The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (2024)

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Eggless eggnog has all of the spiced, creamy, rich and delicious goodness you crave every season, but is dairy-free and entirely plant-based. This easy vegan eggnog recipe is sure to make your holidays merry!

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (1)

Eggnog is one of those iconic drinks that people go crazy about every Winter. And for good reason! The rich, creamy, and heavily spiced beverage makes you feel all warm and cozy inside. Mostly because eggnog is made with nutmeg and cinnamon… ok, and also because it is often spiked with booze. (Totally optional!)

If you are a vegan and have been missing this holiday classic, I’ve got great news: Living without eggs doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some delicious ‘nog!

My easy vegan eggnog recipe makes a fabulous drink that rivals any traditional version. It includes dairy-free plant milk, soaked cashews, pitted dates for just the right bit of sweetness, and those yummy warming spices you love. Everything is blended up in under a minute and ready to serve cold. Or briefly heat up the eggnog for a toasty chill-fighting treat.

Make this no-cook recipe for all your holiday gatherings or anytime you are craving non-egg-nog. And may all of your holidays be bright and plant-based!

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (2)

Ingredients

  • Cashews
  • Soy milk
  • Water
  • Dates
  • Nutmeg
  • Cinnamon
  • Vanilla extract

You can also include rum or brandy for an alcoholic beverage if you’d like!

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (3)

Prepare the Ingredients

To make this recipe you first need to properly prep the cashews and dates. This is super easy to do in just a couple of steps:

  1. Soak the cashews. Place the raw cashew pieces in a high-heat container (like glass) and cover with water. Soak for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. This ensures that they will blend properly into a smooth, creamy consistency. Drain them well before you add to the blender.
  2. Pit the dates. Take a sharp knife and cut each date lengthwise in half. Use your hands or a small spoon to get out the pit. Sometimes they can have sharp little bits that hide, so take care to remove the entire pit.
The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (4)

How to Make Vegan Eggnog

Add the soaked and drained cashews, pitted dates, chilled plant milk, water, vanilla and spices to a blender.

Cover and blend until completely smooth. If a bit too thick, add a splash more of water or vegan milk and blend again.

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (5)

Taste and adjust spices.

Then pour evenly into four cups. Stir in one ounce of alcohol into each glass if you want a boozy eggnog drink.

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (6)

Serving Suggestions

Sprinkle each glass with fresh grated nutmeg and/or a dash of cinnamon.

Make it an even more delicious drink by adding dairy-free whipped cream on top!

Serve glasses of vegan eggnog with your favorite holiday dishes. They’re perfect to pair with dessert goodies like sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies, and peppermint bark. Or enjoy a Christmas morning treat with cinnamon rolls or a yummy tofu scramble.

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (7)

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • If you’re short on time you can quick soak the cashews. Place them in a glass container and cover with boiling water. Soak for 15-20 minutes. Then drain before blending.
  • I use soy milk to make this recipe. However, other plant-based beverages like almond milk and oat milk are also delicious options!
  • Enjoy slightly cold straight from the blender, or heat the eggnog on the stovetop for a warm drink. Add the blended beverage to a small saucepan and place on medium-low heat. Heat and stir until warm, but do not boil.
  • Serve plain without alcohol, or add one ounce of booze to each glass. Classic eggnog alcohol options include brandy, dark rum, cognac, or bourbon.
  • As-is the recipe is enough for 4 servings. Feel free to halve or double the ingredients to make as many drinks as needed.
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If you tried this vegan eggnog recipe, let me know in the comments below and share a photo using #mindfulavocado. I’d love to hear from you! Want to see more recipes? Let’s get social! CONNECT WITH ME on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest to see what I’m currently cooking up.

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The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (9)

Vegan Eggnog

Eggless eggnog has all of the spiced, creamy, rich and delicious goodness you crave every season, but is dairy-free and entirely plant-based. This easy vegan eggnog recipe is sure to make your holidays merry!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks, Vegan

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Keyword: dairy free eggnog, eggless eggnog, eggnog without eggs, vegan drinks, vegan holiday recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Cashew Soaking Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 cups

Calories: 156kcal

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews soaked
  • 2 cups soy milk can substitute with almond, oat, cashew, etc.
  • 1 cup water plus more if needed
  • 8 dates pitted
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tools:

Instructions

  • Soak cashews: Cashews can be soaked for 4 hours, up to overnight. Or for the quick method, pour boiling water over cashews and soak for 15-20 minutes. Drain and add to blender.

