Eggnog is a classic holiday drink. This family recipe from the 1900’s is very boozy and perfect for adult parties. Drink responsibly!
Eggnog (or Egg Nog or Egg-Nog; all the same thing) is probably the most classic drink for the winter holidays.
It pops up in stores around Thanksgiving, perfect for a warm sip after a chilly walk or trimming the Christmas tree.
Did you know you can make Eggnog from scratch?
I have a family recipe for a boozy version of Eggnog straight from my Great Grandmother’s recipe box.
It’s a spiked eggnog recipe perfect for adult holiday celebrating. Please Uber, Lyft or walk home after drinking it however.
If you’d like a non-alcoholic version you’ll love this Homemade Eggnog recipe.
What is Eggnog?
Eggnog is a rich, sweetened dairy milk-based drink that traditionally includes alcohol.
Historically it was served chilled with a frothy consistency thanks to whipped egg whites.
It also was called ‘milk punch’.
The flavors of milk punch can vary. Classic New Orleans Brandy Milk Punch and Gingerbread Brandy Milk Punch (vegan), both have a milk and alcohol ingredient.
These days you can find or make it with any type of milk. It’s often consumed warmed with a bit of rum too!
What are the Ingredients in Eggnog?
This recipe includes:
- Eggs (a dozen of them)
- Granulated Sugar
- Rye Whiskey
- Jamaican Rum
- Milk (not cream)
It’s garnished with nutmeg. If possible using freshly grated nutmeg!
Is It Safe to Drink Eggnog with Raw Eggs?
My recommendation is the use pasteurized eggs for any recipes containing raw eggs. This should remove any risk from eating raw eggs.
The statistics on contracting Salmonella are pretty slight but of course follow your own judgment.
There is a debate about whether the amount of alcohol in eggnog recipes would kill salmonella.
Contracting salmonella is the risk of consuming raw eggs. Many ‘experts’ feel it does.
Again to be safe, use pasteurized eggs.
What Liquor Is Used in Eggnog?
Rum is the traditional liquor used in most eggnog recipes.
This recipe uses both Rum and Whiskey.
A Note on Rye Whiskey for Gluten-Free Consumers
Most major gluten-free food authorities state that the distillation process of a spirit extracts any gluten leaving them gluten free.
Two of these organizations are National Institutes of Health’s Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign and the Canadian Celiac Association.
I have occasionally read some dissenting views but the main position holds.
I used Leopold Brothers brand for the recipe pictured here who confirmed their Rye Whiskey IS gluten free.
Make Ahead!
The original recipe notes to make the day beforehand. This allows the flavors to blend into boozy bliss before serving!
It’s still great if you make it the day of serving.
How to Make this Egg Nog Recipe – Step-by-Step
STEP 1: Beat egg yolks with the sugar to fully combine.
STEP 2: In a second bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add 2/3’s of the whites to the yolk-sugar mixture; stir to combine.
STEP 3: VERY slowly drizzle the liquor into the egg mixture; stirring gently as you pour.
STEP 4: Slowly pour in the milk; stir.
STEP 5: Stir in the remaining beaten egg whites; stir to coming.
Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg when serving.
How to Serve It
A punch bowlis the best way to serve this eggnog for a party!
Eggnog Recipe Tasting Notes
- The flavors in this Eggnog recipe are well-balanced. However, if you want to pull back on the liquor a notch I’d cut back on the Rye Whiskey.
- This eggnog recipe is very boozy, I won’t lie. It’s a serious drinking cocktail punch.
- The consistency of this fresh from-scratch eggnog is different than the thick store-bought eggnog. It’s lighter and frothy due to beating the egg whites.
How to Store Eggnog
Make it the day beforehand and store it in the refrigerator in a sealed glass container (Mason jarsare great).
This eggnog will store well for at least a week.
I just read an article about a very similar recipe (same vintage) being stored for 6 weeks! I don’t recommend that.
History of this Eggnog Recipe
My great grandmother would have made this in the first half of last century (1900’s).
