Gingerbread Eggnog: The Coziest Holiday Drink

There’s nothing better during the holidays than a drink that warms your heart and feels like a big hug in a mug.

This Gingerbread Eggnog does exactly that! It’s creamy, spiced with all the cozy flavors of gingerbread, and feels like sipping Christmas.

Kids will love it (without the booze, of course), and adults can enjoy it with a little splash of something extra if they like.

I started making this a few years ago, and now it’s a must-have in our family every holiday season.

Whether you’re hosting a party, setting up a movie night, or just want to enjoy something special while wrapping gifts, this is the recipe for you.

Let’s whip it up together!

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1/2 cup bourbon, rum, or brandy for adults
Whipped cream (for topping)
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for garnish)

Tools:

Medium saucepan
Whisk
Mixing bowl
Fine mesh strainer
Ladle
Glass mugs or cups

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Spices: Spices lose their potency over time. Fresh ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg will give your eggnog that bold, delicious flavor.
Whisk Constantly: When heating the mixture, whisk constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. No one wants egg chunks in their eggnog!
Taste Test for Spice: Once the eggnog is done, taste and adjust the spices if needed. Some like it spicier, others less.
Cool Before Adding Alcohol: If you’re adding booze, make sure the eggnog has cooled slightly to avoid the alcohol evaporating.
Make It Fun for Kids: Skip the alcohol and let the kids add whipped cream, sprinkles, or even mini gingerbread cookies on top for a fun twist.

Tools Needed

Medium saucepan
Whisk
Mixing bowl
Fine mesh strainer
Ladle
Glass mugs or cups

Substitutions and Variations

Milk: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Molasses: Can’t find molasses? Use dark brown sugar instead—it’ll still taste amazing.
Spices: Customize the spice mix! Love cardamom or allspice? Add a pinch for a unique twist.
Sugar: Swap granulated sugar for maple syrup or honey for a natural sweetener.
Non-Alcoholic: Skip the booze entirely for a family-friendly drink.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can make the eggnog up to 2 days ahead of time! Just store it in the fridge in a sealed container and give it a good stir or whisk before serving. The flavors will actually get better as they sit!

How to Make Gingerbread Eggnog

1. Heat the Milk and Cream

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, molasses, and a pinch of salt. Heat it over medium heat until it’s warm and steamy, but don’t let it boil.

2. Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.

3. Temper the Eggs

Slowly ladle about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This helps to slowly raise the temperature of the eggs so they don’t scramble. Once combined, pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan.

4. Cook and Add Spices

Cook the eggnog over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract.

5. Strain and Cool

Pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl or pitcher to catch any lumps. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the chilled eggnog into mugs or glasses, top with whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg, and add a cinnamon stick for garnish.

Leftovers and Storage

Store leftover eggnog in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a stir or shake before serving. For a fun leftover twist, use it as creamer in your morning coffee or drizzle it over pancakes!