Toast the Holidays With 8 Festive Takes on Eggnog From classic homemade eggnog to creative cocktails and decadent nog-flavored desserts, these are recipes to make all season. By Molly McArdle Molly McArdle Molly McArdle is Food & Wine's Updates Editor. She has written and edited stories about food, wine, culture, place, and technology for more than 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, GQ, Esquire, Oxford American, The Believer, Bookforum, and many more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 20, 2025 Add Us On Close Credit: Photo by Victor Protasio / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Few things signal the holiday season like the appearance of eggnog on your grocery store's shelves. (We love the store-bought variety so much, we tasted them all to find the best eggnog of the bunch.) But for those in the know, there's nothing like a cup of homemade eggnog: creamy, fluffy, sweet, strong, and often spoonable. You'll find recipes below that showcase the versatility and pure indulgence of this holiday favorite, from a classic take on homemade eggnog to a vegan version to spirited variations like the Tom and Jerry and Puerto Rico’s coconut-rich coquito. Don't miss the nog-flavored desserts, either. Keep all of your recipes at your fingertips. With the MyRecipes app you can easily save and organize your favorites from anywhere, including Instagram and TikTok, in one convenient place. Get the free app. 01 of 08 Baltimore Eggnog Food & Wine / Photo by Jake Sternquist / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Dera Burreson Capture the richness of traditional nog without committing to a large batch. Cognac, dark rum, and Madeira create a layered, lightly boozy backbone, while dairy and a whole egg give the drink its signature creaminess. Get the Recipe Save 02 of 08 Homemade Eggnog Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele To make rich, creamy homemade eggnog, you'll need a makeshift double boiler (or a bowl and a saucepan) and a whisk. In just two steps, you'll have a festive drink — and it can easily be prepared in advance. Get the Recipe Save 03 of 08 Eggnog Cheesecake Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Christina Brockman There's a lot to love about this Eggnog Cheesecake, especially if the creamy, sweet drink is one of your holiday favorites. The filling is made with actual eggnog, as well as fragrant vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and light brown sugar to really drive the flavor home. Get the Recipe Save 04 of 08 Vegan Eggnog Photo by Victor Protasio / Prop Styling by Christine Keely "My fiancé and I cut out alcohol (and dairy as well, for him), but my love for 'Christmas in a cup' remained; I found a way to still enjoy it without sacrificing the festive flavors," says chef Jennifer Carroll. Rice, almond milk, and tahini form the creamy backbone of her decadent vegan nog. Get the Recipe 05 of 08 Coquito Food & Wine / Photo by Carson Downing / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Sue Mitchell Sometimes called coconut eggnog, coquito is served at Christmas and throughout the holiday season in Puerto Rico. This version of the traditional creamy rum punch takes its richness and viscosity from coconut cream and evaporated milk, while warming spices and white rum add aroma and flavor. Get the Recipe Save 06 of 08 Tom and Jerry Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele A holiday staple, the Tom and Jerry is a classic cocktail featuring Cognac and rum that recalls eggnog in both look and flavor. Get the Recipe Save 07 of 08 Coquito Cheesecake Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen 2021 F&W Best New Chef Paola Velez channels the creamy richness and warming spices of the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink into a lush, custardy dessert. Coconut cream, dark rum, nutmeg, and vanilla infuse the silky filling, while a Maria cookie crust adds delicate sweetness and structure. Get the Recipe Save 08 of 08 Sticky Toffee Pudding Eggnog Wendell Webber Eben Freeman reimagines eggnog with the buttery, caramelly notes of Britain’s sticky toffee pudding, landing somewhere between a drink and a dessert. "It's thick enough to eat with a spoon," he says. "So was classic eggnog." Get the Recipe Save Explore more: Drinks Cocktails Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit