Eggnog is an interesting food item. When you ask if someone likes eggnog, the question generally results in one of two extreme reactions: one of love and the other of loathing. We didn’t grow up drinking eggnog in my household. Looking back, my only experience with it was seeing punchbowls filled to the brim in Christmas movies and someone always adding a splash or two of bourbon. And because the idea of making an egg-based drink myself gives me a bit of a pause, I always resort to the trusty store-bought carton.
So of course, this felt like the perfect opportunity for this year’s holiday Taste-Off. That’s right—we’re finding out once and for all which store-bought brand makes the best eggnog. And if you’re not an eggnog enthusiast yourself, don’t worry—there are plenty other uses for its creamy goodness. In fact, I got so inspired that I used the winner as a replacement for milk in our Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. (Rumor has it that it was the best pie I had made in years.)
Taste-Off: The Best Eggnog Brand
In our search for the best eggnog, we tried it all. Versions that leaned thick and creamy, dairy-free almond and oat nogs, and of course, the classics. And when it came to the end of our tasting, one brand emerged as the clear winner.
So keep reading on for the best store-bought eggnog we could find at the grocery store—plus the one we’ll be keeping in the fridge for the holidays!
Ranking Guidelines
A little internet sleuthing about the history of eggnog told me a few things. To start, people who say they don’t like eggnog generally haven’t tried the real thing. Interestingly too, I discovered that store-bought eggnogs are sometimes referred to as milk nog because of how little egg yolk can actually be included. With that in mind, we were searching for the best possible option to replace the homemade kind.
Flavor.If you don’t like eggnog because you think it tastes like eggs, you probably haven’t had a great recipe. When I think of eggnog, my immediate description is that it’s like drinking melted ice cream. It’s sweet, with a subtle spicy flavor that feels like infusing the milk with the spices instead of being overwhelmingly spice-forward. We were looking for a sweet but not too sweet eggnog that had a complementary spice flavor. This would be balanced out by the sharpness of adding bourbon. (None of the store-bought eggnogs had alcohol in the ingredient list.)
Texture.The texture should be thick, creamy, and lean custard-like. Some people say that as you drink it, it should coat your throat. (Appetizing, right?) Regardless, the texture we were looking for from store-bought versions was thick, not watery, and extra creamy.
The Not-So Greats
It felt slightly impossible to rank all of the eggnogs we purchased in numerical order. There were some that we just really didn’t like and couldn’t rank them against each other in a way that felt objective.
Here’s who fell to the bottom of our rankings, in no particular order. And if you’re feeling bold, try them out yourself.
Trader Joe’s Regular Eggnog and Oat Nog
While we consider ourselves Trader Joe’s stans, the two nogs had a watery texture. The oat nog version lacked any discernible flavor and the regular version tasted almost artificial with vanilla.
This eggnog, while extremely thick in texture, was “like air freshener in the mouth,” though some said it would be easily remedied with a healthy splash of bourbon.
When it came to eggnogs that were branded as “drinkable” but not fan favorites, Lactaid Eggnog and Almond Breeze Nog came in the middle. They weren’t extremely thick in texture, and the flavors fell flatter than the winners. But if these were the only option at the store, we wouldn’t necessarily pass them up.
We were surprised by this sleeper hit. The private label Simple Truth Eggnog was my dad’s favorite. It was more nutmeg-heavy in the spice flavor, while also being very thick in texture. Some tasters thought this one had a slightly artificial aftertaste, but not enough to demote it. Overall, a good option.
A more regional and seasonal flavor from 1836 Farms, this was my personal favorite eggnog. The texture was nicely thick without being overwhelming. It didn’t taste artificial in any way and felt like one of the most drinkable options in the group. We’ll have this one on hand for the season.
And the winner for our favorite store-bought eggnog comes from Southern Comfort. This eggnog had a clear spice flavor that was warming and delicious and a thick and creamy texture that merited the melted ice cream comparison. If you’re not going to make eggnog from scratch, this is a great option to have on hand.
Best Eggnog to Spike: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
“This is thick, rich and pleasantly sweet thanks to baking spices,” one editor said. Another liked its deep yellow color because it felt “like real, homemade eggnog”, and most of our testers felt it would play best with whiskey or rum.
Best Eggnog to Spike: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
“This is thick, rich and pleasantly sweet thanks to baking spices,” one editor said. Another liked its deep yellow color because it felt “like real, homemade eggnog”, and most of our testers felt it would play best with whiskey or rum.
Second, traditional home-made nog is a raw egg drink. Made fresh, it comes out simultaneously rich but light, thick but foamy. Commercial eggnogs have none of the foaminess of a freshly shaken drink, and on top of that, must be pasteurized, essentially turning it into a cooked crème anglaise-like custard.
Drizzle a little chocolate sauce into the shaker with the eggnog for a chocolate eggnog. Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or turn your eggnog into an iced eggnog latte by pouring a shot of espresso into the shaker. Either way, you'll feel the spirit of the holidays!
And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.
Overall, the editors who participated in the taste test chose Publix's Original Eggnog as the best store-bought eggnog. Its classic eggnog flavor without being overly sweet won over the testers. “It's the most well-rounded,” said one editor. Another described it as the “closest to homemade.”
Ronnybrook is the closest you can get to perfect homemade eggnog. Our tasters raved over the texture, describing it as "rich," "creamy," and "perfect." The nutmeg flavor is there, but more on the subtle side.
Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe.
It's rich, creamy, sweet, and comforting. And while you can always buy it at the store, it's a heck of a lot better when you make it yourself. Plus, homemade eggnog spiked with SoCo is a surefire way to make sure that all your friends want to hang out at your place during the holiday season.
The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.
Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.
Eggnog is usually served cold, but you may choose to heat it, especially if you're coming in from making snowmen or ice skating. And you can spike eggnog with a splash of brandy, rum or your spirit of choice, but it's also delicious simply spiked with vanilla or cinnamon.
“People have to watch out because alcohol can raise your blood pressure; it can also put people in abnormal heart rhythms,” he notes. Traditional eggnog contains lots of calories, fat and added sugar, so it's best to limit this holiday drink, Freeman says.
In most cases, yes. Most classic eggnog recipes call for raw eggs. "Eggnog made with raw, unpasteurized eggs can contain Salmonella, a leading cause of food poisoning," Lee Cotton, RDN LPN, tells Allrecipes.
It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.) Try substituting heavy cream and full fat dairy products with low fat dairy products or a milk alternative like almond or oat milk.
It is first attested in medieval England in the 14th century. Although the treat originated in Britain, the term eggnog first appeared in Britain's North American colonies—soon to be the United States—in 1775.
Eggnog is a seasonal beverage that is most commonly associated with the winter holiday season, particularly in the United States and Canada. However, if you're looking to buy eggnog year-round, you may find it available in some specialty or international grocery stores, as well as online retailers.
Stewart's Shops Eggnog is Available Year Round! Every season is Eggnog season at Stewart's Shops! Unlike most other brands, we carry 16oz Refreshers of our Premium Eggnog year-round.
And the cult-favorite Traditional Holiday Eggnog Liqueur by Costco's Kirkland Signature brand has finally made its way back to stores — and, as expected, fans have been clearing the shelves. The rich, decadent concoction is made with a blend of whiskey, spiced rum, brandy, real cream and French vanilla.
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