Introducing Light & Healthy Eggnog – this homemade, delicious, non-alcoholic eggnog can be enjoyed all season long without the guilt. Plus it's non-dairy!
Five years ago, the notion I could make eggnog at home completely changed my life.
This meant no more waiting for the holidays to come around to enjoy a glass of eggnog.
This meant I could tweak the recipe and make my own favorite version.
This meant I could actually understand what the heck was in eggnog. It was such a mystery!
I didn’t realize then, but this also meant Dustin and the kiddos would always refer to the holidays as the time when “mom makes her eggnog.”
So, that's why I wanted to share this non-alcoholic eggnog recipe.
And, to be honest, it’s pretty dang amazing.
BUT my original eggnog recipe was created before my clean eating days.
So, three years ago at Thanksgiving, I decided to try out a clean version of our family’s favorite eggnog and it was very good. Like shockingly good…and clean!
As Dustin would say, it was still “noggy.”
Wanna hear a really cool story?
So, on a super cool side note, since posting this eggnog recipe originally, I have received tons of emails and comments thanking me for sharing an eggnog recipe that can be enjoyed year round.
To my surprise, many people who no longer live in the United States have used my recipe to enjoy a eggnog, a nostalgic treat, since their current location doesn’t even know what eggnog is. They thought they’d never have it again and my recipe helped them enjoy an old favorite.
I mean. How flipping cool is that?
So, for those of you who do have access to eggnog, but who want to also enjoy a healthy, clean eating lifestyle and avoid any struggle with weight, I give you Light Eggnog.
- It’s creamy.
- It’s smooth.
- It’s thick.
- It’s cinnamony and nutmegy.
- It’s freaking eggnog. Light.
- And without the alcohol.
Yes, you can rejoice now.
HOW TO MAKE EGGNOG
This healthy non-alcoholic eggnog recipe is very easy and it involves just a few simple steps. To make the healthy homemade eggnog:
- add almond milk, honey, egg yolks, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender and blend for approximately 1 minute or until smooth;
- pour the mixture from the blender into a saucepan and add cloves;
- cook the eggnog on medium heat for 10-15 minutes;
- once the eggnog thickened, add vanilla extract;
- use a fine mesh strainer to remove cloves;
- transfer the eggnog into an airtight container and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
- to make the eggnog even more cinnamony and nutmegy, sprinkle a little cinnamon and a little nutmeg before serving.
OMG! This is eggnog bliss!
WHAT IS EGGNOG MADE OF?
Wondering what is eggnog made of, traditionally (i.e. NOT how I make it)?
Well, egg yolks and milk are used to get the thick texture and egg whites are used to make it airy and frothy. Some like to add some heavy cream to get a creamy and rich texture. Traditionally, eggnog is made with raw eggs and alcohol and it's aged for weeks. The alcohol serves as a preservative but also as a sterilizer since it kills any bacteria from the raw eggs.
Now, don't get me wrong -- I still like my eggnog creamy. That’s why I make this almond milk eggnog. Also, I prefer to cook the eggs for eggnog on the stove for safety reasons and because I make a non-alcoholic eggnog that my kids can enjoy as well.
IS EGGNOG HEALTHY?
Eggnog is pretty loaded with refined sugar and heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. Delicious? Yes. Clean? Not so much.
Is eggnog good for you? Not if you follow the traditional recipe.
But this light eggnog recipe is a different story.
How to make healthy eggnog:
- replace full-fat milk with almond milk;
- add more almond milk and skip the sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream;
- use raw honey instead of sugar.
Making almond milk eggnog is the easiest way to make healthy eggnog. And a delicious way too.
For another healthier hot drink, check out my hot apple cider recipe.
HOW TO MAKE EGGNOG ON THE STOVE
I already mentioned that I prefer to cook the eggs for the eggnog so that means I make eggnog on the stove. You already know the steps but here are some extra tips to make sure that our eggnog will turn out perfect:
- Cook the eggs slowly until they start to thicken.
- At first, the mixture will be frothy but then it will start to thicken so don't worry.
- You want the mixture to get hot but you don’t want it to boil or simmer. If the mixture starts boiling, remove from the heat temporarily. Then continue cooking until the eggnog thickened.
WHAT LIQUOR GOES IN EGGNOG
If you want to transform this non-alcoholic eggnog into an alcoholic eggnog, you’re probably wondering what liquor goes in eggnog.
Brown liquors are the best for eggnog so try:
- bourbon;
- brandy;
- rum.
If you choose to make an alcoholic version, add the alcohol in the egg yolk mixture and continue with the steps as listed in the recipe.
HOW LONG DOES EGGNOG LAST?
This non-alcoholic eggnog lasts for 3-4 days in the fridge if stored properly in an airtight container.
You can also freeze eggnog and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months, though this will cause a little change in the creamy texture.
Told you this eggnog can be enjoyed all year round! <--- LOVE
MORE HEALTHY HOLIDAY DRINK RECIPES
When creating a healthy holiday menu, people often tend to forget about their drinks. But drinks mean many extra calories and tons of ingredients that are not clean and healthy if you do not pay attention to them. So you most definitely have to make your drinks healthier too if you want to maintain your clean lifestyle. I want to help you so, besides this yummy eggnog, I have two other healthy holiday drink recipes for you.
HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
There’s no Fall or Winter without hot chocolate in my house. Not to worry though, my hot chocolate is always healthy. And I can teach you How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix from scratch. Your kids will love the hot chocolate and so will you.
