Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

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posted: 10/29/19 — updated: 12/04/21 by Deryn Macey Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·★★★★★5 from 7 reviews

This vegan eggnog can be made in minutes in a blender and is completely egg-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free.

Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (1)

This simple recipe can be made in minutes in a blender. The recipe is vegan, oil-free, naturally sweetened with dates and made without eggs or dairy.

This eggnog can be made with my homemade oat milk or almond milk or you can use pretty much any store-bought variety.

Table of Contents

Vegan Eggnog Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this dairy-free, egg-free eggnog:

  1. Plant-based milk. You can use any store-bought or homemade plant-based milk to create the base of the eggnog. I used homemade almond milk. Store-bought almond, oat, cashew and soy milk all work well so choose which ever you prefer. I like almond or cashew the best for this recipe.
  2. Coconut milk. You’ll need 1/2 cup of full-fat coconut milk for this recipe. The coconut milk helps to thicken the eggnog, especially after it chills in the fridge. The flavour works well with the cashews and dates too. You can also make this recipe without coconut milk, you’ll find instructions for that in the recipe card down below.
  3. Raw cashews. Cashews help to thicken the recipe and add creamy goodness. You’ll wan to use raw cashews, not roasted. They should have no other ingredients. Just plain, raw cashews.
  4. Dates. I used dates to naturally sweeten the recipe. You can use any kind of date but I recommend deglect noor, medjool or sayer.
  5. Nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. These two spices plus vanilla make up that delicious, traditional eggnog flavour.
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How to Make Vegan Eggnog

There’s not much to making vegan eggnog besides adding the ingredients to a blender and whipping them into creamy, egg-free nog but I wanted to go over a few tips, tricks and notes for recipe success!

  • Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (3)
  • Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (4)

Do I have to soak the cashews?

If you have a Vitamix and Blentec blender, you do not need to soak the cashews. If you do not have a high-speed blender, I would recommend soaking the cashews before using in the recipe.

For a quick soak, pour boiling water over them and let soak for 30 minutes. As you can see below, I soaked the dates and cashews at the same time, using this method.

Alternatively, you can soak them at room temperature for 4 hours up to overnight.

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What kind of dates to use?

It really doesn’t matter what kind of dates you use for this recipe since they get blended. However, I would recommend deglect noor, sayer or medjool dates for best results.

Quick Tip: If your dates are soft and moist, toss them right into the blender. If your dates are hard and dry, soak them with the cashews before blending.

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Coconut-Free Option

I’ve made this recipe a bunch of different ways so if for some reason you can’t do coconut milk, you do have the option to leave it out.

To make the recipe without coconut milk, omit the coconut milk, increase the raw cashews to 1/2 cup and reduce the plant-based milk to 2.5 cups. You can add a little more milk if desired. I still use 3 cups but it’s a bit thicker and sweeter with just 2.5 cups.

How to Enjoy Vegan Eggnog

Here are some delicious ways to use this recipe:

  1. Enjoy it on its own straight from the blender!
  2. Serve it over ice topped with extra nutmeg.
  3. Froth it or whisk it stovetop then pour it over coffee or espresso for an eggnog latte.
  4. Use it to make an eggnog smoothie.
  5. Freeze it in ice cube trays and serve with iced coffee.
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More Holiday Recipes

Getting ready for the holidays? Here are some more treats you’ll love:

  • Vegan Rum Balls
  • Vegan Cranberry Orange Cookies
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  • Easy Pumpkin Mousse
  • Vegan French Toast
  • Vegan Bread Pudding
  • Healthy Hot Chocolate

For more blended drinks, you might enjoy my golden milk or vegan bulletproof coffee recipes.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (8)

Vegan Eggnog

★★★★★5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 6 mins
  • Total Time: 6 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Holidays

Description

This delicious, creamy eggnog is the perfect way to enjoy your favourite holiday drink without the need for loads of sugar, eggs and dairy. Enjoy this recipe on its own, over ice or mixed with rum or bourbon.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups unsweetened almond or cashew milk
  • 1/2 up full-fat coconut milk, shake well before opening can
  • 1/4 cup (38 g) raw cashews (see notes regarding soaking)
  • 1/4 cup (65 g) tightly packed, pitted soft dates (see notes for alternative sweetener)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg (add up to 1 tsp, if desired)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, optional
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt, optional

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
  2. Serve right away either on its own, over ice, heated or with added bourbon or rum. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It will thicken up a little after sitting in the fridge. Give it a good shake before serving again.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Simple Vegan Blog.

