Family Friendly Non-Alcoholic Holiday Eggnog Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is eggnog safe for kids to drink? ›

When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.

If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.

Cover and refrigerate.

The more liquor you add, the longer it will keep — non-alcoholic eggnog should be consumed within 1 day; eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup of liquor will keep for several days; and eggnog with 1 1/2 cups of liquor will keep for several weeks and continue aging and thickening quite nicely.

“While only 1 in every 20,000 eggs contains salmonella, no one wants to spend their holiday in the hospital,” the University of Wyoming Extension says. But since store-bought eggnog has already been pasteurized, it's safe to drink with no additional preparation, the University of Minnesota Extension says.

“According to the American Heart Association, kids ages 2-18 should have less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day,” says Silverman. “Eggnog has a good amount of sugar in the drink that could bump a kid's intake for the day. The fat can also be high if a large dose of cream is part of the recipe.”

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.

A fresh batch of eggnog can mature for months, or even years. And some say that's a good thing.

Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.

The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.

Rompope traditionally contains alcohol, so it is not recommended for children to consume. However, non-alcoholic versions can be made for children to enjoy during holiday celebrations. It's important to ensure that children are not served the alcoholic version.

Is Eggnog Served Hot or Cold? Eggnog is traditionally served as a punch at parties, and as such, is usually chilled or room temperature. However, warmed eggnog is also a delightful treat. In this case, we say "to each your own!" Enjoy your eggnog however you like it.

What tastes good in eggnog? ›

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.

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.

Eggnog is traditionally made with eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. It's often spiked with brandy, rum or other liquor, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks.

Blend 2 cups milk, sugar, pudding mix, rum-flavored extract, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a blender on medium-high speed until smooth; pour into a pitcher. Stir remaining 3 cups milk into mixture. Refrigerate eggnog until thickened, at least 1 hour. Stir well before serving.

Both homemade and commercial eggnogs are made in alcohol-free versions and recipes in which alcoholic beverages, generally brown, aged spirits such as bourbon, brandy or rum are added during preparation or directly to the cup after the nog is poured.

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.