Dear Aggie

I always see eggnog during the holidays, but I'm scared to try it. What actually is eggnog?

Trying new things can be scary. I am not a picky eater by any means, but there are certain foods that I am very wary of trying, simply because they don’t initially sound or look appealing. However, eggnog was NOT one of those items for me. My dad always had some kicking around our fridge during the holiday season while I was growing up- and not just one kind! He would often try different brands, slight flavor variations, etc. so we could find ones that we liked best. We definitely picked out some of our favorites over the years that we now regularly buy.

So what is eggnog actually made of? If you have never seen eggnog before, it is a rich, creamy beverage that has a thicker consistency than milk. We can judge just by the name of the holiday beverage that it has eggs in it. In addition to eggs, eggnog typically also has milk, cream, sugar, and festive spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg in it. If you want to try your hand at making your own eggnog at home, there are a ton of recipes out there and lots of ways to customize your eggnog, such as adding other seasonal flavors like pumpkin. One thing to note if choosing to make your own eggnog is to make sure you are tempering the eggs or using pasteurized eggs to avoid consuming raw eggs. Most recipes will have guidance for one or both of these options within them. However, if you would prefer to buy your own, regular grocery stores carry many different brands this time of year and local gas station convenience stores such as Stewart’s and Byrne Dairy also have their own eggnog available.

There are some ways to modify this rich, holiday beverage if you have certain health concerns or dietary restrictions. You can try replacing the heavy cream with more milk if you are looking for a lower fat option. If you are lactose intolerant, you can also try subbing out regular milk for coconut milk. For an alternative sweetener option, try using maple syrup or honey instead of plain sugar. Another simple health consideration is also just to consume eggnog in small amounts and not overdo it, no matter how tasty it is.

Personally, as I mentioned above, I am a big fan of eggnog during the holiday season! I will not publicly name my favorite brands (although I have tried many over the years- so maybe I am an expert??) but I will share my recommendation of mixing eggnog with some regular milk to cut the thickness & richness of the seasonal drink. This is my preference for drinking eggnog and maybe it will be yours too!

By: Abigail Birchenough, CCE Jefferson’s Dairy & Livestock Specialist

Last updated December 15, 2025