Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog

Written 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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Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Updated 04/07/21
Non-alcoholic holiday eggnog

 The Spruce
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Chill Time: 4 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 12 to 16 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
122 Calories
6g Fat
11g Carbs
5g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 16
Amount per serving
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 115mg 38%
Sodium 96mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 87mg 7%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 121mg 3%
*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.)

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 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.

1:17

Click Play to See This Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 4 cups whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

  • Additional grated nutmeg, garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe ingredients
    ​

  2. Combine the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a heavy 3-or 4-quart pan, whisking until well-combined.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Continue whisking while pouring the milk in a slow, steady stream until completely incorporated.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
     The Spruce

  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 45 to 60 minutes.

  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.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
    The Spruce 

  6. Add the vanilla extract and nutmeg, stirring to combine.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
     The Spruce

  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.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
     The Spruce

  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.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
     The Spruce

  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.

    Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe
    The Spruce

Raw Egg Warning

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

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 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.

Is Eggnog Unhealthy?

This recipe eliminates the concern over raw eggs, but do keep in mind that it contains milk, cream, and sugar, making it a high-calorie drink. Thus, it is best to enjoy in moderation over the holidays.