A Family-Friendly & Nutrient-Dense Holiday Eggnog

If you’re looking for a cozy holiday drink the whole family can enjoy, my homemade eggnog delivers on flavor and nourishment.

The holiday season is full of nostalgic flavors, cozy gatherings, and foods that connect us to meaningful traditions. Eggnog is one of those classics - rich, creamy and comforting... But store-bought versions are often loaded with gums, fillers, refined sugars, and ingredients most of us try to avoid.

The good news? You can easily make a homemade version that’s just as delicious and packed with nutrients for the whole family. This holiday eggnog is naturally sweetened, protein-rich, full of nourishing fats, and has that festive spiced flavor everyone loves. In this article, you’ll learn how to make a nutrient-dense, family friendly eggnog!

Why Homemade Eggnog Is My Favorite!

Most conventional eggnogs contain lots of sugar (or even high-fructose corn syrup), artificial flavors, preservatives, and stabilizers. Homemade eggnog is different - it’s fresh, simple, and full of real-food ingredients! This is a dessert drink you can feel good about! In fact, I’ve been known to whip this up all through the year for my picky-eaters to give them a dose of nutrition that tastes like a milkshake! My nutrient-dense eggnog recipe provides:

High-Quality Protein

Eggs are a complete protein source, rich in choline for brain health, methylation, and sustained energy.

To learn more about why I love to incorporate eggs in my cooking, read these articles:

Healthy Fats for Growing Brains

Quality grass-fed, full-fat milk and cream support brain health, steady blood sugar, and provide fat-soluble vitamins kids need.

You might like this article, too: How To Handle High Sugar Events Like Halloween As A Parent of Young Children

Anti-Inflammatory Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves support digestion, immunity, and metabolic health! I like to source the highest quality spices I can get for my holiday recipes.

Looking for more delicious recipes with warming spices? Try these!

Is Homemade Eggnog Safe for Pregnancy and Kids?

Yes, when you cook the eggs properly. Raw egg eggnog isn’t recommended for babies, kids, pregnant moms, or anyone with a sensitive immune system.

But cooked eggnog - also called custard-style eggnog - is completely safe.

How We Ensure the Eggs Are Safe

Bacteria, including Salmonella, are killed when eggs are heated to 160°F (71°C).

This recipe uses a gentle cooking process, so the mixture thickens slightly (like a thin custard) without scrambling. It stays creamy, smooth, and delicious - but family-safe.

If you prefer to use raw eggs and trust your local source (such as fresh, pasture-raised eggs from a reputable farm), you can skip the heating step. Just note that doing so carries a small food safety risk.

Looking to learn more about food safety? Read this article: Food Poisoning: Symptoms, Remedies, and When To Call a Doctor

Dr. Green Mom’s Real-Food Holiday Eggnog

This recipe is delicious and family-friendly and uses nutrient-dense, whole-food ingredients.

🍴 Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

3 cups grass-fed whole milk (or 2 cups milk + 1 cup cream for extra richness)

4 pasture raised egg yolks

⅓ cup pure maple syrup (more or less to taste)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)

Pinch of ground cloves (optional)

Pinch of sea salt

Optional nutrient boosters:

1-2 scoops grass-fed collagen

A dash of turmeric for added anti-inflammatory support

Directions

1. Warm the milk.

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low until steaming (not boiling).

2. Whisk the egg yolks and maple syrup.

In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and maple syrup until creamy and pale.

3. Temper the eggs.

Slowly pour ½ cup of the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously. (This gently warms the eggs so they don’t scramble.)

4. Combine and cook to 160°F.

Return everything to the saucepan. Cook on very low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 160°F. At this temperature, harmful bacteria are inactivated (you’re essentially pasteurizing the mixture). The mixture will thicken slightly and coat the back of a spoon. (If you don’t have a thermometer: cook until it lightly coats the back of a spoon and a finger swipe leaves a clean line.)

5. Add spices and vanilla.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sea salt.

6. Blend for extra creaminess (optional but amazing!).

Pour into a blender. Add collagen if using. Blend 20-30 seconds.

7. Chill.

Refrigerate 2-3 hours. It thickens beautifully as it cools.

8. Serve.

Pour into festive glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon. You can warm it gently before serving if you prefer a cozy, hot version.

You might like this article, too: Introducing Whole Milk to Toddlers: What Parents Should Know.

Summary

If you’re looking for a cozy holiday drink the whole family can enjoy, this homemade eggnog delivers on flavor and nourishment. I’m all about a 70/30 balance this time of year, and this recipe fits beautifully into that mix. With real-food ingredients and gently cooked eggs for safety, you get a festive, creamy drink that’s protein-rich, family-friendly, and absolutely delicious!