The Best Non Alcoholic Eggnog Recipe
Every December, when the house finally grows quiet after my little boy drifts off to sleep, I find myself in the kitchen creating the kind of cosy magic only a homemade non-alcoholic eggnog mocktail can bring.
For years I grabbed a carton of store-bought eggnog and called it a day. It was fine, but it never felt like the cosy Christmas drink I imagined. Then one year I finally tried a homemade eggnog – a proper classic eggnog recipe made on the stove – and that was it. I was hooked. It tasted like all the old fashioned Christmas drinks from the stories my parents told me, only creamier, thicker and somehow more “real”.
Think of it as your go-to holiday eggnog recipe, designed for busy mums, Christmas hosts, and anyone who wants an eggnog recipe that’s better than store-bought without spending all day in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Non-Alcoholic Eggnog Mocktail
If you’ve never tried eggnog from scratch, it can sound a bit intimidating. Eggs! Tempering! Cooking on the stove! But stay with me – this is absolutely an eggnog for beginners, and once you’ve made it once you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
Here’s what makes this, in my opinion, the best eggnog recipe:
- Incredibly creamy – Thanks to whole milk and eggnog with heavy cream, you get a thick and creamy homemade eggnog that still pours beautifully. It’s the ultimate creamy eggnog and feels like a luxurious creamy holiday drink.
- Perfectly spiced – This is a gently spiced eggnog with cloves, eggnog with nutmeg and cinnamon, plus vanilla. It tastes like a cosy winter drink idea straight from a Christmas market.
- Flexible – You can serve it as a boozy rum eggnog, a kid-friendly non-alcoholic eggnog, or even turn it into a holiday mocktail. It can be your Christmas party drink, your homemade eggnog for Christmas morning, or your quiet “me-time” treat after the kids are in bed.
- Make-ahead friendly – This is a true make-ahead Christmas recipe and one of my favourite homemade Christmas drinks to prep the day before guests arrive.
- Crowd pleaser – It’s a reliable best eggnog to make for a crowd; readers tell me they double and triple it every year for crowd-pleasing drinks at their gatherings.
And yes – from start to finish, the active part really can be a quick eggnog recipe (20 minutes). The rest is chill time while you do your wrapping or scroll Pinterest for more best holiday drink recipes.
Ingredients for Classic Homemade Eggnog
This non-alcoholic eggnog mocktail starts with simple ingredients you might already have in your Christmas kitchen.
- Whole milk – The base of our stovetop eggnog. Whole milk makes a big difference if you want that classic richness.
- 3 whole cloves – They infuse the milk and build that cosy Christmas eggnog flavour.
- Ground cinnamon & nutmeg – Essential for eggnog with nutmeg and cinnamon and that nostalgic Christmas kitchen recipe vibe.
- Egg yolks – These create a silky cooked custard base. We’re using a simple eggnog recipe with eggs, but everything is gently cooked.
- Granulated sugar – Enough for sweetness without being cloying (and we’ll talk about a less sweet eggnog recipe in the tips).
- Heavy cream – The secret to truly thick eggnog. This is where the phrase eggnog with heavy cream earns its reputation.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavour and works beautifully in both boozy and non-alcoholic eggnog versions.
- Spiced rum, bourbon or brandy (optional) – For a festive holiday cocktail style. Use rum for a classic eggnog with spiced rum or switch it up with bourbon for different holiday drink recipes with rum.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Eggnog From Scratch
This is where the magic happens. If you’ve ever wondered how to make eggnog from scratch without scrambling the eggs, here’s your roadmap.
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Directions
- Infuse the milk with spices:
– Add the whole milk, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg to a saucepan. Gently heat over medium-low until the milk is steaming and just starting to think about simmering. This step not only perfumes your kitchen like an old-fashioned Christmas drinks stall, it also creates a flavourful base for our stovetop cooked eggnog. - Whisk the yolks and sugar:
– While the milk warms, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until thick, pale and fluffy. This is the start of that luscious cooked custard base and the key to how to make smooth and creamy eggnog. - Tempering eggs (the stress-free way):
– Now for the part everyone worries about: tempering eggs. To avoid scrambled egg bits and to master how to avoid curdling eggs, slowly pour a small ladle of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
– Add another ladle, whisk again, and keep going until about half the milk is incorporated. This gentle warming is what makes this a fool-proof cooked eggnog recipe. - Cook until thick and silky:
– Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a spatula or whisk, until it slightly thickens and coats the back of a spoon. You’ve just turned your base into a luxurious stovetop eggnog. - Strain the mixture:
– Take the pan off the heat and strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the cloves and any tiny cooked egg bits. This is the secret to truly smooth and creamy eggnog – no lumps, just velvet. - Chill and finish:
– Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and, if you like, the rum or bourbon. Chill for a few hours or overnight. By the time you’re ready to pour, you’ll have the most gorgeous chilled eggnog – ready to turn into your signature holiday eggnog recipe.
Reader-Tested Pro Tips (Straight from the Comments)
One of my favourite parts of recipe blogging is reading what everyone else does with a recipe. This eggnog has inspired so many clever tweaks that I had to collect them here as “Pro Tips from the Internet”.
1. For a lighter eggnog recipe
If you love the flavour but want a less thick eggnog, several readers suggested swapping some of the heavy cream:
- Use eggnog with half and half instead of all heavy cream.
- Try eggnog with 2% milk or a mix of whole and 2% for a slightly lighter feel.
- Combine whole milk with half and half for a lighter eggnog recipe that’s still silky.
