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National Eggnog Day

Drink · December 24

Eggnog is a rich, spiced drink of milk, cream, sugar and eggs. Here is what it is like, how people serve it, and how to make it safely at home.

National Eggnog Day falls on Thursday, December 24, 2026. That is 58 days away.

Eggnog is a thick, sweet drink made from milk, cream, sugar and eggs, usually finished with a dusting of nutmeg. It tastes like a pourable custard, which is close to what it is.

The texture is the first thing people notice. Good eggnog coats the glass and the spoon, and it is meant to be sipped slowly and cold. Some people add cinnamon or vanilla. Some add a splash of rum, brandy or bourbon, and plenty leave it plain.

Most people meet eggnog from a carton in the dairy case, and that is a fine way to have it. Homemade eggnog is a different project. The safe way is to whisk the yolks, sugar and milk together and cook the base gently over low heat, stirring, until it thickens into a thin custard that coats the back of a spoon. Then chill it and stir in the cream. If you want the old frothy style with whipped egg whites, use pasteurized eggs, which are sold in cartons and in the shell at many grocery stores. Raw, unpasteurized eggs can carry Salmonella, so skip them here.

Fresh nutmeg grated over the top smells noticeably brighter than the jarred powder. A small whole nutmeg and a fine grater last a long time, and they will make even a store carton taste a little more like something you fussed over.

Ways to celebrate

• Pour a cold glass of store eggnog and grate fresh nutmeg on top.
• Cook a small custard base gently on the stove, then chill it.
• Use pasteurized eggs if your recipe calls for whipped whites.
• Compare two store brands side by side with a friend.
• Stir a spoonful of eggnog into your morning coffee.

Dates

All national days on December 24

Also on December 24

• Christmas Eve
• Feast of the Seven Fishes
• Last-Minute Shopper's Day

Categories: Drink days