15 Eggnog Cocktails So Good They’ll Make You Forget You Ever Hated Eggnog

Let’s be real for a second. Eggnog is polarizing. You either love it with the passion of a thousand holiday suns, or you think it tastes like melted ice cream mixed with regret. I used to be firmly in the “nope” camp until I realized the problem wasn’t eggnog itself—it was the sad, store-bought carton stuff that tastes like someone’s trying way too hard to be festive.

But here’s where things get interesting. When you spike eggnog with the right spirits, add some creative twists, and actually put some thought into it, this holiday classic transforms into something genuinely delicious. I’m talking cocktails that’ll make even the biggest eggnog skeptics do a double-take and ask for the recipe.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, need a cozy drink for a winter night, or just want to impress your in-laws with your mixology skills, these 15 eggnog cocktails have your back. Some are classic, some are totally unexpected, and all of them are ridiculously good. Fair warning: you might end up liking eggnog after this, and I’m not sorry about it.

1. Classic Spiked Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Sometimes you just need the OG. This is eggnog done right—rich, boozy, and exactly what the holidays should taste like.

Ingredients

• 4 cups quality store-bought eggnog (or homemade if you’re fancy)
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/4 cup brandy
• Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour the eggnog into a large pitcher.
2. Add bourbon, rum, and brandy, then stir well.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors marry.
4. Serve in glasses with a generous grating of fresh nutmeg on top.
5. Add cinnamon sticks for stirring if you’re feeling extra.

Why You’ll Love It

The triple-spirit combo creates this complex warmth that makes store-bought eggnog taste homemade. I usually make a big batch of this for parties, and it disappears faster than you’d think. Pro tip: fresh nutmeg makes a massive difference—don’t skip it.

2. Eggnog White Russian

Why it’s awesome: Two creamy classics collide in the best possible way. It’s like The Dude met Santa Claus and they became best friends.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa works great)
• 3 oz eggnog
• Ice
• Whipped cream (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice.
3. Top with eggnog and stir gently.
4. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you’re going full decadent.

Why You’ll Love It

The coffee liqueur cuts through the richness of the eggnog in this magical way that makes it dangerously drinkable. I made these for a Christmas movie marathon last year and barely remember the second half of Elf 🙂

3. Peppermint Bark Eggnog Martini

Why it’s awesome: Like drinking a liquid version of that fancy peppermint bark everyone gives as gifts, except way better.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 2 oz eggnog
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps
• Crushed candy canes for rim
• Chocolate syrup for drizzling
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rim a martini glass with chocolate syrup and crushed candy canes.
2. Add vodka, eggnog, and peppermint schnapps to a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
4. Strain into the prepared glass.
5. Drizzle extra chocolate syrup inside the glass for presentation.

Why You’ll Love It

This drink looks Instagram-worthy and tastes even better than it looks. The peppermint and chocolate combo with creamy eggnog is basically Christmas in a glass.

4. Eggnog Old Fashioned

Why it’s awesome: For when you want to feel sophisticated while still getting into the holiday spirit. Literally.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz eggnog
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel
• Large ice cube

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add bourbon, eggnog, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s all the comfort of eggnog with the complexity of an Old Fashioned. IMO, this is the perfect cocktail for people who think eggnog is too sweet—the bitters and bourbon balance everything out beautifully.

5. Salted Caramel Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Sweet, salty, and completely addictive. This is what happens when eggnog gets a glow-up.

Ingredients

• 2 oz caramel vodka
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1 oz salted caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Sea salt flakes
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Drizzle caramel sauce inside a glass and add ice.
2. Add caramel vodka and eggnog to a shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of sea salt.

Why You’ll Love It

That hit of sea salt at the end transforms this from just another sweet drink into something actually interesting. It’s dessert in a glass, and I’m not mad about it.

6. Eggnog Espresso Martini

Why it’s awesome: For when you need to stay awake for the entire holiday party. Caffeine plus booze plus eggnog equals winning.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz fresh espresso (cooled)
• 2 oz eggnog
• Ice
• Coffee beans for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and eggnog to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake hard for 20 seconds until frothy.
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Float three coffee beans on top for garnish.

Why You’ll Love It

The espresso cuts through the richness of the eggnog, and you get this gorgeous foam on top that makes you look like a professional bartender. Plus, you can drink it at 10 PM and still feel functional.

7. Cinnamon Roll Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Like having dessert and a cocktail at the same time. Why choose when you can have both?

Ingredients

• 2 oz Rumchata
• 2 oz eggnog
• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• Cinnamon sugar for rim
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon stick
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add Rumchata, eggnog, and vanilla vodka, then stir.
4. Top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.

Why You’ll Love It

It tastes exactly like a cinnamon roll in the best way possible. I served these at brunch last Christmas, and people lost their minds. Fair warning—they go down dangerously easy.

8. Eggnog Hot Toddy

Why it’s awesome: Warm, cozy, and perfect for when it’s freezing outside and you need to thaw from the inside out.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1 oz honey
• Hot water
• Lemon wheel
• Cinnamon stick
• Star anise (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat eggnog in a saucepan until steaming (don’t boil).
2. Add bourbon and honey to a mug.
3. Pour in hot eggnog and top with a splash of hot water.
4. Stir with a cinnamon stick and garnish with lemon and star anise.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the ultimate cold-weather drink. The warm eggnog is surprisingly comforting, and the honey and lemon add this bright note that keeps it from being too heavy. I make these after winter hikes, and they’re absolute perfection.