  • Add remaining ingredients to the blender (ensure you pitted your dates!) and blend until completely smooth. Add more water or soy milk to thin if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

  • Pour eggnog into glasses, or pair with your favorite booze! Top with some freshly grated nutmeg if desired. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • I use soy milk to make this recipe. However, other plant-based beverages like almond milk and oat milk are also delicious options!
  • Enjoy slightly cold straight from the blender, or heat the eggnog on the stovetop for a warm drink. Add the blended beverage to a small saucepan and place on medium-low heat. Heat and stir until warm, but do not boil.
  • Serve plain without alcohol, or add one ounce of booze to each glass. Classic eggnog alcohol options include brandy, dark rum, cognac, or bourbon.
  • As-is the recipe is enough for 4 servings. Feel free to halve or double the ingredients to make as many drinks as needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/2 cup) | Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 15.9g | Protein: 4.8g | Fat: 9.1g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 8.6g | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

Please note this post may contain affiliate links which does not impact the cost to you, but gives me a small commission. Thank you for your support!

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The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado (2024)

FAQs

The BEST Vegan Eggnog Recipe | mindful avocado? ›

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

How to make eggnog better? ›

5 Tips for Making the Best Eggnog
  1. Be Economical. Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. ...
  2. Yes, There Are Eggs in Eggnog. Unlike the nonalcoholic Egg Cream, Eggnog does contain eggs. ...
  3. Grate Your Own Spices. ...
  4. Quality Over Quantity.

What is the best thing to spike egg nog? ›

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

What makes eggnog so thick? ›

Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture. Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage.

How do you make eggnog in 1859? ›

From 'The Philosophy of Housekeeping' By Joseph Bardwell Lyman, 1859. Egg Nog. — Teaspoonful of sugar well beaten with an egg; add a gill of milk, and then, by degrees, one or two tablespoonfuls of good French brandy; spice with grated nutmeg.

What gives eggnog its unique flavor? ›

The distinctive spices that give eggnog its characteristic taste, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, are used to create eggnog-flavored foods and beverages.

How long will homemade eggnog last? ›

Non-alcoholic eggnog: Consume within 1 day. Eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup liquor: Refrigerate for several days. Eggnog with 1 1/2 cups liquor: Refrigerate for several weeks in a sealed glass container or mason jar, where it will continue aging and thicken up quite nicely.

What is the noggin eggnog? ›

The English name's etymology however remains a mystery. Some say “nog” comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck.

Is spiked eggnog better warm or cold? ›

Warming it up makes the heat-carrying components — like the spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) and alcohol — more pronounced over the creaminess. On the other hand, serving it chilled brings out more of the sweetness from ingredients like milk and cream, with a gentler tinge of alcohol and nutty spices.

What brandy is best for eggnog? ›

For the brandy eggnog, Korbel VS was the brand of choice, and it produced a perfectly balanced drink. This eggnog had a nice sweetness in every sip, which paired admirably with the creamy egg base.

Why is my eggnog gritty? ›

It's important to constantly stir the custard to keep the proteins in motion as they rise in temperature between 140-170ºF (60-77ºC) and begin to coagulate. This gentle coagulation will thicken the sauce, but if it isn't kept in motion the protein can take on a grainy texture, so keep stirring!

How can I thicken my homemade eggnog? ›

To make it thicker, use less milk. 1 cup of whole milk will make a smooth eggnog, but if you know that you like a thicker eggnog, stir in only ½ cup of milk. Once it chills and thickens a little in the fridge, add more milk to thin it out to your liking.

Why is eggnog so addictive? ›

“For a lot of people, it's the richness of the fat and flavor of the custard that gives eggnog its sensory appeal.” Some companies sell eggnog bases, which are pre-formulated mixtures of ingredients with specifically designed flavor qualities.

What did eggnog used to be called? ›

It is believed that eggnog began in Europe. As early as the 13th century, medieval monks in Britain were known to drink "posset," a warm ale punch with eggs and figs. Over time, this likely merged with the various milk and wine punches often served at social gatherings.

Why is eggnog only sold once a year? ›

Why don't dairy manufacturers make eggnog all year long? It doesn't sell. Demand for eggnog follows traditional consumption patterns that date back hundreds of years.

What country did eggnog originate from? ›

Origins. While no one knows who invented eggnog, most historians and foodies generally agree eggnog originated in medieval Britain. The upper classes were the only ones to have access to the milk, sherry, and eggs required to make the first version of eggnog, so it began as an exclusive beverage.

How do you fix eggnog that is too thick? ›

How can I fix it? This one is pretty easy and there's no fuss at all. If it's too thick, add more milk and heavy cream. If it's too thin, you can dissolve about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in cold milk, add it to the mixture over the stove, and stir until it thickens to your liking.

Can you taste alcohol in eggnog? ›

While it was very subtle, it was a bit more pronounced on the back end than the brandy. Overall, the eggnog was delicious and just sweet enough so you could taste that there was alcohol beyond the creamy egg mixture.

How to make eggnog serious eats? ›

For Basic Shaken Eggnog: In a co*cktail shaker, combine 2 eggs, 2 1/2 tablespoons (37g) sugar, 3/4 cup (180ml) milk, 1/2 cup (120ml) cream, and 1/2 cup (120ml) rum, brandy, or a mix of the two. Shake vigorously until hom*ogeneous and frothy. Strain into 3 to 4 goblets and top with freshly grated nutmeg.

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