Non-Alcoholic Eggnog Recipe (Easy & Family-Friendly!)
A creamy, festive holiday drink made with fresh egg yolks, whole milk, and heavy cream. Flavored with vanilla and warm spices, this homemade eggnog recipe is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas time—without alcohol.
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Servings: 0
Equipment
- Large bowl & medium bowl
- Stand mixer or electric whisk
- Medium saucepan
- Digital thermometer (optional, for precise cooking)
- Large jug or airtight container for storage
- Printable recipe card (for quick reference at Christmas time!)
Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks from fresh raw eggs or good quality store-bought
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract or scrape vanilla seeds from 1 whole vanilla bean
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 whole cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together the egg yolk mixture and sugar with a stand mixer or electric whisk until pale and creamy (about 2–3 mins).
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and warm spices. Cook over medium heat until steaming, but do not boil.
- Temper the eggs by slowly drizzling (with a ladle) about half of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
- Return everything to the saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it coats the back of a spoon or reaches about 160°F on a thermometer. (Do not let the mixture boil, as this will cause it to curdle.)
- Remove from heat and then strain through a sieve or a mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Finally, stir in the vanilla. (I like to stir in the vanilla after the eggnog has cooled slightly—this keeps the flavor fresh and prevents it from cooking off.)
- Pour into a large jug or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. To chill faster, place jar into an ice bath.
Notes
- Use fresh raw eggs (or pasteurized eggs if you prefer extra safety).
- Make sure to slowly add the milk mixture into the egg mixture, so that you don't wind up with a scrambled egg yolk drink!
- Swap dairy milks for oat milk to make a flavorful drink for anyone avoiding dairy.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks and freshly grated nutmeg for a festive drink at your holiday party.