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

Home » Holiday Recipes » Christmas Recipes » Vegan Eggnog

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.
Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (2)

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.

Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (5)

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.

Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (6)

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.
Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe - Running on Real Food (7)

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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Print

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

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

14 Comments / Leave a Comment »

« Previous Post32 Minute Skipping and Burpee EMOM

Next Post »Fried Brown Rice with Tofu Scramble

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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 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 can I substitute for heavy cream in eggnog? ›

You can make a similar heavy cream alternative using regular milk and butter. Whole milk has a fat percentage of around 3.5% and is preferable to lower-fat varieties, but you'll still want to use more melted butter than you would with half-and-half. For best results, try mixing ⅔ cup of whole milk with ⅓ cup butter.

How to thicken homemade eggnog? ›

To thicken the mixture, add a cornstarch slurry. Thoroughly combine 3 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cool water. Add this mixture at the end of cooking the egg yolks, sugar, and rum in the bowl over the simmering water bath. Whisk until thickened then proceed with chilling.

Is it safe to make homemade eggnog? ›

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

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.

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 a homemade substitute for heavy cream? ›

You can make a stand-in for the heavy cream called for in a recipe where it will be mixed with other ingredients. Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a large glass bowl and gradually whisk in 3/4 cup whole milk or half and half. You'll end up with 1 cup of a cream substitute.

What is a good substitute for eggnog? ›

If you are really looking to knock out some calories, consider purchasing soy nog or rice nog. These alternatives to regular eggnog contain less fat and nearly half the calories of regular store-bought eggnog. Vanilla chai tea is also a great holiday alternative for those with non-dairy diets.

Why is my homemade eggnog separating? ›

The mixture will have separated, and that is perfectly normal; give it a vigorous shake. Homesteading Hack: If you have a large enough bowl to hold the eggnog base, milk, heavy cream and nutmeg, do so and give a stir, then add in batches that will fit into your blender.

Why is my homemade eggnog foamy? ›

Homemade eggnog is thickened first with egg yolks and then given even more texture by folding in whipped egg whites at the end. Those egg whites transform what can be a fairly heavy, overly rich drink into something airier and frothier — though no less decadent.

What liquid is best to mix with eggnog? ›

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.

Can you drink too much eggnog? ›

Throw out the pumpkin spice lattes and pour yourself eggnog, the little black dress of drinks, perfect for adding to everything from breakfast coffees to spiked evening co*cktails. But one too many eggnogs can cause a less-than-jolly experience, especially in terms of digestive distress.

How long will homemade egg nog last? ›

A fresh batch of eggnog can mature for months, or even years.

What makes eggnog taste better? ›

Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or turn your eggnog into an iced eggnog latte by pouring a shot of espresso into the shaker. Either way, you'll feel the spirit of the holidays!

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 silk eggnog made of? ›

Ingredients: soymilk (filtered water, soybeans), cane sugar, less than 0.5% of: locust bean gum, sea salt, rum, natural flavor, turmeric and annatto (for color).

Does almond nog have eggs? ›

An all time favorite during the holidays, this wonderful egg-free nog is made with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin spice, vanilla extract and slightly sweetened with dates.

What is the difference between eggnog and holiday nog? ›

(What's the difference between eggnog and Holiday Nog? Eggnog must have a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight; Holiday Nog, which Spangler called a flavored milk product, has 2 percent butterfat and less than 1 percent egg yolk by weight.)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arline Emard IV

Last Updated:

Views: 6375

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arline Emard IV

Birthday: 1996-07-10

Address: 8912 Hintz Shore, West Louie, AZ 69363-0747

Phone: +13454700762376

Job: Administration Technician

Hobby: Paintball, Horseback riding, Cycling, Running, Macrame, Playing musical instruments, Soapmaking

Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.