Eggnog, drink from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

Eggnog is a rich, sweet drink made from milk or cream, sugar, whipped eggs and often alcohol such as rum, brandy or bourbon. It is a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in the United States and Canada, enjoyed from Thanksgiving through the holiday season, and can be homemade or bought ready-made.

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Eggnog is a traditional Christmas drink in the US and Canada
It is made with milk or cream, eggs, sugar, and often alcohol
Non-dairy and vegan eggnogs are available
Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Peru have their own versions
Eggnog can be homemade or bought ready-made

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a thick, creamy drink made from milk or cream, sugar, and whipped eggs, which give it a frothy texture. It is often flavored with vanilla and nutmeg, and commonly includes spirits such as rum, brandy or bourbon, though non-alcoholic versions are also popular. The drink is sweet and rich, served cold, and sometimes topped with grated nutmeg or cinnamon. Commercial and homemade versions both exist, and non-dairy alternatives are available for those with dietary restrictions.

Where does Eggnog come from?

Eggnog’s roots are debated, but it likely developed from posset, a medieval European drink of hot milk curdled with wine or ale and spiced. The name may come from 'nog', a strong beer from East Anglia, or from 'noggin', a small wooden mug. The drink became popular in Britain among the wealthy, who mixed milk, eggs and sherry or brandy. It crossed to the American colonies in the 18th century, where rum and later bourbon became common. By the late 1700s, eggnog was linked with holiday celebrations in North America.

How is Eggnog made?

To make eggnog, milk or cream is combined with sugar and raw eggs, which are whipped to create a light, frothy base. Alcohol such as rum, brandy or bourbon is often added, though some versions are non-alcoholic. Spices like nutmeg or cinnamon give extra flavor, and vanilla is sometimes included. Commercial eggnog may use thickeners like gelatin and less egg or cream. Non-dairy versions use soy, almond, rice or coconut milk. The drink is chilled and served cold, sometimes with a dusting of nutmeg on top.

Glasses and a carton of eggnog (called by its French name "Lait de Poule," meaning "chicken milk"). Photo: Konstantin Ryabitsev, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Eggnog eaten?

Eggnog is mostly enjoyed as a festive drink during the Christmas season in the United States and Canada, starting from Thanksgiving. It is served at parties, family gatherings, and holiday events, often in small cups or mugs. Some people add extra spirits to taste. Eggnog can also be used as a flavoring in coffee, tea, or desserts like puddings and ice cream. In some places, it is served hot, but the most common version is cold.

Kinds of Eggnog

Eggnog has many regional versions. In Puerto Rico, 'coquito' uses rum and coconut milk. Mexican 'rompope' includes Mexican cinnamon and rum or grain alcohol. Peru’s 'biblia con pisco' uses pisco, a local brandy. German versions use beer or white wine. Non-dairy and vegan eggnogs use plant milks or amazake, a fermented rice drink. Commercial eggnogs may be alcohol-free, and some are made with low-fat or sugar-free ingredients.

What Eggnog means

Eggnog is strongly tied to Christmas and holiday traditions in North America. It is a symbol of celebration and hospitality, often served at gatherings and parties. The drink has appeared in literature and film, and was even involved in the 1826 Eggnog Riot at West Point. In Britain, it was a drink of the wealthy, used in toasts to prosperity. Today, eggnog is widely available in stores during the holiday season, and homemade recipes are passed down in families.

When Eggnog is on the table

Christmas Day

Questions people ask about Eggnog

What is eggnog made of?

Eggnog is made from milk or cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and often alcohol such as rum, brandy or bourbon. It is flavored with spices like nutmeg or vanilla. Non-alcoholic and non-dairy versions are also available.

Where does eggnog come from?

Eggnog likely developed from medieval European drinks like posset, and became popular in Britain before spreading to the American colonies in the 18th century. It is now most associated with the United States and Canada.

Is eggnog always alcoholic?

No, eggnog can be made with or without alcohol. Commercially sold eggnog is often non-alcoholic, and spirits like rum, brandy or bourbon may be added at home to taste.

When is eggnog usually served?

Eggnog is traditionally served during the Christmas season in the United States and Canada, from Thanksgiving through the end of the holidays. It is a festive drink at parties and gatherings.

Are there vegan or non-dairy versions of eggnog?

Yes, there are versions made with soy, almond, rice or coconut milk for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. Some vegan eggnogs use amazake, a fermented rice drink, instead of eggs and dairy.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Eggnog", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Candy: Elisa Azzali, CC BY 2.0, source

Doughnut: Angeldm, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Bhang: Reuben Strayer, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Gnamakoudji: Cheikh cherif, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Mazamorra: Mil va, Public domain, source

Ice cream: Peachyeung316, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Bubble tea: Battlesnake1, CC0, source

Wine: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

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