How to Make Egg Nog
By stephhicks68
Egg Nog is a Seasonal Treat
Each year, usually starting in early November, grocery stores start carrying egg nog in the dairy section, and coffee shops may offer delicious egg nog lattés.
The rich, creamy drink is thicker than milk or cream, and has a unique taste that many people associate with the holidays.
Egg nog "season" is a short one, usually lasting just into the New Year.
Egg nog can be enjoyed on its own as a non-alcoholic drink, or you can add brandy or rum for a winter cocktail. To dilute the rich flavor (and to save a few calories) we often cut egg nog with 2% milk (2 parts egg nog to 1 part milk). Enjoy eggnog cold or warm. In a punch, egg nog is delicious served ice cold with whipped cream on top. Heated in a mug, egg nog can be a perfect warm winter drink, too. Egg nog is also delicious used as coffee creamer. It can also be made into decadent ice cream!
Not only can you enjoy egg nog as a drink, but it can be used in other recipes from cheesecake to french toast. If you want to extend your enjoyment of the seasonal treat, read on to learn how to make homemade egg nog!
Prep Time for Classic No-Cook Egg Nog
- Prep time:
- Ready in:
- Yields: Serves 10-12
How do you Rate this No-Cook Egg Nog Recipe?
Classic Egg Nog Recipe - Easy Recipe for Egg Nog
I'm going to tell you how we make classic egg nog at my home. Be advised that you can purchase egg nog mix to combine with your own milk or cream. While this might be a small step up from the cartons of egg nog you can buy at the grocery store, 100% homemade egg nog still tastes the best.
Because I have four children, a few pets, a husband and a busy job, I appreciate the fact that this egg nog recipe is so easy. I don't have hours to spend over a hot stove. I want the classic taste, and I want it within an hour!
Since most of the people in my home are under the age of 21, I make our egg nog non-alcoholic. Of course, you can always add brandy, cognac or rum to the recipe for a delicious holiday cocktail.
Classic Egg Nog Recipe (No Cook and Non-Alcoholic): Serves 10-12
Ingredients:
- 12 egg yolks
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract or rum extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 pint of heavy cream, whipped
- 1/2 gallon of 2% or whole milk (8 cups)
- grated nutmeg for garnish
Instructions:
With an electric mixer, beat egg yolks and powdered sugar together until smooth and slightly thickened. Add extract for flavoring and allspice and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with the electric mixer until soft peaks form. In a large pitcher, combine egg mixture and milk, fold in whipped cream.
Refrigerate until serving and stir before pouring into glasses. Top with grated nutmeg if desired.
If you wish to make an alcoholic version of this eggnog recipe, omit the extract and add 1/4 cup dark rum or brandy.
Try this Egg Nog Recipe too
 | Amazon Price: $17.24 List Price: $21.60 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.97 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.97 List Price: $22.50 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.32 |
 | Amazon Price: $5.68 List Price: $9.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.16 List Price: $23.00 |
History of Egg Nog
There are a number of legends that purport to be the historic roots of the Egg Nog drink. Some believe that American colonists imported a milk and wine punch from England and then replaced wine with rum. Because another word for rum was "grog," egg and grog soon became shortened to "eggnog."
Hundreds of years before settlers arrived in the New World, people in England were drinking "Egg Flip," a milk punch mixed with alcohol, beer and spices. Originally, the concoction was made for medicinal purposes, but over the years, it became a drink to toast the health of celebrants. Due to the lack of refrigeration, milk could not be kept long, so Egg Flip or eggnog had to be consumed immediately and usually was only enjoyed by the wealthy.
Another theory on the history of egg nog is that the word is derived from "noggin," which is a wooden mug historically used to serve drinks at taverns. While eggnog has been around for many years, since at least the 1600s, there are many recipes and derivations of the original drink with an egg and cream/milk base, fortified with wine or liquor. The classic winter cocktail, Tom and Jerry, is closely related to egg nog.
President George Washington was reputably a big fan of eggnog, making an especially fortified version that only the bravest of souls would try during the holiday season. No matter its origins, egg nog today is a traditional drink for toasting the good cheer of your drinking mates. That is why it is commonly consumed during the holiday season.
