16 Best Holiday Eggnog Cocktail Recipes

Bourbon eggnog for a holiday party — The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

Few drinks fit the holiday season like a glass of eggnog. Yet, there are so many ways to enjoy this traditional drink. From classic party recipes to modern eggnog cocktails and many with international flair, you have a variety of tasty eggnog recipes to choose from.

Most eggnog recipes follow a basic formula: eggs are mixed with sugar, milk or cream, and liquor. You also have the choice between brandy, whiskey, or rum, no liquor at all, and even egg-free options. There really is a recipe for everyone, so let's get noggin'!

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Homemade Eggnog

The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

If you're seeking a very traditional eggnog recipe, this is the one for you. It includes all the basics and requires beating in the eggs the old-fashioned way. Made-from-scratch eggnog does not require any fancy or secret ingredients either and it's likely that you already have everything in your kitchen. It's a perfect way to keep holiday party traditions alive.
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Traditional Rum Eggnog

The Spruce

On a smaller scale, you can quickly make eggnog for just one or two people using your cocktail shaker. This recipe opts for rum, which makes the cocktail a little sweeter than the other liquor options. You'll also appreciate the extra flavor provided by almond and vanilla extracts, which combat some of that egg taste.
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Brandy Eggnog

The Spruce

When you don't want to waste any time, this brandy eggnog is a great option. It's a recipe that's so easy many bartenders rely on it. With brandy as the base, it requires just three other ingredients. If you thought eggnog was too difficult to make at home, think again and give this one a try!
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Bourbon Eggnog

The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

A variation of the traditional recipe, this bourbon eggnog is filled with layers of flavor. Not one, but three liquors are required and the combination of whiskey, Cognac, and Grand Marnier are a brilliant foundation for the seasonal spices. It's designed for a small party and can be prepared the night before.

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Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

The Spruce

Eggnog is a beverage that everyone can enjoy. While you can simply skip the liquor in any recipe, this one is designed to be nonalcoholic from the very start. It offers a fresher taste than store-bought eggnogs and you can store it for up to three days before whipping in the cream. Also, if you're worried about drinking raw eggs, this recipe offers a way around that.
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Easy Rum Eggnog

The Spruce Eats

Aged rum and ruby port add a dark, complex background flavor to this eggnog recipe. It's one of the quick versions that is shaken up by the glass. In just a few minutes you'll have luscious eggnog to enjoy without any of the extra fuss.
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Eggnog Martini

The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Make good use of pre-made eggnog with the eggnog martini recipe. With vanilla vodka and amaretto, this quick cocktail is a perfectly delicious way to use up a carton of eggnog. Add a little nutmeg and cinnamon and enjoy a festive martini.
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Gingerbread Eggnog

Leah Maroney

Very similar to the traditional recipes, the gingerbread eggnog is filled with tons of delicious flavors and can easily get any nog-hater to flip to the other side. Ginger and molasses along with the typical spices like allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, give it that yummy gingerbread flavor. The rum is optional, so it can also be nonalcoholic.

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White Christmas

The Spruce / Teena Agnel

Cartons of eggnog are not completely worthless. In fact, there are some pretty good options out there. If you have a favorite and are looking for a new way to enjoy it, try the white Christmas recipe. The cocktail pairs Southern Comfort and white chocolate liqueur with a healthy dose of premade eggnog and is rather delicious.
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Vegan Eggnog

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

That's right, eggnog without eggs! It seems like an oxymoron, but even people who follow a vegan diet can enjoy the taste of this holiday favorite. The key to this recipe is a combination of silken (soft) tofu and soy milk blended with vanilla extract and rum or brandy. It's surprisingly tasty and you might not even notice the difference.
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Coquito

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Another eggless option, the coquito is Puerto Rico's spin on eggnog. Rather than using eggs, this drink relies on coconut, rum, and traditional spices. The recipe makes a full punch and is best served cold.
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Rompope

Glasshouse Images / Getty Images

For the Mexican take on eggnog, look no further than rompope. This old-fashioned egg punch begins with blanched almonds, which are added to a warm blend of milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Egg yolks are added and the entire brew is heated slowly, while rum is added later. It's quite interesting and rather simple.

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Caribbean Punch de Creme Eggnog

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Another version from the Caribbean, on Christmas morning in Trinidad and Tobago, many people can be found drinking punch de creme. The recipe prefers dark rum and gets an intriguing spin from lime zest. To let the flavor develop properly, plan on mixing this one up a day in advance.
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Polish Kogel Mogel

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Kogel mogel is an old dessert recipe from Poland's Jewish communities. Essentially thick eggnog, the base is nothing more than egg yolks and honey, though there are other ingredients you can add. Try it with cocoa powder, raisins, or nuts, and spike it with rum or vodka if you like.
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Eierlikör Egg Liqueur Eierlikoer

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Eierlikör (or eierlikoer) is a popular homemade liquor from Germany. It's a heated blend of egg yolks, milk, cream, and vanilla that's spiked with both vodka and brandy. The longer you let its flavors develop before drinking it, the better it will be.
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Tom and Jerry

The Spruce

When you want to serve your eggnog on the warm side, turn to the classic Tom and Jerry recipe. It's a popular option at American bars around the holidays where it promotes a sense of community. You can make up the batter anytime you like and, when it's time to serve, simply add rum, brandy, and warm milk or water.