8 Eggnog Cocktail Ideas to Enjoy With Store-Bought Eggnog

1. Traditional Spiked Eggnog

For a classic take, spike your store-bought eggnog with your preferred liquor such as brandy, bourbon, or rum. This simple recipe yields six 6½-ounce servings. To create the perfect balance, combine one part liquor with five parts eggnog, and garnish with a dash of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg for a festive boozy treat.

Ingredients

• One carton (32 ounces) of eggnog
• 6 ounces of brandy, bourbon, or rum
• A pinch of cinnamon
• Freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

In a 40-ounce or larger pitcher, combine eggnog and your choice of spirits. Pour the mixture into glasses, then garnish with a dusting of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.

2. Cinnamon Whiskey Eggnog

Floyd recommends transforming a simple bottle of whiskey from your bar into a spiced cinnamon version that can stand toe-to-toe with your favorite commercial brand. Mix this cinnamon whiskey with store-bought eggnog, and you'll have a fiery holiday cocktail perfect for keeping you warm during chilly winter nights.

Ingredients

• One bottle (750 milliliters to 1 liter) of whisky
• 3 ounces of simple syrup or agave
• 6 to 8 cinnamon sticks
• 3 to 5 dried chili peppers (optional)
• 1 vanilla bean (optional)
• One carton (32 ounces) of eggnog

Instructions

1. In a large glass jar (at least 40 ounces in size), combine the whisky, simple syrup, and cinnamon sticks.
2. Close the jar tightly with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for 3 to 5 days, giving it a shake now and then.
3. If you wish, after a few days, add the dried chili peppers and vanilla bean, reseal the jar, and let it sit for an additional day or two (optional).
4. Strain the infused whiskey and mix 2 ounces of the liquid with 4 ounces of eggnog for each serving.

3. Fire Smoked Eggnog

In a viral TikTok video, Floyd shows how to infuse a drink with smoke, adding depth of flavor, an aromatic touch, and a bit of flair. He starts by preparing a classic cocktail—an old fashioned—then ignites a rosemary sprig, carefully smothering it with an overturned shaker that traps the smoke inside the glass.

Repeat the same steps using your preferred eggnog recipe to create the ideal fireside drink. The outcome is a smoky eggnog cocktail that will awaken your senses, fill the air with a pleasant aroma, and impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 5 ounces of eggnog
• 1 ounce of brandy, bourbon, or rum
• 1 sprig of rosemary

Instructions

1. In a cocktail glass, combine eggnog with your choice of spirits and stir gently.
2. Light the rosemary sprig and place it under an upside-down shaker, allowing the smoke to form as the flame is extinguished.
3. Once the shaker is filled with smoke, remove the sprig and quickly place the smoke-filled shaker over the cocktail glass to infuse the drink.
4. Let the smoke steep into the eggnog for at least one minute, then remove the shaker and serve.

4. Eggnog Martini

For vodka lovers, an eggnog martini is an elegant holiday cocktail that captures the festive spirit. This shaken cocktail blends store-bought eggnog with vanilla vodka and amaretto, offering a silky, dessert-like alternative.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces of eggnog
• 1 ounce of vanilla-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce of amaretto
• A dash of cinnamon
• Freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine eggnog, vanilla-flavored vodka, and amaretto. Shake thoroughly until well mixed, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Sprinkle with cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

5. Spicy Horchata-Style Eggnog

This twist on a traditional Mexican drink uses store-bought eggnog and jalapeño-infused tequila for a sweet yet spicy cocktail. For the fiery kick, Floyd suggests combining your preferred tequila with jalapeño pieces—seeds included for extra heat—and a cinnamon stick in a mason jar.

Once the spicy tequila reaches the perfect flavor, mix it with mezcal and eggnog to create a festive, south-of-the-border version of a holiday classic. For an extra touch, Floyd recommends adding a splash of chai syrup for warmth and finishing with a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings for a garnish that's sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of tequila
• 1 ounce of sliced jalapeño (seeds included)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 8 ounces of mezcal
• 1 carton (32 ounces) of eggnog
• 2 ounces of chai syrup (optional)
• 2 ounces of dark chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. In a mason jar (pint or quart size), combine the tequila with the jalapeño slices and cinnamon stick.
2. Let the mixture rest in a cool, dark location for about one day, occasionally tasting and shaking until the spice level is just right for your preference.
3. For each glass, pour 1 ounce of the spicy tequila, 1 ounce of mezcal, and 4 ounces of eggnog.
4. Top off each drink with 1½ teaspoons of chai syrup and garnish with 1½ teaspoons of dark chocolate shavings (optional).

What Is Horchata?

6. Non-Alcoholic Eggnog Milkshake

In a TikTok video, @officialfunfoods demonstrates how to create a delicious eggnog milkshake by blending 1 cup of eggnog with 3 to 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream until smooth and creamy. The drink is topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of eggnog
• 3 to 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon

Directions

Blend the eggnog and ice cream together until smooth and creamy, then pour the mixture into glasses. Top each milkshake with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a straw for serving.

7. White Russian Eggnog

This decadent cocktail is the perfect way to bring joy to your holiday season. It takes the classic three-ingredient white Russian and adds a festive twist by swapping out the usual heavy cream for store-bought eggnog.

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce Kahlúa
• 1 ounce eggnog
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice (optional garnish)

Instructions

In a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, combine vodka and Kahlúa. Pour in eggnog and stir gently. Optionally, top with a sprinkle of your favorite spice.

8. Sparkling Eggnog Mocktail

FRE Wines posted a TikTok video showing how to prepare a sparkling eggnog mocktail. It's a way to toast with a non-alcoholic sparkling Brut—egg nog style. Simply pour 1 cup of your preferred eggnog into a chilled glass, then add half a cup of FRE Sparkling Brut. Finish with a garnish of your choice. (For an alcoholic version, swap in regular sparkling white wine.)

Ingredients

• 1 cup of eggnog
• 0.5 cup of non-alcoholic sparkling white wine
• Red sprinkles and/or a candy cane for decoration

Instructions

Pour 1 cup of eggnog into a chilled glass. Top it off with half a cup of sparkling white wine. Sprinkle red decorations on top of the bubbles and add a candy cane for extra festive flair.

How to Create an Eggnog Bar

What could be simpler than a cocktail that begins with ready-made eggnog? The answer is an eggnog bar, where guests can mix their own signature eggnog drink. Pour the eggnog into a beautiful pitcher as the focal point, surrounded by an assortment of spirits, spices, and sweet treats for guests to craft their ideal eggnog blend.

Ingredients

• Eggnog
• Spirits: rum, bourbon, whiskey, and/or brandy
• Whipped cream
• Syrups: caramel and/or chocolate
• Spices: nutmeg, cinnamon (both sticks and ground), and/or pumpkin spice
• Optional glass rimming: crushed gingersnap cookies, red-hot candies, or cinnamon sugar

Instructions

Pour a carton of eggnog into a pitcher or punch bowl, and set up a festive buffet alongside it, complete with a selection of spirits, toppings, and spices. You might also consider preparing glasses with decorative rims. From here, you and your guests can mix your own drinks, sip, and enjoy the holiday cheer!