Eggnog on wooden table with Christmas decorations
Food & Drink

Spiked Eggnog Recipe To Celebrate The Holidays The Right Way!

Make your holidays warmer with these easy & delicious spiked eggnog recipes

December 15, 2020

Some people count the days until pumpkin spice season, while some can’t wait for eggnog season. If you fall into the second category, this post is for you. We’ll share the best eggnog recipes that pair with most dishes and make your holiday prep more fun. (Decorating under the influence of spiked eggnog will give your ornaments the jaunty angle they deserve.) 

What is eggnog? It’s a creamy and delicious winter cocktail that can be served hot or chilled. This festive favorite is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks. You can make your drink dairy-free by opting for any plant-based milk, like almond milk. You can also buy premade cartons at most grocery stores.

Spiked eggnog most commonly includes rum, but in some cases, you might encounter brandy, bourbon, amaretto, Irish cream, cognac, or rye whiskey. Homemade eggnog typically lasts 2–3 days in the fridge, and store-bought eggnog lasts 5–7 days from opening. 

Holiday parties need holiday drinks, and we’ve got you covered with a list of spike eggnogs that everyone can enjoy. 

How to make eggnog with alcohol

Top view on a rustic gray wood background of Christmas spiced eggnog in a glass

Jenifoto – stock.adobe.com

Prep time: 5 to 30 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes (including chill time)

With each eggnog recipe, you’re going to find a few instructions in common. Most homemade, Christmas-themed blends will require the eggs to be fresh; milk must be whole, the cream must be thick, and liqueurs must be smooth enough to drink enjoyably. Toppings like nutmeg, chocolate, cinnamon are optional but highly recommended.

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Total caloric intake may not be a top priority (and eggnog isn’t the most health-conscious beverage), but on average, it ranges from 300 to 1300 calories per serving. Some recipes are heavier on calories than others, depending on the additions. 

Are you overwhelmed by all of the options out there? Never fear. We’ve narrowed it down to our favorite eggnog drink recipes.

Classic Eggnog From Scratch

3 glasses of eggnog with cinnamon sticks

Source: Food Network

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

If you want to one-up your neighbors who get their eggnog from a carton or create a show-stopping selection of the best holiday drinks, then this recipe is for you. It requires a little bit of effort (and subsequent washing up), but the result will be satisfying and Instagrammable. 

To make this recipe, 2 combine eggs, 1 egg yolk, and one-half cup sugar in a bowl, then whisk. Next, heat 2 ½ cups milk and one-half cup heavy cream, and whisk again before combining it with the egg and sugar mix. Cook together over medium heat, stirring constantly. Strain the mixture and let it cool at room temperature, then add your garnishes. Add one-half teaspoon vanilla extract, one-quarter teaspoon nutmeg and stir. Let it cool, then add more one-half cup of heavy cream, whisk in one-half cup of rum, and enjoy. 

Once you master this recipe, you can experiment with different liquors, spices, and toppings.

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Homemade Eggnog

Homemade eggnog with white cream

Source: Tastes Better from Scratch

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Thick and hinting of nutmeg, this is the perfect creamy drink to keep you warm on a cold winter’s day. 

Here’s one more crash course on making eggnog. Whisk 6 egg yolks and one-half cup granulated sugar together. Heat 1 cup whipping cream and 2 cups milk until they reach a simmer. Don’t forget to add a pinch salt and one-half teaspoon nutmeg, and then add the two bowls together, stirring again.

After a few more rounds of mixing and stirring, top it off with some whipped cream and cinnamon, and you’re ready to go.

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Amaretto Eggnog

Eggnog on wooden table with Christmas decorations

Source: Viktoria’s Table

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

If you want to get your treat fast, you can use store-bought eggnog. Amaretto eggnog is sweet and decadent with a gentle creamy almond flavor. 

For this recipe, mix 3 cups eggnog with one-quarter cup white rum and one-half cup amaretto liquor. Pour into cups to serve, and top it off with whipped cream or marshmallows to keep you warm after a cold day outside.