Suggested Flavorings and Liquors for Homemade Egg Nog
Feel free to experiment with your own favorite flavors in your eggnog. Try adding 1-2 teaspoons any one of the following:
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint extract
- Almond extract
Alcoholic egg nog is a favorite winter drink and fun to serve at parties. Try 2-3 ounces of any of these liquors per serving of eggnog:
- Rum, regular or "spiced"
- Brandy, regular or flavored
- Coffee liquor
- Single malt scotch
Easy Cooked Egg Nog Recipe
The classic egg nog recipe above is certainly easy and takes little time to prepare, but some people are concerned about uncooked eggs and potential risks. This easy cooked egg nog recipe that serves 10 people ensures that any bacteria is killed, so you can enjoy your winter drink without worry. Plus, you can make it with, or without alcohol.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2-1/2 cups of 2% or whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup rum (optional), or 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preparation:
Combine eggs and granulated sugar in a saucepan, whisking together. Add milk. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Place the saucepan in a large bowl of iced water and stir until mixture is cool. Refrigerate.
Next, use an electric mixer to combine heavy cream and powdered sugar with an electric mixer. Beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in rum or rum extract, then fold this whipped cream mixture into the cooled custard. Pour eggnog into serving bowl, or ladle into individual glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired.
Another Egg Nog Recipe from Good Housekeeping
Other Egg Nog Recipes
- The Best Christmas Eggnog in the World
- Eggnog Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network
- Eggnog recipes: 20+ appetizing drink recipes.
- How to Make Eggnog
- Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe | Simply Recipes
- Eggnog French Toast & leftover eggnog ideas - Home Cooking - Chowhound
- More Recipes Like Holiday Eggnog Pie - All Recipes
- Recipes Using Eggnog...Beyond the Mug | MyRecipes.com
What to do with Leftover Egg Nog
Its hard to believe that you might have leftover egg nog!
But, if you have made a large batch and holiday guests have not consumed all the eggnog, you can add it to some other recipes.
Because egg nog is made with milk, eggs, cream and sugar, it makes an excellent base for breakfast recipes like french toast, pancakes and muffins. Some recipes for cookies, scones, cupcakes, cheesecake and fudge include eggnog. You can even use it in pie crust!
This time of year, consider using eggnog for any recipe you would otherwise stir in milk or cream. Try hot oatmeal or other cereal with egg nog. Make a bread pudding or rice pudding with eggnog instead of milk. Of course eggnog is great stirred into coffee or tea, as well.
Vegan Egg Nog!
Have Something to Say?
Did you enjoy this article? If so, please leave me a comment below and tell me what you liked best!
For more information about the author, Stephhicks68, please visit my profile page here on HubPages.
Want to join in the fun and publish here too? Why not sign up here? Its FREE!
Comments
Great writing! Your egg nog hub blows my egg nog hub out of the water. :(
This sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing. Have a lovely weekend.
perfect timing
Thank you
Kimberly
Nothing says Christmas like egg nog and you have really covered all the bases-- I love that you have covered so many different ways to make egg nog so that everyone from vegans to tee-totalers can enjoy. Voting up
Hi MsLizzy,
I'm with you on the beer/eggnog mix. No thanks! I wrote this hub because my kids love eggnog and we wanted to make our own this weekend. The stuff at the grocery store is fairly good tasting, but I like knowing what I am consuming without preservatives, etc.
Apricot brandy egg nog sounds absolutely awesome!! Cheers, Steph
Hey Charlotte - I'm off to go check out your eggnog hub! There are so many different ways to make egg nog, I'm looking forward to your article, too! Best, Steph
Hi Thelma and Kimberly,
Eggnog is the best drink for the holiday season! Hope you enjoy. Cheers, Steph
I love egg nog I didn't know it was this simple to make. I'm so glad I found your hub. I'm going to try the cooked version this weekend. Thanks so much!
Hi Robie,
Thanks! There really is an egg nog drink for everyone. :) Eggnog is my favorite Christmas/holiday concoction. I just have to watch the portion sizes. Happy Holidays, Steph
My sons are always trying to make homemade eggnog and sometimes it comes out pretty good. This year I will make your recipes for this festive drink. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Both of your recipes sound great! To me, what really sets the homemade apart from store bought is the folded in whipped cream--and the booze. I usually use both rum and whiskey! A good hub to bookmark. Voted up and awesome.
Steph! With these last two hubs you are really getting me into the holiday spirit!! I could drink eggnog all year round! Great hub and voted up, up and away!
When I make creams (candy centers), I always have egg yokes left over. I got an egg nog fudge recipe from my sister that I was already planning to make this year. Now I can use those egg yokes for homemade eggnog. There should be plenty left over to drink, too. Thanks for a very timely hub. Voted up, useful, and interesting
Yum, I think I need to try this one. Great post!
humm yummmmyy.. getting into the holiday mode
carrie
WOW !!! I can taste it now; wonderful recipes and just in time for the holidays. Thanks, rated up and beautiful...
I thought egg nog came from cardboard containers. I didn't know you could actually make it!
Hi Steph,
Enjoyed this detailed hub about making egg nogg. I have also bookmarked it so that I can visit it again for the recipe. Beautiful pictures and helpful videos! Voted Up, Awesome, and Useful. :0)
I never wanted to by eggnog from the supermarket because of all the preservatives. Thanks to you and your great recipe I will make my own this year.
I liked the history lesson as well.
Wonderful hub!
Voted up and awesome.:)
Thanks everyone for the awesome comments. So nice to be able to make and enjoy homemade egg nog, rather than the stuff from the cardboard boxes at the grocery store! I've been offline over the weekend and catching up with reading your responses to the hub. Best to all, Steph
This article is inspiring. My husband loves eggnog. Maybe it's about time to make our own. Thanks for sharing.
stephhicks68, Thank you for highlighting the wondrous holiday delight known as egg nog and for providing recipes for both cooked and uncooked eggs. My favorite egg nog is peppermint with cinnamon; it's visually beautiful and a sweet taste sensation. Also it's great to provide suggestions for recycling leftover egg nog; I love peppermint cinnamon egg nog pie in a cinnamon chocolate crust which also comprises leftover egg nog --- it's great.
Thanks also for the Veggie Chef on vegan egg nog; charmingly presented.
Yum! Peppermint - cinnamon egg nog! Sounds so yummy. Baked into pie crust, eggnog is a real treat too. Enjoy the season! Best, Steph
StephHicks68: What a fascinating, informative, useful discussion of the serving possibilities with homemade eggnog and even its leftovers! Both of your recipes are enticing, as are your suggestions for adding leftover amounts into French toast, pie crusts and desserts. One of my favorite ice creams in fact is eggnog, particularly the last week of the year.
Thank you for sharing, voted up, etc.,
Derdriu
P.S. The illustrations and the YouTubes are making me hungry and impatient for the end-of-the-year holidays and their festive foods. Your homemade eggnog recipe definitely will be part of the fare this year.
Hi, Steph. I love egg nog. I really enjoy your recipe and the video as well. Thanks for writing and share with us. I can't wait to make it soon. Useful hub from you. Rated up! Cheers...
Prasetio
I love homemade egg nog. I've made a simple recipe before (yes, with raw eggs!), but I like your recipe with the powdered sugar. I may have to try that one. The store-bought versions are much too thick; I, too, thinned them out with milk.
Great ideas on using the leftover egg nog, too. It would be perfect for french toast. Voted this hub up, useful, interesting, and awesome. Bookmarking! Thanks!
Steph, thanks for sharing the history and recipe for eggnog here. I have not ever made my own, but would like to sometime. The different flavors sound fun, and the history is great to know about too. :)
Thank you all! Homemade eggnog is definitely a treat this time of year. If you like to experiment with recipes, I definitely suggest trying these tips to make egg nog at your home. Happy holidays! Steph
Fantastic, this is just the recipe I need.
Thanks
Hi dobo,
Hope you enjoy the homemade egg nog! Happy Holidays! Steph
....Ok and who doesn't like egg nog?? Lovin' it. Not sure about the vegan egg nog, or actually making my own, but I remember barely being able to wait for the holiday season just to get some egg nog. Cheers!
Cheers to you, too, adrienne! To me, nothing says the holidays better than delicious egg nog! Best, Steph
DzyMsLizzy 6 months ago
Hi, Steph!
Fascinating history, to be sure. I don't think I'd care much for the older concoctions..eggnog and beer?? Uhhh... I'll pass, thanks..
But thanks for including both the cooked version and the veggie version!
I've not made homemade eggnog at all since I was a teenager...well before all the salmonella scares. In any case, we mostly always bought commercial varieties, preferring the consistency and flavor...so I'll definitely have to give these a try.
(We never made it with alcohol, nor did we add any to the main supply of commercial stuff...the liquour always went individually into each serving glass. Our favorite is apricot brandy.)
Voted up all around!