidays and I love to make it in advance.
It saves time so you can do other things that need to be completed on the holiday or day of the party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brandy, rum, bourbon or whiskey are the most common choices for eggnog. Use what you prefer. Homemade eggnog is the best. You can’t go wrong with this delicious recipe. Make it a new tradition to make eggnog from scratch. It is so rich and creamy. The flavor can’t be beat.
There really isn’t any comparison once you try homemade. It is SO much better than store-bought eggnog. I think you will be pleasantly surprised just how easy it is to make this.
In order to make this safe to drink without bacteria or salmonella, the mixture with the eggs needs to be cooked. This process is done very gradually with heated milk so that you don’t scramble the eggs. Most people prefer cooked eggnog as opposed to raw because it provides a richer flavor.
More Easy Holiday Recipes
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Homemade Eggnog Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large Egg Yolks
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
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Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 6 large egg yolks and 1 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light in color and creamy.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 2 cups whole milk, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to simmer.
- Next gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture (1 spoonful at a time) whisking after the addition of each spoonful. You want to gradually add in the heated milk so that you do not scramble the eggs. Follow this process until all the milk has been added to the egg mixture.
- Then pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.
- Heat on medium low heat and whisk until the mixture is slightly thickened. It will thicken more as it cools.
- Remove from the heat and stir in ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Store in the mixture in the refrigerator until chilled and thickened.
- Serve topped with fresh whipped cream and additional cinnamon if you prefer.
- Enjoy!
This is better than any store bought egg nog I’ve ever had. It’s so creamy! Perfect!!
Thank you so much!
Absolutely silky smooth without being too sweet.
How many cups is a serving?
It’s approximately 1 cup per serving but each batch is different so it will vary. A serving is approximately 1/4 of the entire recipe.