Is It Safe to Drink Eggnog? (2024)

Concerns about eggnog bubble up around the holidays, but co*cktails made with eggs and egg whites are safe to sip. Here's why.

Updated on August 27, 2021

Eggnog dates back to the early 1800s as a social drink that pops up at holiday parties, dinners, and festivals. The Christmasy drink comes in a variety of styles, from thick and custardy to icy and nearly spoonable. The popularity of eggnog is going nowhere, with brands releasing new varieties and even eggnog-flavored wines every season. Indeed, Americans buy about 60 million quarts of eggnog each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says. That's despite common concerns about eating or drinking raw eggs, which are linked to food poisoning. Yikes.

So is eggnog safe to drink?

In most cases, yes. Most classic eggnog recipes call for raw eggs. "Eggnog made with raw, unpasteurized eggs can contain Salmonella, a leading cause of food poisoning," Lee Cotton, RDN LPN, tells Allrecipes. She adds, while the bacteria can make anyone sick, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. Plus, don't forget, eggnog also typically contains alcohol as a key ingredient, making it a definite no-no for expecting women and anyone under the legal drinking age.

The good news is almost all of the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills the potentially dangerous bacteria. (Be sure to double-check that the carton or bottle says pasteurized.) If you're the type of hostest-with-the-mostest that wants to whip a bowl of homemade eggnog, use pasteurized liquid eggs or pasteurized liquid egg whites for egg white co*cktails, sold in a carton at your local grocery store, Cotton says.

Does the alcohol in drinks kill bacteria?

No. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, "eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill Salmonella that may be present. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill it completely."

However, if you use pasteurized eggs, no further cooking is necessary. "If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free of Salmonella bacteria," the extension office said on their website.

Bottom line: Eggnog and egg white co*cktails made with pasteurized eggs are safest, but alcohol can prevent the growth of bad bacteria like Salmonella. So you can safely sip your eggnog this holiday season, knowing the only reason you might regret it the next day is because you had one glass too many.

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Is It Safe to Drink Eggnog? (2024)

FAQs

Can you drink too much egg nog? ›

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.

Can you just drink egg nog? ›

Bottom line: Eggnog and egg white co*cktails made with pasteurized eggs are safest, but alcohol can prevent the growth of bad bacteria like Salmonella. So you can safely sip your eggnog this holiday season, knowing the only reason you might regret it the next day is because you had one glass too many.

Is it okay to drink eggnog by itself? ›

Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.

The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.

Can kids drink eggnog? ›

When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.

How unhealthy is egg nog? ›

Eggnog is loaded with saturated fat and sugar. It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs.

Is eggnog bad for your stomach? ›

Eggnog high fat content makes it an important heartburn trigger beverage especially when alcohol is added. Houston reflux specialists recommend consuming Eggnog in moderation to enjoy a heartburn free holiday.

Is store-bought eggnog safe? ›

Buy commercially prepared eggnog in the dairy section of your grocery store. Most are safe, but make sure it has been made with pasteurized milk and eggs. This will reduce any food safety concerns. Just keep it refrigerated.

Should you drink eggnog hot or cold? ›

Is Eggnog Served Hot or Cold? Eggnog is traditionally served as a punch at parties, and as such, is usually chilled or room temperature. However, warmed eggnog is also a delightful treat. In this case, we say "to each your own!" Enjoy your eggnog however you like it.

What alcohol is in eggnog? ›

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

Why is eggnog not sold year round? ›

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

How long does eggnog last once opened? ›

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

Is eggnog ok for diabetics? ›

Beverages such as soda, punch and eggnog contain high amounts of sugar, which will also raise your blood glucose. To ensure you're staying hydrated while also keeping blood sugar levels in mind, choose water, herbal tea, coffee or diet soft drinks.

Can you drink eggnog straight? ›

For the uninitiated, there's no prizes for guessing it contains eggs, separated and used at different points of the making; whisked together with milk, cream, sugar and spiced with nutmeg and vanilla. It can be served straight but as a punch you're probably going to spike it with rum, whisky, or brandy.

Is aging eggnog safe? ›

That's cleaner than eggnog bought in sealed cartons from the supermarket. Short answer: Yes, it's safe. At least, it's as safe as anything with a 20% booze content can be.

What is eggnog made of? ›

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.

Why is eggnog so addictive? ›

Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.

Is egg nog inflammatory? ›

"Eggnog commonly contains nutmeg, which contains anti-inflammatory antioxidants," Hultin says. Antioxidants help protect your cells against oxidative stress, a process that damages and inflames them.

What can I do with too much egg nog? ›

Extend the Holiday Cheer

Seasonal eggnog is far more versatile than you might think. When you've got some left over from the holiday party, use it to make rich, nutmeg-scented mashed potatoes, oatmeal, biscuits and more.

How much alcohol goes in eggnog? ›

Add The Right Amount. Here's your golden ratio for pop-up holiday cheer: Combine 1 part of your selected spirit to 5 parts prepared eggnog. Want us to make it even easier on you? If you buy a 1-quart container of eggnog, you should use 6.5 ounces of liquor, total.

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