Homemade Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade eggnog last in the refrigerator? ›

Expired eggs and milk can grow bacteria and lead to food poisoning, which wouldn't be a holly, jolly Christmas. The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making.

Heavy cream will make your eggnog thicker and creamier. Boozy eggnog will also continue to thicken in the fridge as it ages.

Choose The Right Spirit

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.

It's recommended to check the expiration date and any signs of spoilage (such as an off odor or taste, curdled texture, or mold) before consuming leftover eggnog. If the eggnog has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it should be discarded for safety reasons.

Luckily, you can freeze eggnog and enjoy it safely past the holiday season. In fact, the sweet, custardy liquid is great to keep on hand to add extra flavor to recipes or speed up a quick and convenient breakfast (like this Eggnog French Toast Casserole).

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

Shaking eggnog with ice dilutes it just a little. This helps turn the volume down on its inherent sweetness and thins it so it's not tacky thick, and viscous. It gets your eggnog nicely chilled too, which helps the store-bought stuff taste less sticky sweet.

Is Crown Royal good in eggnog? ›

Egg-cellent Eggnog Tips

Rum – I like dark rum in eggnog (Myers's is what I usually buy), but spiced rum would also be fabulous. Whiskey – I typically use Crown Royal, but use what you like or keep on hand.

Avoid white rum because it's too light and transparent. Instead, choose a gold or aged rum. For a fun twist similar to rye whiskey, go with spiced rum. For the best of both classics, pour both brandy and rum, splitting them equally in the eggnog.

The tricky thing about making a stirred custard is its susceptibility to curdling. If you get the mixture too hot, your beautiful custard sauce will resemble runny scrambled eggs. Not very appetizing.

How can I fix it? This one is pretty easy and there's no fuss at all. If it's too thick, add more milk and heavy cream. If it's too thin, you can dissolve about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in cold milk, add it to the mixture over the stove, and stir until it thickens to your liking.

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

Homemade eggnog typically lasts 2-3 days if stored in 40º F or less under the proper conditions. Store-bought eggnog lasts 5-7 days after opening if it has been refrigerated. Canned eggnog lasts 4 to 5 months and around 5-7 days after opening.

Opened bottled eggnog with alcohol: Once opened, the alcoholic eggnog may last several weeks in the fridge [1].

Carefully pour the egg nog into clean mason jars, swing-top bottles, or even the leftover liquor bottles and store them in the refrigerator. You can bottle your nog in leftover liquor bottles, swing-tops, or mason jars.

In general, most commercially produced eggnog liqueurs, which often contain alcohol, can last for several months to a year after opening when stored properly.