Bourbon Eggnog

Written by
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Colleen Graham
Updated 03/09/21
Spiced bourbon eggnog recipe for a holiday party

The Spruce / Teena Agnel
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
311 Calories
15g Fat
28g Carbs
6g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 311
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 149mg 50%
Sodium 70mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 6g
Calcium 87mg 7%
*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.)

Eggnog is great around the holidays, but homemade eggnog is even better. Despite common misconceptions, made-from-scratch eggnog is not difficult or time-consuming. This eggnog with bourbon recipe will show you just how easy and delicious eggnog can be, and you can use it to keep the holiday tradition alive.

Eggnog is typically made with eggs, sugar, spices, and a base liquor (traditionally rum or brandy) and there are many eggnog recipes available. The origins of eggnog can be traced back to the 17th century, and it has been a Christmas favorite ever since.

A whiskey-based eggnog like this one is best with a good, spicy bourbon. The flavors of the bourbon pair well with the holiday spices and create interesting layers of flavor. This recipe also features a little cognac and brandy-based orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) to create even more dimension. In many respects, this is not your average eggnog.

This recipe is straightforward to make and is far better than any prepared eggnog you will find at the market. It is delicious, flavorful, and a great way to impress friends and family during the holiday season. 

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • 6 ounces ​granulated sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon ​nutmeg, freshly grated
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 ounces cognac
  • 2 ounces orange liqueur, brandy-based
  • 4 ounces bourbon whiskey
  • 12 ounces whole milk
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • Optional: nutmeg or cinnamon, grated, for garnish

Steps to Make It

Note: It's strongly recommended to make this eggnog a day before you need it. The extra time allows all of the tastes to marry and become one delicious and impressive drink.

Make the Eggnog

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for bourbon eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  2. Blend the eggs for 1 minute in either a mixer fitted with a whip attachment or a blender.

    Eggs blended for eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel 

  3. Add the sugar and spices—nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon—and blend for an additional 30 seconds to incorporate.

    Sugar and spices added to blended eggs for eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  4. Slowly add the liquors—cognac, orange liqueur, and bourbon whiskey, and blend for another 30 seconds.

    Cognac, whiskey, and orange liqueur added to eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  5. Add the milk and cream and blend 1 minute more.

    Milk and cream mixed into eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  6. Cover and refrigerate.

    Eggnog in a pitcher

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

Serving the Bourbon Eggnog

This eggnog recipe will yield about eight 4-ounce drinks. If you want more, simply double or even triple the recipe.

  1. Portion out 4-ounces of eggnog into a champagne flute or teacup.

    Eggnog in cup

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  2. Grate fresh nutmeg or cinnamon over the top (optional).

    Fresh nutmeg grated over eggnog

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

  3. Serve and enjoy.

    Eggnog garnished with grated nutmeg and cinnamon stick

    ​The Spruce / Teena Agnel

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.

Are You Worried About Drinking Eggs?

Millions of people have survived drinking eggnog and other egg drinks and it is very rare that anyone gets sick from the eggs alone (eggnog-induced hangovers do not count!). However, it is understandable if you're a bit wary of drinking raw eggs. Put your mind at ease and know that there are a few things you can do to make sure your eggs are safe. If you like, you can even choose an egg substitute (though the drink really isn't the same).

If the thought really does bother you, skip the eggnog completely! There are many other traditional Christmas drinks that you can mix up instead.

Recipe Variation

  • Pour a vanilla liqueur instead of the orange liqueur.

Tips

  • Eggnog is typically served cold, but it is also delicious served warm.
  • Splash some in your coffee instead of using cream, or use it in puddings and cakes.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Homemade eggnog will last for up to 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
  • You can freeze eggnog if you'd like to have a taste after the holidays. It can be frozen for up to 6 months in a freezer storage container. Make sure you leave some headspace room for the eggnog to expand during freezing.

How Strong Is This Bourbon Eggnog?

We often hear the horror stories and running jokes about someone having a little too much eggnog at the Christmas party. It may surprise you to learn that the average eggnog is actually quite light (unless, of course, you add too much liquor). 


When made according to this recipe, your eggnog should be right around 10 percent ABV (20 proof). This means that one cup of eggnog should be about as strong as a glass of wine.