20 Best Holiday Eggnog Cocktail Recipes

There's a creamy eggnog cocktail for everyone this festive season

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 02/8/24
A bourbon eggnog for a holiday party with a cinnamon stick on top

The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

Few drinks fit the holiday season like a glass of eggnog, and there are several ways to enjoy this traditional drink. From classic recipes for parties to modern eggnog cocktails made by the glass and many with international flair, you have a variety of tasty eggnog recipes to explore.

Most homemade eggnog recipes follow a basic formula: eggs are mixed with sugar, milk and/or cream, and liquor. You also have the choice of brandy, whiskey, or rum for your eggnog, no liquor at all, and even egg-free and vegan options. Seasonal flavors are often added, and a few cocktail recipes rely on store-bought eggnog, so they're even easier. There really is a recipe for everyone, so let's get noggin'!

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Watch Now: Creamy Eggnog Recipe with Brandy, Bourbon, or Rum

  • 01 of 20

    Classic Homemade Eggnog with Bourbon

    Two glass mugs of homemade eggnog, topped with ground nutmeg, with a small bowl of whole nutmeg

    The Spruce Eats / Abby Mercer

    Keep holiday traditions alive (or start new ones) with this classic old-fashioned eggnog recipe made with eggs, milk, cream, and bourbon. Perfect for a small party, it includes all the basics, and there's an option for cooked eggnog if you're wary of consuming raw eggs.

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    Raw Egg Warning

    Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk for foodborne illness. If you do choose to make your eggnog with raw eggs, use only the freshest eggs or choose pasteurized eggs, and be diligent about cleanliness. Cooking the eggs is another option. This is done by tempering eggs with warm dairy to slowly heat them to a safe temperature.

  • 02 of 20

    Traditional Rum Eggnog

    Rum eggnog in a martini glass and in a wine glass

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    On a smaller scale, pull out your cocktail shaker to quickly make eggnog for just one or two people. Due to the base liquor—aged rum—this eggnog recipe creates a slightly sweeter cocktail than some of the others on our list. You'll also appreciate the extra flavor provided by almond and vanilla extracts.

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  • 03 of 20

    Quick Brandy Eggnog

    A brandy eggnog cocktail garnished with a cinnamon stick

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    When you don't want to waste any time, this shaken brandy eggnog cocktail is a great option. It's a favorite recipe among bartenders, has a classic brandy base, and requires just three other ingredients. If you thought eggnog was too difficult to make at home, this recipe will change your mind.

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  • 04 of 20

    Bourbon Eggnog

    Bourbon Eggnog

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    A variation on the traditional recipe, this spiced bourbon eggnog is filled with layers of flavor. It uses three liquors, and the combination of whiskey, cognac, and orange liqueur is a brilliant foundation for seasonal spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. The recipe serves eight, so it's perfect for an intimate party, and can be prepared the night before.

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  • 05 of 20

    Nonalcoholic Eggnog

    Three glasses of non-alcoholic holiday eggnog

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

    While you can simply skip the liquor in any recipe, this eggnog is designed to be nonalcoholic from the very start. Not only does this family-friendly eggnog skip the alcohol, but it also passes on the raw eggs. The added bonus of making 'nog with cooked eggs is that you can make the base ahead and store it for up to three days before whipping in the cream. And, of course, if anyone wants to add a little bourbon or other liquor, this eggnog tastes great when spiked too.

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  • 06 of 20

    Keto Eggnog

    Overhead of two glasses of Keto Eggnog with cinnamon sticks inside

    The Spruce Eats / Haley Hazell

    For anyone who wants to avoid sugar, this tasty keto eggnog is ideal. The recipe uses two sugar-free sweeteners (confectioners' Swerve and liquid stevia), egg yolks, and unsweetened almond milk. Since heavy cream is keto, it's also included to ensure a luscious beverage, though coconut milk is an option too.

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  • 07 of 20

    Vegan Eggnog

    A glass of vegan eggnog with half of the top sprinkled with cinnamon

    ​The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

    That's right, eggnog without eggs! The key to this recipe is a combination of silken tofu and soy milk blended with vanilla extract and rum or brandy. The blend is luscious and tasty, and people might not even notice the difference between it and a classic eggnog made with eggs and dairy.

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  • 08 of 20

    Coquito

    A Coquito recipe in a glass with a cinnamon stick resting on the rim and star shaped cookies off to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

    Another eggless option, coquito is Puerto Rico's version of eggnog and it's a must for the holiday season in Puerto Rican households. Rather than eggs and heavy cream, this punch relies on cream of coconut, condensed milk, and evaporated milk for creaminess and sweetness. Rum and warm spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, complete this delicious drink. Coquito is best served very cold and shared with friends.

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    Continue to 9 of 20 below
  • 09 of 20

    Easy Rum Eggnog

    A glass of eggnog in a glass with fresh cinnamon grated on top

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Aged rum and ruby port add a dark, complex background flavor to this easy eggnog cocktail recipe. It's one of the quick versions that is shaken up by the glass, and in just a few minutes, you'll have luscious eggnog to enjoy without any fuss.