If you don’t have a Vitamix or Blendtec, pour boiling water over the cashews and soak for 30 minutes. Drain before using in the recipe. In addition, if your dates or hard and dry, they can be soaked in the same bowl as the cashews. If needed, the cashews can also be soaked at room temperature for 4 hours up to overnight.

For a coconut-free version, omit the coconut milk, increase the cashews to 1/2 cup and start with 2.5 cups milk. Blend and add up to 3 cups milk to adjust the thickness to your prefernece.

I like the consistency when made with 3 cups of almond milk but for thicker eggnog, start with 2.5 cups, blend, test, then slowly add more to reach your desired consistency.

As an alternative to dates, use 3 tbsp maple syrup or agave and reduce the plant-based milk to 2 3/4 cups.

Keywords: egg-free, dairy-free, healthy eggnog, homemade, sugar-free

Blender Christmas Recipes Dessert Drinks Fall Gluten-Free Grain-Free Less than 30 Minutes Recipes Soy-Free Winter

posted by Deryn Macey on October 29, 2019

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14 comments on “Vegan Eggnog”

  1. Carrie January 2, 2024 @ 10:00 am Reply

    Excellent! Really loved the flavor. I missed eggnog but can no longer drink it and this was a great substitute.

  2. Paula December 24, 2023 @ 9:02 am Reply

    It’s simply perfect. Just the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Sweet but not too sweet. Thank you!

  3. Merci August 31, 2020 @ 6:07 pm Reply

    It was amazing!

    • Elken December 28, 2021 @ 9:51 am Reply

      Yummy!!
      I make my own cashew milk at home (1/4c cashews for every cup of water). I placed a scant cup of cashew pieces into the Vitamix, then filled the Vitamix with water to the 3 1/2 cup mark. Put in the rest of the ingredients (heavy on the dates, lol) and blended for a minute. Really yummy! Rather thick. Will experiment with the amounts of cashews and dates to get to desired consistency. Thank you for this recipe!

      • Deryn Macey December 28, 2021 @ 3:52 pm

        Great! So glad you enjoyed it.

  4. Diane December 24, 2019 @ 10:47 pm Reply

    This was fantastic! Had it on Christmas Eve over ice with bourbon. I think it’s better than the original. Soaked cashews/dates overnight in fridge just to be sure. Thank you.

    • Deryn December 25, 2019 @ 9:40 am Reply

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I had some store-bought the other day and I’d definitely agree this is so much better. Thanks for the review!

  5. D December 15, 2019 @ 3:58 pm Reply

    Think any other nut would work to sub for cashew?

    • Deryn December 15, 2019 @ 7:17 pm Reply

      You could omit the cashews and use a bit more coconut milk and less almond milk. Or maybe blanched almonds if you soak them first! Macadamia nuts might be nice too!

  6. Julia Michael December 3, 2019 @ 2:33 pm Reply

    I can’t wait to make this!!! 😀

    • Deryn December 3, 2019 @ 3:12 pm Reply

      Well I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you make it!

  7. Mira November 30, 2019 @ 3:56 pm Reply

    This was soooo much better than I anticipated. I’m not a full vegan, but I will certainly be making this as a substitute over the holidays. I didn’t even want to put it with coffee or anything, just on ice with a dash of nutmeg on top. Better than any store bought vegan eggnog, for sure!

  8. Ann November 5, 2019 @ 3:19 am Reply

    Perfect recipe. I like that it’s vegan, oil-free, and naturally sweetened. I’m planning to make it today. Fortunately, I have all the ingredients at home. Gonna make mine with coconut milk. Dying to give this a try. Thank you so much for suggesting delicious ways to use this recipe. I’ll probably make an eggnog smoothie and freeze this creamy vegan eggnog in ice cube trays.
    p.s. Your blog is wonderful and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into it. Keep the awesome recipes coming Deryn. Look forward to your new ideas.

