Rich & creamy egg nog recipes (2025)

It’s the holiday season and cartons of egg nog are filling up the dairy aisles in grocery stores. Despite being convenient – all you have to do is open and pour – store-bought nogs prove anti-climactic if you happen to revel in making every food and drink served at your holiday get-togethers. The following rich, creamy and warmly-spiced nogs will indulge your holiday spirit and be a welcome drink for your decadence-seeking holiday guests.

Brandy egg nog

Serves 8

Your holiday party guests will love this traditional brandy-spiked egg nog. For a change, you can substitute rum for the brandy – or leave it out for a non-alcoholic holiday nog.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs, plus 2 yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
• Additional grated nutmeg for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar and salt. Gradually add milk, whisking until combined. Pour mixture into a large saucepan over low heat. Continue to whisk for 20 minutes or until liquid reaches 160 degrees F. and has thickened.

1. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl. Stir in brandy, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. To serve warm, ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. To serve chilled, cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to serve, fold whipped cream into egg nog until well combined. Serve in glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Skinny egg nog

Serves 10

A pared down – but quite delicious – rendition of egg nog, your diet-conscious holiday revelers will delight in this typically high-calorie, high-fat drink. For an ultra-lean nog, use 1% low fat milk and replace the heavy cream with light whipping cream.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups 2% low fat milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup dark rum
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat, whisk together milk, cinnamon and nutmeg Cook, stirring often, until warm.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, flour and salt. Add a bit of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking to incorporate. Continue whisking and gradually adding the rest of the milk mixture.
3. Return to saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 160 degrees F. and has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl and whisk in rum and vanilla.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled. When ready to serve, stir cream into egg nog and ladle into cups. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Virgin egg nog

Serves 8

This non-alcoholic egg nog is ideal for the kiddos or designated drivers at your holiday bash.

Ingredients:

• 4 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 egg whites

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a stand up mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Add sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine whisk together milk, cream and nutmeg until combined. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat and add stir in just a bit of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. Gradually add, stirring constantly, until well combined.
3. Transfer mixture to saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. When ready to serve, place egg whites in a medium-sized bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until egg whites form stiff peaks. Whisk egg whites into egg nog and serve with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.

Egg-less nog

Serves 10

A tropical spin on egg nog, this spirited egg-free version is ready in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 (12 ounces each) cans coconut cream
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup brandy or rum
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:

1. Blend all of the ingredients in a blender on high for 5 minutes. Transfer to a pitcher and store in the refrigerator. Serve warm or cold.

More must-have holiday drinks

Apple cider recipes
Festive drink recipes
Colorful cocktails for the holidays

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