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    Shaking Raw Egg Cocktails

    Dry shaking is one secret to producing the best-tasting egg cocktails. This simply means holding the ice while you shake all the other ingredients, then adding ice for a second round of vigorous shaking. The technique ensures everything is thoroughly mixed and creates a frothier drink.

  • 10 of 20

    Gingerbread Eggnog

    Overhead of a Gingerbread Eggnog with cinnamon stick off to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    A twist on traditional eggnog, this gingerbread-inspired eggnog is filled with delicious flavors and can quickly get any nog-hater to flip to the other side. Molasses, ground ginger, cloves, and other seasonal spices give it that classic gingerbread taste. The rum is optional, so it can be nonalcoholic.

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  • 11 of 20

    Eggnog Martini

    Two eggnog martinis, garnished with nutmeg and a whole cinnamon stick, on a gold tray with a small bowl of whole nutmeg

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

    Make good use of store-bought eggnog with this easy, three-ingredient eggnog martini recipe. Vanilla vodka and amaretto are shaken with pre-made eggnog in this simple cocktail. To complete the festive martini, add a little nutmeg and cinnamon on top. We can't think of a more perfectly delicious way to use up a carton of eggnog.

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  • 12 of 20

    White Christmas

    A White Christmas cocktail in a glass with two dark chocolate squares off to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    If you have a favorite store-bought eggnog and are looking for a new way to enjoy it, try stirring up a White Christmas cocktail. The cocktail pairs Southern Comfort and white chocolate liqueur with a healthy dose of pre-made eggnog, and it's rather delicious.

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    Continue to 13 of 20 below
  • 13 of 20

    Fireball Eggnog

    Three glasses of Fireball Eggnog Cocktails with cinnamon and sugar on the rim

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    Cinnamon lovers will thoroughly enjoy this tasty fireball eggnog. Made with the popular cinnamon-flavored whiskey and amaretto, it dresses up prepared eggnog and includes an optional cinnamon-sugar rim for an extra sweet touch.

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  • 14 of 20

    Rompope

    Two glasses and a pitcher of Rompope Mexican Eggnog

    The Spruce Eats / Qi Ai

    The Mexican take on eggnog, rompope is an old-fashioned egg punch that's a holiday classic. You'll mix sweetened and spiced warm milk with blanched almonds and egg yolks. Let it cool, then stir in rum for a party-worthy drink.

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  • 15 of 20

    Caribbean Punch de Creme Eggnog

    An overhead of a Caribbean Punch de Creme Eggnog on a light blue surface

     Fenot Eric / Getty Images

    Many people enjoy drinking punch de creme on Christmas morning in Trinidad and Tobago, and there are versions of this take on eggnog throughout the Caribbean. Punch de creme typically calls for dark rum and gets an intriguing hint of citrus from lime zest, as well as a zippy flavor from angostura bitters. To let the flavor develop properly, plan on mixing it up a day in advance.

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  • 16 of 20

    Tom and Jerry

    Two glasses Tom and Jerry Cocktails in glass mugs and resting on a green cloth napkin

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Turn to the classic Tom and Jerry recipe when you want to serve your eggnog on the warm side. This sweet, frothy, warm cocktail with dark rum and cognac is a popular option at American bars around the holidays. You can make the batter anytime you like and, when it's time to serve, simply add rum, brandy, and warm milk or water.

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    Continue to 17 of 20 below
  • 17 of 20

    Holiday Spice Cocktail

    Three glasses of Ciroc holiday spice cocktails with two candles burning off to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Zorica Lakonic

    The holiday spice cocktail—with warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—is a fabulous way to lift spirits in the middle of winter and takes just minutes to shake up. Coconut and pineapple give this eggnog-like cocktail a tropical twist. Choose your favorite coconut vodka, pick up some cream of coconut and pineapple juice, and don't forget the spices.

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  • 18 of 20

    Polish Kogel Mogel

    Teo glasses of Polisoh Kogel Mogel with a slice of pie in the background

    ma-k / Getty Images

    Kogel mogel is a centuries-old dessert from Poland's Jewish communities. Essentially very thick eggnog, the base is nothing more than egg yolks and honey, though you can add other ingredients—try it with cocoa powder, raisins, or nuts, and spike it with rum or vodka if you like.

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  • 19 of 20

    Traditional Dutch Advocaat

    Three traditional Dutch advocaat liqueurs resting on a silver platter

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Advocaat is a Dutch eggnog-like custard that's so thick you have to eat it with a spoon rather than drinking it. Made with egg yolks, sugar, brandy or cognac, and vanilla, it's a wonderfully rich choice for the holidays—especially if you add a bit of whipped cream on top. Serve it alongside small bites of fudge or salted caramels and everyone will be thrilled.

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  • 20 of 20

    Eierlikör Egg Liqueur Eierlikoer

    Eierlikoer German Egg Liqueur in glasses and a glass bottle on a marble tray

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Eierlikör (or eierlikoer) is a popular homemade liquor from Germany that makes a fun gift. It's a heated and then chilled blend of egg yolks, milk, cream, and vanilla spiked with both vodka and brandy. The longer you let its flavors develop before drinking it, the better it tastes.

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