These swaps give you a creamy eggnog that’s a bit easier to sip if you’re planning several easy holiday entertaining drinks for one evening.
2. Adjusting sweetness in eggnog
Some readers prefer a less sweet eggnog recipe, especially if they’re sipping more than one glass. You can:
- Reduce the sugar by a few tablespoons for a gentle low sugar eggnog.
- Taste after chilling; if you need a touch more sweetness, add a drizzle of maple syrup or simple syrup. This flexible approach to adjusting sweetness in eggnog means you can cater to everyone.
3. Dairy-free & vegan eggnog options
If you or your guests are dairy-free, don’t panic – we’ve got options:
- Try a dairy-free eggnog by swapping the milk for oat milk and the cream for dairy-free whipping cream.
- Make an almond milk eggnog for a nutty twist.
- For a fully vegan eggnog recipe, you’ll need to replace the eggs with a custard made from cornflour/cornstarch or cashew cream, but you can still use this spice blend as your base.
These versions turn this into a homemade holiday recipe that nearly everyone at the table can enjoy.
4. Non-alcoholic & kid-friendly eggnog
Many readers make this as a kid-friendly eggnog by leaving the alcohol out entirely. You still get that beautiful traditional eggnog flavour, and adults can always stir a splash of rum into their own glass.
In other words, this same recipe serves as:
- eggnog recipe without alcohol
- eggnog without rum
- a family-friendly homemade eggnog and
- a grown-up holiday cocktail — all at once.
If you love festive drinks that everyone can enjoy, make sure to try my Non-Alcoholic Easy Christmas Punch as well — it’s another crowd-pleasing holiday favourite that pairs beautifully with this homemade eggnog.
Rum Eggnog & Other Festive Variations
When you do want to lean into the grown-up side of things, this base makes the perfect rum eggnog.
- Add spiced rum for a cosy, bakery-style eggnog with spiced rum.
- Use bourbon for a deeper, caramel note – ideal if you love holiday drink recipes with rum or whiskey.
- Make a mini eggnog tasting bar at your Christmas party with a few different spirits so guests can customise their own Christmas party drink.
Serving Ideas for Your Non-Alcoholic Eggnog Mocktail
There are so many ways to serve this homemade eggnog:
- Pour it into small glasses for a rich cozy winter drink by the tree.
- Serve in a punch bowl with nutmeg on top as a festive drink idea for guests.
- Offer it alongside dessert as one of your easy holiday drinks to serve at Christmas.
- Use leftovers in baking – think eggnog French toast or eggnog cupcakes – to stretch this homemade holiday recipe even further.
Because the base is fully cooked, it feels like a cross between a drink and dessert, making it perfect for old fashioned Christmas drinks lovers and modern Pinterest people alike.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Gifting
This is where this recipe really shines for busy December schedules.
- Once cooled and chilled, the eggnog keeps for 2–3 days in the fridge.
- The flavour actually deepens after a day, which is why it’s such a brilliant make-ahead Christmas recipe.
- Pour it into pretty bottles or jars, add a tag with serving instructions, and you suddenly have adorable homemade holiday gifts. A bottle of eggnog and a little nutmeg grater in a basket = instant eggnog for gifting during the holidays.
If you’re assembling a tray of homemade holiday gifts, you can pair this with biscuits, granola, or little chocolates for the ultimate crowd-pleasing drinks and treats bundle.
The Best Non Alcoholic Eggnog Recipe
6
servings5
minutes15
minutesCalories: ~450–500 kcal per serving
Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for garnish)
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
- Finishing the Mocktail
2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional topping)
Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Directions
- Heat the spiced milk : In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Warm over medium heat until the mixture is hot and just beginning to steam. Do not boil.
- Whisk the egg yolks and sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly ladle a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. Gradually add more milk, continuing to whisk to prevent curdling.
- Thicken the eggnog: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring continuously, until the mixture slightly thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Do not allow it to boil.
- Strain and cool: Remove from heat and strain out the cloves (and any small lumps) using a fine-mesh sieve. Allow the mixture to cool for about 1 hour.
- Add cream and vanilla: Once cooled, whisk in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the eggnog for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. Serve cold with whipped cream, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick.
Notes
- For dairy-free or vegan versions, swap milk with oat milk and cream with dairy-free whipping cream.
FAQ: Everything You Wanted to Know About Homemade Eggnog
Is this safe if it uses raw eggs?
We’re gently cooking the mixture, which is why it’s called a cooked eggnog recipe. The eggs are heated along with the milk to create that silky cooked custard base, so you’re not drinking raw eggs.
What if I’ve never made custard or eggnog before?
You’re exactly who I wrote this for. This is a super approachable eggnog for beginners. As long as you go slowly with tempering eggs and keep the heat moderate, you’ll be fine.
How do I stop the eggs from scrambling?
The keys to how to avoid curdling eggs are:
- Add hot milk to the yolks gradually.
- Whisk constantly.
- Don’t let the mixture boil once everything is combined.
If you do end up with tiny bits, remember we strain the mixture at the end, which helps a lot.
Can I make this less rich?
Yes – use one of the reader suggestions for a lighter eggnog recipe:
- Swap some cream for eggnog with half and half.
- Use part whole milk and part eggnog with 2% milk.
- Play with the ratio until you hit your perfect balance.
How many people does it serve?
As written, this batch is ideal as a Christmas party drink for about six people. For a big gathering, double it for the best eggnog to make for a crowd.