9. Amaretto Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Almond and eggnog are a match made in heaven. Simple, elegant, and ridiculously smooth.

Ingredients

• 2 oz amaretto
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
• Sliced almonds for garnish
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in amaretto, vanilla vodka, and eggnog.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with sliced almonds on top.

Why You’ll Love It

The amaretto adds this nutty sweetness that complements the eggnog without overwhelming it. It’s sophisticated enough for fancy holiday dinners but easy enough to make on a Tuesday night.

10. Coconut Rum Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Tropical vibes meet winter holidays. It’s like a vacation in a glass, which honestly might be exactly what you need during family gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz coconut rum (Malibu works)
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add coconut rum, eggnog, and cream of coconut to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until combined and chilled.
3. Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
4. Top with toasted coconut flakes.

Why You’ll Love It

If you’re tired of the same old holiday flavors, this brings something totally different to the table. The coconut adds this tropical twist that somehow still feels festive. Don’t ask me how—it just works.

11. Chocolate Orange Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Like those chocolate oranges you used to get in your stocking, except boozy and even better.

Ingredients

• 2 oz chocolate liqueur
• 1 oz Grand Marnier
• 3 oz eggnog
• Orange zest
• Cocoa powder
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add chocolate liqueur, Grand Marnier, and eggnog to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a glass.
4. Garnish with orange zest and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Why You’ll Love It

The chocolate-orange combo is nostalgic in the best way, and the Grand Marnier adds this sophisticated edge. I made these for a holiday cookie exchange, and they paired perfectly with basically every cookie there.

12. Gingerbread Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: All the warm spices of gingerbread cookies combined with creamy eggnog. It’s basically Christmas in liquid form.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz ginger liqueur
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1/2 oz molasses
• Ground ginger
• Mini gingerbread cookie for garnish
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add vodka, ginger liqueur, eggnog, and molasses to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until combined.
3. Strain into a glass.
4. Dust with ground ginger and garnish with a mini gingerbread cookie on the rim.

Why You’ll Love It

The molasses and ginger liqueur create this deep, spicy flavor that’s absolutely perfect for the holidays. Plus, you get to garnish it with a cookie, which automatically makes everything better.

13. Apple Pie Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: Two classic holiday desserts walk into a bar… and this is what happens. No regrets.

Ingredients

• 2 oz apple brandy
• 3 oz eggnog
• 1 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup
• Apple slice for garnish
• Cinnamon sugar for rim
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. Add apple brandy, eggnog, apple cider, and cinnamon syrup to a shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with a thin apple slice.

Why You’ll Love It

It tastes exactly like apple pie à la mode, except you can drink it through a straw. The apple cider keeps it from being too heavy, and the spices are just perfect. FYI, this one’s a crowd-pleaser—I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like it.

14. Bourbon Maple Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: For the bourbon lovers who want their eggnog with a little extra sophistication and a lot of extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 oz bourbon
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1 oz pure maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Maple candy or bacon for garnish (yes, bacon)
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add bourbon, eggnog, maple syrup, and bitters to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with maple candy or a piece of candied bacon if you’re feeling wild.

Why You’ll Love It

The maple syrup adds this earthy sweetness that complements the bourbon perfectly. And if you go with the bacon garnish (which I highly recommend), people will lose their minds. It’s unexpected, delicious, and makes you look like a cocktail genius.

15. Fireball Eggnog

Why it’s awesome: For when you want your eggnog to have a little kick. Okay, a big kick. This one means business.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Fireball whisky
• 4 oz eggnog
• 1 oz vanilla vodka
• Cinnamon stick
• Red Hot candies for rim
• Ice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Crush Red Hots candies and rim a glass with them.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add Fireball, vanilla vodka, and eggnog.
4. Stir well with a cinnamon stick.

Why You’ll Love It

The cinnamon heat from the Fireball cuts through the richness of the eggnog in this surprisingly balanced way. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, but that spicy kick keeps it interesting. I served these at a New Year’s Eve party, and they were gone by 10 PM :/

---

The Final Pour

Here’s the thing about eggnog cocktails—they’re way more versatile than people give them credit for. You can go classic with bourbon and rum, get tropical with coconut, add espresso for a pick-me-up, or even throw some Fireball in there if you’re feeling spicy. The possibilities are basically endless.

What I love most about these recipes is that they range from “I just got home from work and need a drink” simple to “I’m trying to impress people” fancy. You don’t need a fully stocked bar or professional bartending skills. Most of these come together in under five minutes, which is crucial during the holiday madness.

The best part? Eggnog season is short. You’ve got maybe two months to make these before eggnog disappears from store shelves and you’re left with regret and unfulfilled cocktail dreams. So grab some eggnog, pick your favorite spirit, and start mixing. Your taste buds (and your holiday party guests) will thank you.

And hey, if you still hate eggnog after trying these, at least you gave it a fair shot. But I’m betting you’ll find at least one or two that convert you. That Peppermint Bark Martini alone is worth the price of admission, just saying.