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Spiced Rum & Bourbon Eggnog

Two glasses of bourbon cherry vanilla sangria next to a pitcher on top of a cutting board

Source: Food Network

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes 

Are you looking for a bit of heat in your life? If you like your drinks more robust and less sweet, consider adding a little holiday spirit — emphasis on the spirit. 

For this recipe, grab 6 ounces of premade eggnog, then spike it with 1 ounce spiced rum and 2 ounces bourbon. Finish it off with a delicate sprinkle of cinnamon, and serve it hot. 

You can pick some liquor from Gopuff’s extensive selection and thank us later.

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Smoked Eggnog

Chilled eggnog with whipped cream

Source: Traeger Grills

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

If you happen to have a grill, this smokey vanilla flavor mixed with decadent whole milk is well worth the wait. 

To make this recipe, plan ahead — the chill time is extensive. For the basics, mix 2 cups milk and 1 cup heavy cream in a baking dish, then smoke inside a traeger grill for 60 minutes. 

While that’s cooking, beat 4 egg yolks and 1 cup sugar together. Add them to the milk and cream once they’re done smoking, along with 3 ounces of bourbon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon nutmeg. Beat the egg whites until they’re stiff, gradually adding 1 tablespoon of sugar. Fold the egg whites into the cream mixture, chill, and serve. 

With this eggnog, refrigerating the drink for a day makes the flavors pop. If you make a large enough batch, you can refrigerate some later and still have instant gratification, too. Remember, however, that homemade eggnog keeps for fewer days than store-bought varieties.

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Chai Eggnog

Eggnog with cinnamon stick and cloves

Source: Gimme Some Oven

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Feeling creative isn’t limited to home decor or DIY Christmas nails, try this chai-flavored spiked eggnog recipe to add some spice to your holidays. 

For this simple recipe, mix 2 cups almond milk, 1 can (15 ounces) coconut milk, one-half teaspoon cinnamon, one-third cup maple syrup, a dash of salt, and 5 egg yolks in a saucepan. Heat until it simmers, then reduce the heat so the eggs don’t burn, and add the tea bags. Remove the teabags, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and your alcohol of choice. We recommend 1 ½ ounces of liquor for each cup of eggnog.

If you want to experiment in the food department, you can mix your own chai spices and skip the teabags.  

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Creamy Eggnog Baileys Cocktail

Eggnog with cinnamon next to Christmas decorations

Source: The Pioneer Woman

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Mix your premade eggnog with Baileys (or your Irish cream of choice) for a tender, milky flavor. Add the Baileys to your desired taste; we prefer a 1:1 ratio, but a 2:1 ratio still guarantees some holiday cheer. Add ice cubes to the mix to keep it chilled, along with a delicate topping of nutmeg and cinnamon, to add a hint of sweetness and spice.

If you get tired of this recipe, you can experiment with different Baileys flavors, such as Almande (almond). This drink pairs well with fresh-from-the-oven cookies, too. 

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Bourbon Chocolate Eggnog

Chocolate eggnog with dark chocolate bar

Source: Serious Eats

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This festive drink tastes like a boozy, holiday season milkshake, but it requires some prep. 

To start your holiday-themed delight, put 1 cup chopped chocolate and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder in a heatproof dish, and bring 3 cups milk to simmer in a pan. Pour the milk over the chocolate until it melts. Separate 8 eggs, and in a third bowl, whisk 8 egg whites until they’re frothy. 

Afterward, mix your 8 egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk and chocolate mixture and whisk again until they’re a delicious, creamy blend. Dark and milk chocolate work equally well to top off this holiday cocktail — and if you’re going for a Mexican hot chocolate flavor, add in a tiny bit of chili powder, too. 

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If you need some eggs, milk, or Baileys, Gopuff can deliver them straight to your door. Add some gingerbread cookies to your order and you’re set for some very happy holidays. 

Do you have the Gopuff app yet? Download it from the Apple Store or Google Play to make ordering even more manageable, especially if you’re looking for subscription gifts.

Make sure to follow Gopuff on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

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