web analytics

Easy Homemade Eggnog (uncooked)

I must confess that I never particularly cared for eggnog. Until very recently, I had only ever had store-bought eggnog and, while the consistency reminded me pleasantly of a thick milkshake, I couldn’t get past the semi-eggy, custard-gone-awry sort of flavor. I ordinarily like custard, too, but I basically gave up on the drink. I’d have a sip every now and again, in case my tastes changed and I found I enjoyed it, but I was far more likely to refuse ‘nog than not.

This year I finally decided to give homemade eggnog a try. I searched through countless recipes and tried quite a few to limited success. I ruled out anything that involved cooking the eggs, since I already knew that wasn’t what I wanted. I did not like the recipes that needed multiple bowls for beating multiple components. Since I never exactly wanted to indulge in eggnog in the first place, I didn’t want an overly indulgent recipe, either. Finally, I came across this recipe, which I liked because I wouldn’t have to separate and independently beat the eggs and because there is no cream to make it too rich. After a few tries, a few eggs and a few modifications, I had eggnog. And it wasn’t bad!

This eggnog is very easy to make and is relatively low in fat. You can use any kind of milk, though I recommend low fat. The resulting nog is creamy and slightly eggy, without having a trace of store-bought taste. It reminds me of a thin, but enriched, milkshake. The vanilla and nutmeg really compliment each other. The alcohol is entirely optional and you can substitute bourbon or rum to suit your tastes.

Homemade Eggnog
2 large eggs, room temperature
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg, plus more for serving
2 cups low fat milk
2 oz. brandy or bourbon (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until light in color and sugar is dissolved. Whisk in vanilla, nutmeg, milk and brandy, if using. Strain into a small pitcher and chill.
Pour into glasses and sprinkle with additional nutmeg.

Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.

*Note: Track down some pasteurized eggs to make this recipe if you’re concerned about eating raw eggs. Alternatively, try making a cooked variation of this recipe!

Share this article

15 Comments
  • farmgirl
    December 21, 2005

    I like the look of this!

    I have never actually had egg nog before as it is not big here at all…
    I have been thinking some eggnog icecream might be nice to try… but I might have to give this ago first!

  • Clare Eats
    December 21, 2005

    sorrry that was clare not farmgirl, I was logged into blogger after helping her with her template!
    YIKES

  • Rainey
    December 21, 2005

    If you’re just developing a taste for the flavor but still iffy on the texture, you might like to try this ice cream. Lovely egg nog-gy flavor with an entirely different presentation that’s great for accompanying holiday treats like cookies, cakes and pies.

    We’ve had it for Thanksgiving every year since I discovered this recipe.

    Nutmeg and Buttermilk Ice Cream
    from Bon Appetit

    1 cup buttermilk, chilled
    12 large egg yolks
    ¾ cup sugar, may be part brown sugar
    3 cup heavy cream
    ½ cup whole milk
    1 ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
    splash vanilla
    â…› teaspoon salt

    Place 3/4 cup of buttermilk in a large bowl; set strainer over bowl. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in heavy, large saucepan until the sugar is almost dissolved. Whisk in the heavy whipping cream, whole milk, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Using a flat bottomed silicone spoonula, stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves a path on the back of the spoonula when finger is drawn across, about 11 minutes. Remove custard from heat; stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk. Pour custard through the strainer into the bowl with the cold buttermilk. Remove the strainer; stir custard to blend. Refrigerate custard until cold, at least 6 hours. Stir in more nutmeg if desired keeping in mind that freezing the ice cream will mute the flavor.

    Process the custard in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturers instructions. Handling with great care not to contaminate the frozen custard with the salty brine, transfer ice cream to an airtight container. Cover and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.

    Check several hours before serving. If ice cream is very hard, alternate storing it in the fridge and the freezer until it is a scoopable consistency.

    Makes 2 quarts

  • The Cookbook Junkie
    December 21, 2005

    I purchased some ‘light’ eggnog and I could only drink just a bit of it on it’s own. Then I mixed it with butterscotch schnapps and it went down much easier!

  • Alice
    December 21, 2005

    I like nog much better with alcohol…no surprise, huh? This one sounds good and I’ve never made it myself before…maybe it’s time to give it a try! 🙂

  • Jessica
    December 21, 2005

    Nice, I have all the ingredients (except for brandy) in my pantry. I’ll try it with soy milk, because the Silk soynog that I’ve been seeing looks awfully cute in that green packaging.

  • Michele
    December 21, 2005

    I LOVE egg nog… have never made it from scratch but it sounds easier that I would expect.

  • Lori
    December 22, 2005

    I have never had commercial eggnog. It’s not common, thus unavailable here in Manila. Though I don’t crave for it at any other time of the year, somehow it’s just so apropos to make it during the holidays.

  • Anonymous
    December 27, 2005

    I am told that if you don’t cook the eggs, you need the alcohol to kill the unwanted bacteria that might be lurking around them.

  • Nic
    December 27, 2005

    Odds are low that an egg might contain salmonella bacteria, but pregnant women and small children should probably avoid them. I did note that you can buy pasturised eggs still in-shell if you are worried about it. I don’t like cooked egg eggnogs, so I went with the riskier recipe! =)

  • Sita
    September 5, 2006

    How bout this, I call it ‘Vermont Eggnog’: 1 fresh raw organic egg, 1 cup fresh raw organic milk, 2 or 3 teaspoons organic maple syrup. If you can get the ingredients, delicious.

  • Sarah
    December 14, 2008

    Thanks for this! I used to love eggnog until I developed lactose intolerance. Soy milk eggnog is the only kind made commercially and it’s… kind of gross, actually. I’ll have to try making this with some lactaid milk. 🙂

  • Mr. Cool
    December 19, 2013

    my family does something like this, but instead of whisking we just throw all of it into a blender, and we don’t measure whatever you feel like having today is the way to go. Want it thicker? Add an extra egg or two. Want it sweeter? add more sugar. so yeah, I lie no bake recipes, does anyone know about a non-bake chocolate type?

  • Barb
    December 24, 2013

    I make this every Christmas, we use free range farm eggs, cream, a small amount of milk, sugar, and Bourbon. We also use freshly grated nutmeg on top for a kick We make Gallons of the stuff usually on Christmas eve, its great and everyone drinks it. We get requests every year from family and friends. My husband spent many years in America and brought back the receipe with him although we make our own version of the original and don’t weigh anything.

What do you think?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *