The Best Eggnog You Can Buy, According to Our Taste Test
Updated: Apr. 18, 2023
Time to get into the Christmas spirit with a glass of the best eggnog. Our Test Kitchen sampled every brand they could find and named their number one pick.
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For some, it’s just not Christmastime without enjoying a glass or two of eggnog. That’s how our Test Kitchen feels! But for our pros, a glass of any ol’ eggnog won’t do; it has to be the best eggnog.
If you don’t have time to stir up a batch of homemade eggnog, the store-bought variety can still hit the spot—provided it’s the tastiest option out there. That’s why our crew raided our local supermarket and grabbed every brand they could find.
How Our Test Kitchen Sampled Eggnog
For this test, our team sampled four brands in a blind test. You may find other options available locally, but we snagged every option available in our Milwaukee grocery stores. Every brand we tried was nonalcoholic. With that in mind, every sip was judged in these three categories:
- Appearance:Â Eggnog can vary in color, but generally they range from creamy white to pale yellow. Artificially hued eggnogs won’t pass our test.
- Texture:Â A glass of eggnog should have a rich, velvety texture. It should feel more robust than a glass of milk but not unpleasantly thick.
- Flavor: Eggnog, whether homemade or store-bought, should taste of cream, vanilla and, of course, nutmeg—all in perfect balance.
In the end, only one made our nice list (AKA our Test Kitchen-Preferred list).
The Best Eggnog: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
In this test, Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog really made our team’s spirits bright. That’s because it checked off every wish on our list.
Before even taking a sip, our pros could tell this was eggnog to savor. “It has a lovely golden color with small flecks of grated nutmeg,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. While only a sprinkling is used, even in homemade recipes, this baking spice really makes this Christmastime drink taste like the holiday season.
But the look of this bev is just the beginning. With one sip, this eggnog had our team wanting to jingle bell rock. The texture is creamy and custard-like, according to the Test Kitchen’s Shannon Norris. This decadent texture makes Southern Comfort eggnog feel like a treat to savor.
Now, when it comes to flavor, our team universally agreed that this eggnog was the best. “Tastes nice and rich,” says Mark. “It’s full of vanilla flavor with a small hint of nutmeg.” This whisper of spice lingers as you sip and keeps you coming back for more as you relax by the fire.
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 whiskey as well since Southern Comfort was crowned the best eggnog in our taste test.
If you check out the side of the carton, this brand 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.
After enjoying a glass of this holiday tipple, use the rest of the carton to make these recipes with eggnog (like this amazing eggnog pie!).
Check Out More Test Kitchen-Preferred Picks
