If you’re looking for a delicious, festive drink to enjoy this holiday season, look no further than non-alcoholic eggnog recipe. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a creamy, flavorful beverage that everyone will love. So gather your ingredients and get ready to cozy up by the fire and celebrate with winter’s most popular holiday drink.
Non Alcoholic Eggnog Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Spiritless Kentucky 74 (optional)
- 6 large egg yolks
- .5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- .5 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
- .25 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- star anise and ground cinnamon for garnish
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- saucepan
- measuring cups
- Mesh strainer
- glass jar (for storage)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until completely combined and creamy. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream, nutmeg and salt over over medium to medium high heat. Stir frequently until it starts to simmer.
- Grab your bowl of whisked eggs. While whisking constantly, add a ladle of the hot cream to the egg mixture. Keep adding one ladle at a time until used up. Don't stop whisking or the ingredients won't get completely incorporated.
- Put the mixture back in the saucepan and heat until it thickens on low heat. Continue to stir while it heats up.
- Take it off the heat, then add non-alcoholic whiskey and vanilla extract.
- Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve or strainer into a vessel for cooling in the refrigerator. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate until completely chilled.
- Serve chilled with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick (see alternative garnish options below).
Notes
- Check the garnish and serving options listed below.
- Dairy and egg alternatives listed below.
- Happy holiday!
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Read full disclaimer.What’s in a Non-Alcoholic Eggnog?
Egg Yolks
Egg yolks have protein and vitamins like folate, B12, B2, and more. As one of the main ingredients in eggnog, they can’t really be skipped. If you’re vegan, you can use an egg alternative like Just Egg, but the consistency might change a bit.
Milk & Cream
The base of eggnog is usually a combination of milk and heavy cream. It’s important to use whole or 2% dairy products for the best flavor and texture. Low-fat variants can lead to a thin consistency.
Sugar
Sugar is necessary for balance in eggnog because it cuts through the richness of the eggs and milk. You can use granulated white sugar or light brown sugar for this recipe; both will work just fine. I prefer to use organic raw cane sugar.
You can also use honey as an alternative sweetening agent that adds extra depth of flavor, just add in small amounts until you achieve your desired sweetness.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg
These spices are what give eggnog recipes their warm flavor that we all know and love. Use freshly grated nutmeg for a more fragrant beverage.
Vanilla Extract
A small dose of vanilla extract can add to the flavor of eggnog and help deepen other flavors. It’s optional, but definitely adds something to the mix! Also, the main component in a good quality extract, vanillin, has been shown to offer anti-inflammatory properties.
Is it Safe to Make Eggnog with Raw Eggs?
This recipe tempers the eggs with hot milk, so they will not be completely cooked. There are risks involved in consuming raw eggs, so consider this when making mocktails with raw eggs. Pasteurized eggs are heated to a safe temperature in order to destroy any bacteria.
What Does Eggnog Taste Like Without Alcohol?
Eggnog without alcohol is rich and creamy, as usual, but lacks the sharp punch that brandy or whiskey would add.
When you use a non-alcoholic whiskey substitute, eggnog will still lack the sharp bite, but you will taste and smell some toasted oak. It’s a nice touch to the creamy holiday beverage.
Benefits of Homemade Eggnog vs Store Bought
When you make your own homemade version of eggnog, you can control the ingredients. That’s the best part of homemade food and beverages. You decide how sweet you want it or how much nutmeg to add. Plus, no preservatives.
The benefit of using store bought eggnog? Mix with non-alcoholic whiskey and you’re done. If you need a quick fix, this is your go-to recipe.
Variations for a Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
If you have allergies or prefer to consume vegan or dairy free beverages, here are some alternatives, so you can still enjoy your holiday eggnog without alcohol.
Dairy-free: All the milk in this beverage, as two substitutions have to be made: milk and whipping cream.
I prefer to substitute cashew milk or oat milk over almond milk in a non-alcoholic eggnog. The flavor of almond milk isn’t neutral enough for this beverage.
Substitute full fat coconut cream or half-and-half alternative for the heavy whipping cream.
Egg-free: plant based Just Egg is an acceptable substitute for egg-free eggnog, but might result in a thinner consistency beverage
How Serve and Garnish a Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
Spice lover: Cinnamon stick laid across the top with ground nutmeg on top of the drink
Cinnamon lover: 2 cinnamon sticks vertically in the drink with fresh cinnamon grated on top
Pretty holiday mocktail: Dehydrated blood orange with a few pine needles in a coupe glass
Christmas drink for after dinner: star anise and edible gold leaf flakes and serve eggnog in a bone china teacup
