Food & Cooking Recipes Drink Recipes Martha's Classic Eggnog 4.0 (211) It's the recipe she makes every year. Servings: 12 Jump to recipe Martha makes this eggnog recipe every year ahead of her annual holiday party. Her recipe is rich with cream and potent, featuring three types of liquor—dark rum, bourbon, and cognac—so it's best served in small cups. Martha's recipe calls for six eggs, sugar, heavy cream, milk, the three types of alcohol, and nutmeg for garnish. It is not cooked, so use the freshest eggs you can find for the best taste. Credit: Gentl and Hyers Martha Says the Holidays Aren't a Time to Be Zen—'Live It Up a Little' What Is Eggnog? Eggnog tastes like a boozy custard. It's made with dairy, often a mix of milk and heavy cream, and sweetened with sugar. Eggs give it a rich texture. There are eggnog recipes where the egg yolks are heated, and ones like this recipe where the yolks—and whites—are uncooked. Generally, the yolks are added along with the dairy, and the whites are whipped separately and folded into the eggnog for serving. Eggnog is often spiked with brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon—or all the above. Ground nutmeg is the finishing touch. The egg yolks and whites in this recipe are not cooked. This dish should not be prepared for pregnant women, the elderly, young children, or anyone whose health is compromised. Make Ahead This eggnog is a two-day process, and is mostly made the day before serving. The egg yolks, sugar, milk, and cream are combined and the alcohol is added to allow the flavors to meld. Then, the egg whites are whipped and added just before serving. Directions Beat yolks and add sugar: Beat yolks in a very large bowl until thick and pale. Slowly beat in sugar. Add milk and cream: Whisk in milk and 2 cups cream. Add alcohol: Mix in bourbon, rum, and Cognac. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Serve: Just before serving, beat whites until stiff peaks form. Fold whites into eggnog. Whisk remaining 1 cup cream until stiff peaks form, and fold into eggnog. (Alternatively, you can fold half the whipped cream into eggnog, and top with remaining half.) Sprinkle with nutmeg. How to Store Eggnog If you have leftover eggnog, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Note that the flavor and texture of the eggnog are best on the first day. Frequently Asked Questions Why do you drink eggnog? Eggnog is traditionally drunk around Christmas and New Year's Eve. A cup of the rich drink was thought to invite prosperity into your home, though today eggnog is more about good cheer and holiday indulgence. Eggnog is English and was brought to the U.S. by settlers, where it became more popular than in its homeland. The drink itself is thought to be derived from posset, a holiday drink enjoyed by monks that is also made of milk and eggs and laced with ale or wine rather than hard liquor. Why does store-bought eggnog taste different? Store-bought eggnog is a rich beverage, usually made without alcohol. To make it last longer on shelves, many brands include thickeners and stabilizers as well as colors and flavors, which makes it taste different than homemade. Is eggnog served warm or cold? Eggnog is usually served like a punch, at room temperature or chilled. It can also be heated gently and enjoyed as a warming drink. 5 More Festive Drink Recipes to Try Hot Buttered Rum Mulled White Wine Cinnamon Sour Cocktail Cranberry Mule Candy Cane Cocktail Updated by Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the decorvow recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.