Homemade Egg Nog

🥛 Homemade Egg Nog

Yields ~4 cups · Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon, for topping

Optional: ¼ cup bourbon, rum, brandy, or whiskey

Instructions

  1. Whisk 6 egg yolks and ½ cup sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy.

  2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 cup cream, 2 cups milk, ½ tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Heat until just beginning to simmer.

  3. Temper the eggs: add a spoonful of the hot milk mixture to the yolk mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat with another spoonful.

  4. Pour everything back into the saucepan. Whisk constantly for about 1 minute until slightly thickened or until mixture reaches ~160°F.

  5. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ tsp vanilla extract (and alcohol if using).

  6. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher. Cover and chill.

  7. Blend with 1–2 Tbsp milk if you prefer a smoother texture. Serve topped with ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

Tips

  • Alcohol options: brandy, bourbon, rum, or whiskey—start with ¼ cup and adjust to taste
  • The mixture thickens as it cools; blend in a small amount of milk to loosen if needed
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 week

🛒 Shopping List

Dairy & Eggs

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups milk

Pantry

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon

Bar (Optional)

  • ¼ cup bourbon, rum, brandy, or whiskey

Attribution

Adapted from Tastes Better From Scratch – Homemade Eggnog