Noted on the recipe card is ‘old family recipe of Mrs. Blair’.
I do not know who Mrs. Blair is but I would not be surprised to find she owned a distillery. Or perhaps a still at the time based on the recipe ingredients lol!
My great grandparents entertained often and I’m sure this recipe was the star of holiday parties.
The Only 5 Punch Recipes You Need – Free Printable
Punch recipes are a ‘must have’ for hosting friends and family!
Five of my favorite punch recipes have been combined onto one handy CHEAT SHEET you can print!
More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
- Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch
- Cranberry Moscow Mule with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup
- Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy
- Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Rum (with mocktail option)
- Glogg: Scandanavian Mulled Wine
- Moscato Sangria
- Rompope (Mexican Eggnog)
More Recipes to Try!
- Wassail – a Classic Holiday Drink
- Quiche Lorraine – A Classic Cheesy Bacon Quiche
- Roasting Chestnuts – Everything You Need to Know
- Homemade Hot Chocolate
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Recipe
The Best (Boozy) Eggnog Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 Eggs whites and yolks separated
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 quart Rye Whiskey
- 1 pint Jamaican Rum
- 1 pint Milk not cream
Instructions
- Beat egg yolks with sugar to fully combine.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add 2/3 of the egg whites to the yolk/sugar mixture. Stir to combine.
- Very slowly drizzle in the rye and rum into the egg/sugar mixture stirring gently as you pour.
- Slowly pour in milk and stir to combine.
- Stir in remaining 1/3 egg whites; stir to combine. Sprinkle with a bit of nutmeg when serving.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container until serving and/or for storage.
Nutrition
Originally published: December 14, 2011
Eggnog is a classic holiday cocktail punch that is perfect for parties!
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen says
This is to indulge my adulthood… Definitely!
Yadsia @ShopCookMake says
That sounds good! I bet that drink would help me survive any office office party of the season.
Lo-mo says
How perfect! Great Grandma's recipes are still some of the best! Definitely a treat!
Rosemary says
I had already made a mental note to make “real” eggnog this season, instead of just doctoring the carton. I love the idea of using your great grandmas recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Kiri W. says
I absolutely love eggnog -it's something I found in the United States that definitely is lacking at home in Germany! I don't care whether it's alcoholic or not, I could just bathe in the stuff. Glorious recipe 🙂
Christiane Potts says
How were you able to take the top down shots with all the fumes that came up from those glasses???? A quart of whiskey. Wow. Of course, I HAVE to make this. I even called Hubby in to have a look. Plus, with him being the history buff, I knew he's want to see the Roosevelt tidbit. That was way cool.
I'm thrilled, overjoyed and ecstatic that you were willing to share your great grandmother's recipe. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
(If nothing else brings in the joy, this recipe will!)
Viviane Bauquet Farre says
What a great beverage to put you in the holiday spirit without getting… too much in the holiday spirit! The freshly grated nutmeg is the game-changer in this recipe.
Cooking with Michele says
Holy canole is right! When I first saw the title, I thought this was the booze free version to serve TO the designated driver, but now I agree one must HAVE a designated driver!
Toni (Boulder Locaovre) says
Ping: It was funny to remember my 'eggnog roots' and that we never thought about things like pasteurized eggs. So many more issues now with food. Please let me know if you try it! Happy Christmas to you and your family (especially that cute little Auntie Choo!).
Kiri W: I agree. I also think only having it around this time of year heightens one's appreciation for it. Happy Holidays Kiri!
Christiane: I really laughed when reading your comment because I was thinking the same thing WHEN taking the overhead shots! I'm surprised my eyes weren't watering too much to focus! It is serious business but good! Please let me know if you make it what you and 'hubby' think! Love that it's so old, don't you? Something magical about that.
ping says
Oooo … I'd just got a bottle of Jamaican Rum from the airport duty free shop. I've never made eggnog due to the raw eggs but lately I've discovered some shops selling pasteurised eggs. Hah! It's going to be a very happy Christmas!