Celebrate the holidays with this simple & quick eggnog made with or without the dairy, and sweetened with natural sweeteners or dates!

Simple & Quick Eggnog :: Dairy Free Option & Date Sweetened or with Natural Sweetners!

Cozy eggnog traditions

We got cozy next to our freshly decorated Christmas tree this weekend with our first batch of eggnog. I don’t remember growing up with the festive drink, but my husband did. So when the girls were little, I figured out how to make it less from a processed carton like the first time I had a sip of eggnog…

Let me take you back to our college years…

I first met my husband during a fall semester, and that December I remember walking into a room to him chugging down a carton of eggnog from the fridge. For real. I had never had eggnog at that point, but years later as I learned about real food, I decided I better figure out how to make real eggnog instead of stand by and watch him down loads of pasteurized toxic milk, fillers, gums, and preservatives. I knew my future children would be watching too, so I figured let’s figure this out!

Simple & Quick Eggnog :: Dairy Free Option & Date Sweetened or with Natural Sweeteners!

The easiest drink you’ll ever make

I remember researching traditional eggnog, and, as it turns out, it is really easy to “real foodify” that carton of junk ingredients at the supermarket. Eggnog is really just an ice cream base with cinnamon or nutmeg without putting it into an ice cream maker! In fact, you can drink it as is, or churn it into ice cream!

How to make eggnog

To make your eggnog, all you’ll need is a blender and a few simple real food ingredients. I use coconut milk for the base, but if you tolerate raw milk/dairy, use that! You’ll add in some raw pastured raised egg yolks and your sweetener of choice, along with cinnamon or nutmeg and cloves. I also love a little grated star anise too. Blend it all up and serve with garnishes of your choice!

Eggnog garnishes

Serve your eggnog with a splash of brandy for the adults if they want. You can set out whipped topping, cinnamon sticks, as well as star anise. I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on the top as well.

What about the alcohol?

If you are serving your eggnog where kids will be around, you can leave the splash of alcohol out. It’s like a nutmeg ice cream milkshake, and the kids will LOVE it! Brandy and bourbon are our favorites to serve it with for adults if we are feeling like spiking it.

Let’s talk about sweetener options for your eggnog

In the last few years I’ve been date sweetening our eggnog, and it is delicious! It all started with how I changed our ice cream making habits to including more whole fruit sweetening versus sugar or honey. When we fruit sweeten, the fiber from the whole fruit slows the sugar spike, and its just a great way to sweeten when you can. Raw honey or pure maple syrup work good too if you don’t have access to dates.

What about the raw egg yolk?

Raw yolks from pastured eggs are a superfood and safe to consume. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can just leave the yolk out! It lends creaminess, and I love the nutritional powerhouse punch! If you don’t have access to pasture raised eggs, I would recommend leaving this part out as well.