Spread the love

You are going to LOVE this!

This Cranberry Eggnog is a Christmas drink that tastes like Christmas in a cup.

It has the classic eggnog flavor, but with a burst of tart, fruity cranberry that makes it so special. It’s creamy, sweet, and warm.

I made this for my family last year, and I can tell you that this recipe is magic.

The kids loved it (don’t worry, we’re not serving alcohol here!), and the adults kept going back for more.

It’s the perfect drink for curling up by the fire, watching holiday movies all day, or even as the main event at your next Christmas party.

Let’s make some happiness, shall we?

Things You Will Need

A medium-sized saucepan
Whisk
Strainer with fine mesh
A medium-sized mixing bowl
Blender (not required, but great for a very smooth texture)
Spoons and cups for measuring
Clear mugs for serving (because how it looks matters!)

What You’ll Need

For the eggnog:

Four big egg yolks
½ cup of sugar that has been granulated
Two cups of whole milk
One cup of heavy cream
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg (plus more for decoration)
1 tsp of vanilla extract

For the syrup made from cranberries:

1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup of sugar in granules
1/2 cup of water

Extras that you can add:

Cranberries with sugar (for a festive touch!)
Sprigs of fresh rosemary

How to Prepare Cranberry Eggnog

1. Make the syrup for the cranberries
  Put the cranberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens (about 10 minutes). Put the syrup through a fine mesh strainer and let it cool down.

Mix the sugar and egg yolks together.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until the mixture is pale and creamy.
Warm up the cream and milk
Put the milk, cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Put it on medium heat until it starts to steam (but not boil).
Make the eggs less hot
To keep the eggs from scrambling, slowly whisk in the hot milk mixture a little at a time. Put it back in the saucepan after mixing it.
Make the eggnog thicker
Over medium heat, stir the mixture constantly until it thickens a little and coats the back of a spoon. Don’t let it boil! Take it off the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
Put in the cranberry syrup.
Add a few spoonfuls of cranberry syrup to taste. Put the eggnog in the fridge for at least two hours.
Serve and Decorate
Pour the cold eggnog into clear mugs, add nutmeg, and top with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

How to Prepare Ahead of Time

You can make the eggnog up to three days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
You can also keep the cranberry syrup for up to a week, so it’s ready to use!

How to Store Leftovers

In the fridge, you can keep leftover eggnog for up to three days in a sealed container.
You can keep cranberry syrup in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Helpful Hints

Slowly Temper the Eggs: When you mix hot milk and egg yolks, do it slowly so the eggs don’t scramble. Keep whisking!
Don’t forget the cranberry syrup; it balances out the rich eggnog perfectly. The extra step is worth it!
Chill Completely: If you can, plan ahead because eggnog tastes better after a few hours in the fridge.
Make it Fancy: Add sugared cranberries and rosemary to the drink. It’s easy, but it makes it look so fancy.
Tip for Kids: Let them help sprinkle nutmeg or put cranberries on top. It will make them feel like they’re part of the magic.

Changes and Substitutions

For a dairy-free version, you can use almond milk or oat milk instead of whole milk. Instead of heavy cream, use coconut cream.
Sweeteners: Use maple syrup or honey instead of granulated sugar to change the flavor.
For adults only: Add a splash of rum or bourbon for a holiday drink that makes you feel good.
Add a little bit of ground cloves or cardamom to make it warmer.

Let’s finish this up!

This is how to make creamy, festive, and oh-so-delicious cranberry eggnog.

I hope this recipe makes your holiday season a little happier, whether you share it with family and friends or drink it alone while wrapping gifts.

Let me know in the comments if you try it!