This homemade hot chocolate mix is paleo, gluten-free, clean eating, and it can be easily made vegan. Besides milk, my hot chocolate mix contains unsweetened cocoa powder, cinnamon, coconut sugar, sea salt, and vanilla powder. Sounds yum, right?
HOMEMADE HEALTHY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE RECIPE
Another drink I love during this time of the year is pumpkin spice latte. But you guessed it, I make it at home and it’s healthy. Homemade Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe? Yes, please!
This pumpkin spice latte is very easy to make. Plus you can adjust the spices to fit your taste and make your taste buds dance from joy.
Light Non-Alcoholic Eggnog
Equipment
- blender
- Stock Pot or Large Deep Skillet
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 4 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 6 egg yolks
- ⅔ cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for topping
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a kitchen blender, add the unsweetened almond milk, egg yolks, raw honey, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon, and then blend for a minute or so until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a sauce pan or deep pot, add the whole cloves, and heat over medium heat.
- Cook the eggnog for about 10-15 minutes until it starts to thicken and slowly cook the eggs. It will be frothy at first.
- We want the mixture to get hot, but not simmer or boil. If it gets close to boiling, you can whisk vigorously and temporarily remove from the heat.
- Once the eggnog has thickened, turn off the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer to remove the cloves, then pour into an airtight container and place in the fridge to chill for 6-8 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to serve, we love to sprinkle with a little nutmeg and cinnamon.
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Extra noggy is always a good thing, especially this time of year. I've suffered with lack of noggy for months. This looks really good.
Lacey Baier
Thanks, Maureen! Get your noggy on 🙂
David and Lee
This will be our first time making this recipe, and im wondering if I messed it up. I did temper the eggs, but there were these little pieces on the bottom of the pot.
I did strain everything, and now we have to cool it. Do you think it will be ok?
Lacey Baier
Very good question. I'm wondering if your heat was up too high and it cooked the eggs on the bottom of the pot? After straining, I'd check the flavor -- it might just be fine.
Brittany
Yay! I have ALWAYS loved eggnog! This will allow me to do something not so high in lactose! Like Nia, will have to do some experimenting...
Lacey Baier
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Brittany 🙂
Nia
I too have never tasted eggnog. Bought some mass produced stuff. I don't think it was supposed to taste like that. I don't drink dairy milk or use white sugar. Was wondering, how would this recipe fare using soy or almond milk and raw sugar? My mister would love to have a vat of eggnog throughout the year. Please advise.
Lacey Baier
I'd bet it would still turn out tasty, but I've yet to try those variations. If you try, I'd love to know how it goes!
Jason
I am 29 and have never tasted eggnog in my life, but for some reason this Christmas I am very curious about it. I researched a ton of recipes and this is the one I've chosen to be my first experience of eggnog. I will update you in a while to let you know how it all turns out!
Jason
Amazing recipe! How have I not known about eggnog all my life? I am definitely making a big batch of this when we gather with the family on Christmas eve. Thanks!
Lacey Baier
Yay!!! Welcome to the wonderful world of 'nog, Jason 🙂
Renee
Perhaps. I thought I had tempered slowly enough, but next time I will temper more slowly! 🙂 How long will this keep in the fridge before going bad? Thanks so much for the yummy recipe!
Lacey Baier
It should last for a few days, but not much longer. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Renee
Tasted delicious! But I did something wrong because it was way too thick and kind of "grainy." Any ideas? But the flavor is out of this world!
Lacey Baier
Maybe you didn't temper the eggs slowly enough and they partially cooked?
kristen
WOW!!!!! That was great..... i loved it!!!! thank you soooo much for the recipe 😀
Lacey Baier
You're so very welcome, Kristen. So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
James
Burned the first attempt 🙁 and worse it was a double batch =(
I'll get back to you.
Lacey Baier
oh no! I hope it went better the second time around. 🙁
Haley
This was my first time making eggnog and let me tell you it did not disappoint. It tasted just like the eggnog at my hometowns little dairy. I had some my friend made a couple days after I made mine and hers was no where as good. MMMM! Thank you!
Lacey Baier
You're very welcome, Haley! Isn't is so yummy? 😉
Krysta Perkins
I'm super excited about trying this recipe out! My husband must have the same eggnog "radar" yours does! By the time winter rolls around, he practically lives off the stuff. This will be perfect with practicing my cooking and saving us money since he drinks so much of it.
I signed up to your blog and have been exploring all night. This is just amazing. Thanks so much!
Lacey Baier
You're so very welcome, Krysta! I hope you and your husband enjoy the eggnog recipe. Thanks for signing up. I hope to see you around 🙂
Aubrey Wellington
I was wondering which milk you are suppose to use. In one place it says sweetened condensed and then in directions it says evaporated. So i was wondering which to use.
I cant wait to make this! Looks so yummy
Lacey Baier
Ooops! I am SO sorry -- thanks for the heads up on that error. Definitely condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
Charles - Alcoholism help
Great, for a recovering alcoholic like me, to have access to non-alcoholic drink recipes.
Cheers!
Lacey Baier
Cheers (and congrats), Charles! 🙂
Zach
Extra Noggy! Awesome. Miss you guys!
Lacey Baier
Gotta love Dustin and his "Dustin-isms," right, Zach? 🙂 We miss you guys too!
Dustin Baier
This was so good. Best eggnog I have ever had. Thanks for making it for me 🙂
Lacey Baier
Hi Dustin! Of course! I'm so glad you liked it. 🙂