I sampled seven brands of eggnog to find the best one for holiday sipping. All that's left is to add a splash of brandy or rum for a boozy upgrade!
After the stockings are hung by the chimney with care and the gifts are wrapped and the cookies are baked, it’s time for a drink! Store-bought eggnog is a convenient and tasty alternative to the time-consuming process of making a homemade eggnog. However, with so many options in the dairy case, it’s hard to decide which one is worth buying. We picked up seven options for a taste test:
- Califia Farms Holiday Nog
- Favorite Day Light Eggnog
- Kemps Golden Eggnog
- Oberweis Classic Eggnog
- Prairie Farms Eggnog
- Sassy Cow Eggnog
- Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
We considered texture, flavor and value to determine which one should be the go-to purchase throughout the season. And, of course, it had to be good enough to pair with your favorite rum brands or that bottle of brandy waiting on your bar cart.
7. Califia Farms Holiday Nog
Given dietary restrictions and preferences, there are dairy-free options on the market nowadays for those who are looking for a plant-based version of classic eggnog. This holiday nog from Califia is made with almond milk and without any eggs or dairy.
We found this nog to be quite thin and watery, lacking the texture we want from a traditional eggnog. However, the spice blend in this beverage was outstanding. We also appreciated that this version is made with cane sugar, rather than the corn syrup in many of the other brands sampled.
Price: $5.39 for a 48-ounce bottle
6. Prairie Farms Eggnog
We liked that this eggnog was made with real sugar, but the aftertaste was unusually salty and unappealing. The ingredients listed gelatin, likely used as a thickener. The texture, as a result, was fine, not too thick and not too thin, but nothing to make this eggnog stand out.
Price: $3.69 for a 32-ounce bottle
5. Kemps Golden Eggnog
We found this brand to be right down the middle in terms of flavor as well as price. It wasn’t particularly expensive, but it also wasn’t a standout in terms of flavor. This eggnog could certainly be used as an ingredient when making eggnog desserts, or just sipped on its own.
Price: $3.99 for a 32-ounce bottle
4. Favorite Day Light Eggnog
After a big meal, a glass of eggnog might feel heavy. The Favorite Day brand at Target offers a lighter take on the holiday sipper. Nonfat milk replaced the usual full-fat milk or cream you’d find in other brands. Because of this, it was slightly thinner than the other samples, but it still had a velvety texture and delightful nutmeg flavor. We also really liked the addition of an adorable, kid-friendly beverage recipe on the side of the container. If you are looking for a lighter alternative, this is the one for you!
Price: $3.49 for a 32-ounce bottle
3. Sassy Cow Eggnog
The eggnog from Sassy Cow was delightful across the board. Milk, cream, sugar and egg yolks were at the top of the ingredient list, with whey and cornstarch used as thickeners. The nutmeg flavor was prominent, and the texture was exactly what we hoped for in a glass of this festive beverage. This is a wonderful choice at a great price.
Price: $3.19 for a 32-ounce bottle
2. Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
This nonalcoholic take on a traditional eggnog from the folks at Southern Comfort is an outstanding option for the holiday season. Out of all the drinks we tried, we liked the spice blend here the best. The nutmeg flavor was front and center, just as it should be. The first ingredients are milk and cream, making the texture rich and smooth.
For those who want a more spirited version, there’s a recipe on the side of the container. For a crowd, all you will need is one quart of this outstanding eggnog and one cup of Southern Comfort whiskey liqueur, then garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick. We will certainly be picking up more throughout the season.
Price: $3.79 for a 32-ounce bottle
1. Oberweis Classic Eggnog
It was a close race between the number two and number one choices on this list; however, the classic Oberweis eggnog inched out in the top spot. This was the thickest and richest of all the eggnogs we tried. Our only note was that we wished there was a tad more spice. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg just before serving is an easy fix.
This eggnog seems quite pricey; however, this bottle is twice the size of the others on this list. When you’re serving a larger crowd, this size is worth it. Also, because it comes in a glass bottle, it can be returned to the store for a $1 rebate.
Price: $11.29 for a 64-ounce glass bottle
What to Mix with Eggnog
We sampled different kinds of nonalcoholic eggnogs, so you can feel good about sharing our top pick with the entire family. However, if you want to add a little Christmas spirit to your nog, feel free!
Rum is the traditional accompaniment for eggnog. It pairs so well with the flavors of vanilla and nutmeg. However, we’d be remiss not to suggest a splash of your favorite whiskey or brandy.
The side of the Southern Comfort eggnog carton recommends a 4:1 ratio of eggnog to whiskey. You can serve this drink cold or warm. Garnish with a sprinkling of nutmeg or even a cinnamon stick.
