Classic Eggnog Recipe
If you’re an eggnog fan – like we are – you probably spend most of the year just waiting for the weather to start to chill because that’s when the serious countdown to eggnog season begins!
I don’t know why it is the case, but eggnog just doesn’t feel right in the warmer months, so at the first sign of a dip in the mercury, my mind turns to eggnog!
You might also like to try our eggnog smoothie recipe made with frozen bananas – it is proving to be a real hit in our house! Also check out the low fat eggnog if you are watching those holiday calories.
There are so many different ways to make eggnog that we really should have our own eggnog website, but – for now – we’ll keep things relatively simple and add some of our very favorite eggnog recipes to this site. However, please do bear in mind that we have STACKS of eggnog recipes, so if there’s something in particular that you’re looking for and you can’t find it here, just drop us a note because I can assure you that we’ll have what you’re looking for, and we can post it for you.
The best place to begin – as always – is at the beginning, so let’s start with an easy, classic eggnog recipe. You know I like to give you some suggestions about how you can pimp the recipe to make it more suitable to you and your family, so I’ll give you some ‘add-ins’ hints and tips at the end…
Classic Eggnog Recipe
Equipment
- large pot/ saucepan
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 quart milk (approximately 1L) (divided)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 or more garnish (optional)
Instructions
Stove Top Directions
- In a large saucepan, beat together eggs, sugar, and salt.
- Stir in 2 cups of the milk.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon with a thin film, and reaches 160 degrees F (or 70 degrees C).
- Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the remaining milk and vanilla extract.
- Cover.
- Refrigerate until the mixture is thoroughly chilled – several hours, or overnight.
- Just before serving, pour eggnog mixture into a bowl or pitcher.
- Garnish or add stir-ins, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Microwave Directions
- In a 2-quart liquid measure or bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and salt until thoroughly blended.
- Set aside.
- In a small (approx 1-quart) liquid measure or bowl, cook 2 cups of the milk on 'high' until bubbles form at the edges (approx 4 minutes).
- Stir the milk into the egg & sugar mixture.
- Cook on 50% power uni the eggnog mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon with a thin film, and it reaches at least 160 degrees F (or 70 degrees C).
- Stir in the remaining milk and vanilla extract.
- Continue as you would for the 'stove top directions'.
Notes
Nutrition
Optional Garnishes and Stir-Ins
Choose 1 or several of the following, according to your own taste and needs:
- chocolate curls
- maraschino cherries
- cinnamon sticks
- orange slices
- extracts or flavorings
- peppermint sticks/ candy canes
- flavored brandy or liqueur
- plain brandy, rum, whiskey, Bailey’s, etc
- fruit juice or nectar
- sherbet or ice cream
- ground nutmeg (a very fine sprinkle adds a nice finishing touch to the classic eggnog recipe)
- whipping cream, whipped
- small gingerbread man
Remember that if you stir in alcohol, you should let your guests know before they try your eggnog so that they can make allowances for the alcohol content when deciding to drive.
And that, my friends, is my favorite classic eggnog recipe! Because we’re such huge fans of (home made) eggnog, we’ve got loads of recipes so we’ll slowly but surely add them here to the site, but this classic recipe is a great starting point. I’ll add a low-cal version in the next day or so. In the meantime…
If you see a fat man
Who’s jolly and cute
Wearing a beard
And a red flannel suit
If he is chuckling
And laughing away
While flying around
In a minature sleigh
With eight tiny reindeer
To pull him along
Then – let’s face it –
Your eggnog’s too strong!!
Until next time!
Love & eggnog, Bx
Hey, my friend Ophelia and I loved this! I am so happy!
I did not attempt to make this particular recipe, so I have no rating to add.
Do you have any recipe in your collection that comes specifically approximates the Southern Comfort brand Vanilla Spice Eggnog?
Hi Jerry
Thanks for reaching out to us!
I do have a Vanilla Spice Eggnog recipe that uses Southern Comfort (or your favourite spiced bourbon or spiced rum); I will create a post for it now.
Have a very happy 2020 🙂 Bx
Hi again Jerry
Here’s the link to our Vanilla Spice Eggnog https://recipelibrary.net/vanilla-spice-eggnog/
I’d love to know if you make it, and how you enjoy it.
Great that you’ve included microwave directions.
Fabulous – thank you!
You’re very welcome, Louisa 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Love this one so much! I am starting to work on my Thanksgiving recipes so made this to test it out and it came out beautifully.
I’m so pleased to hear that, Sally-Ann 🙂
Great timing on your part – was lookng for home made eggnog recipe for my book club. Can I triple all amounts and will it still work out?
Hi Michael. Thanks for your message. Making and taking eggnog to your Book Club sounds like a great idea! Theoretically, you could indeed triple the recipe. However, I haven’t done it. If you need three times as much, can I suggest making it in three separate batches? I’m sure your Book Club friends will love the eggnog! Cheers, Bx
Thank you – worked well for me on the hob. Hadn’t made from scratch before but will for Xmas this year.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for the feedback 🙂