    • Deryn November 5, 2019 @ 7:11 am Reply

      I hope you enjoy it!

Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (2024)

FAQs

What do you put in eggnog as far as alcohol? ›

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 is vegan eggnog made of? ›

Eggnog is a rich, seasonal beverage traditionally made with eggs, milk, sugar, nutmeg, and bourbon. Our version, however, is a little different. It's made with a blend of creamy dairy-free milks — we love cashew, almond, and coconut.

What is modern day eggnog made of? ›

Today, eggnog is usually made of some combination of eggs (either just the yolks or the yolks and the whipped egg whites), sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and sometimes booze. We're all familiar with the cartons of store-bought eggnog that grace supermarkets every December.

What gives egg nog its flavor? ›

Eggnog is traditionally made with eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. It's often spiked with brandy, rum or other liquor, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks.

What is alcoholic egg nog called? ›

In the American South, eggnog is made with bourbon. Eggnog is called "coquito" in Puerto Rico, where rum and fresh coconut juice or coconut milk are used in its preparation. Mexican eggnog, also known as "rompope", was developed in Santa Clara.

What alcohol is similar to eggnog? ›

Typically made around Christmastime, the Tom and Jerry is a classic co*cktail that looks and tastes a lot like eggnog. Its exact origins are unclear, but there's evidence to suggest that the Cognac and rum-spiked drink's roots date back to England in the 19th century.

Is almond milk egg nog good? ›

Delicious. I've been drinking Almond Breeze Almond Nog as a replacement to regular Egg Nog that has a lot of sugar during winter season for several years. It has a lot of flavor, nutty but still sweet/ I also love it is plant based and healthy.

What is dairy free eggnog made of? ›

Making dairy free egg nog is easy, and nobody will be able to tell the difference. All you need to do is swap milk and cream with almond milk and full fat coconut milk. Start by beating the pasture raised egg yolks with 1/3 cup of maple sugar until light and creamy. You can also use maple syrup and it will work fine.

Can you buy vegan eggnog? ›

If you're vegan (or dairy-free or egg-free), traditional eggnog is off-limits. Luckily, lots of non-dairy milk companies have released their own holiday nog blends and the nutrition numbers look a little more impressive than the classic drink. We wanted to see what they taste like so we put them to the test.

What is Starbucks eggnog made of? ›

Ingredients. EGGNOG [VARIES BY REGION - INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL STORE], MILK, BREWED ESPRESSO, NUTMEG.

What was George Washington's eggnog recipe? ›

“One-quart cream, one-quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one-pint brandy, ½ pint rye whiskey, ½ pint Jamaica rum, ¼ pint sherry – mix liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of 12 eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating.

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.

Is drinking eggnog good for you? ›

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

What's the best liquor to put in eggnog? ›

Brandy: Makes the Most Traditional Eggnog

For the most traditional holiday experience, reach for brandy (specifically, Cognac) to spike your 'nog. It's important to note, though, that both brandy and eggnog are quite sweet.

Why do I love eggnog so much? ›

“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.

How do you booze store bought eggnog? ›

Pour in 3/4 cup of eggnog and, if spiking it, one ounce of your alcohol of choice. For me, that is either dark rum or bourbon. Seal the shaker and shake it vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty. Strain the eggnog into a glass.

Can I use vodka instead of rum in eggnog? ›

Try vanilla vodka or a homemade infusion with some seasonal spice like cinnamon or ginger. Most eggnog recipes can work with any of the three common spirits.

How do you dilute alcohol in eggnog? ›

Because the eggnog thickens the longer you keep it stored in your refrigerator (and it's quite boozy), you can always dilute it by adding more milk just before serving.

Does alcohol make eggnog last longer? ›

Classically, eggnog is also aged with liquor for several weeks (or months!), which sounds insane until you realize that the booze acts as both preservative and sterilizer. Very few bacteria, including salmonella, can survive in the presence of alcohol, as has been proven in lab experiments at Rockefeller University.

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