Traditionally made with milk, cream, eggs, and spices, eggnog often includes the addition of rum or other liquor. Some people even combine whipped egg whites. This deliciously creamy Christmas and holiday punch is not vegan. Whether you prefer eggnog as an alcoholic beverage or not for celebrating the holidays, you can still make the best vegan eggnog with plant-based ingredients.
Creamy Vegan Eggnog Recipe
Some like an alcohol kick, while others prefer a non-boozy eggnog. You can still enjoy a creamy vegan eggnog however you like it. Luckily, the required ingredients are readily available, and the process is easy.
The best way to make eggnog is to use a blender to help mix the ingredients into a smooth drink. The next step is gently heating the ingredients until they reach a simmering point. You remove your pot from the heat and add the alcohol at the simmering point, giving it another quick blend. Serve hot or chilled.
Now that you know how easy it is to make a creamy vegan eggnog, here’s a recipe from Loving it Vegan that replaces eggs with cashews. The recipe requires coconut milk and coconut cream, but you can use any other plant-based milk because it won’t affect the eggnog flavor. You sweeten the milk with some sugar or maple syrup. Finally, bourbon is the recommended alcohol, but you can choose any other liquor or leave it out. Vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg provide the flavor.
If you want to recreate the yellow color of egg yolks, use some turmeric, but remember you need a pinch if you don’t want to stray from the natural color.
Dairy-Free Eggnog Options
You don’t need to add nuts to create the best eggnog since other ingredients can impart a rich and creamy effect.
You can use several non-dairy ingredients to ensure your eggnog tastes no different from the traditional one. Here’s a recipe for Secretly Vegan Eggnog Recipe (Dairy Free, Egg Free) from the Banana Diaries that you will want to try during any holiday.
The recipe creator recommends thicker dairy-free milk made with oat, soy, or coconut. Unsweetened almond milk from the refrigerator section won’t work well. Coconut condensed milk and some sugar work into a sweet magic, but you can regulate how sweet you want it. The coconut condensed milk with the arrowroot powder provides a natural thickness. It won’t work if you haven’t stored the arrowroot powder correctly or it has expired. Don’t fret if this is the case because you can use cornstarch.
Even though the recipe doesn’t include alcohol, you can add whichever type you prefer to the heated ingredients before cooling.
Finally, even though classic eggnog has a nutmeg flavor, you will appreciate the depths provided by adding a bit of cinnamon and vanilla. You can leave out the cinnamon, but the vanilla is a must.
Delicious Homemade Vegan Eggnog
The best vegan eggnog recipes include rich plant-based ingredients for a creamy eggnog. Some recipes call for cashew nuts, while others recommend thicker nut milk. You can follow either path.
However, imparting deliciousness to an eggnog often relies more on your use of spices. Most eggnog recipes call for cinnamon, but you can add many spices to your vegan eggnog for flavor depth. Some spices, such as nutmeg, are best when freshly ground, so use them as recommended for the best results.
Here’s a delicious holiday vegan eggnog recipe from Rainbow Plant Life that will liven up the crowd thanks to its perfect spicing that provides warmth. You combine soaked cashews with full-fat coconut milk and oat milk for creaminess. The recipe calls for cinnamon but also includes cardamom and freshly ground nutmeg. Whip it up in a blender and serve it cold, or heat the eggnog before serving.
Note: You can omit the cashes and replace them with the cream from a can of full-fat coconut milk. If you are on a low-fat diet, you can use lite coconut milk, but use less plant-based milk to ensure thicker vegan eggnog.
Vegan Eggnog for the Holidays
The use of “luxury” ingredients to invite prosperity into households, especially over the festive season, was a belief of the old. Today, most people continue the tradition, but as a means of bringing good cheer to homes.
The origins of the word eggnog appear to come from the Gaelic word for cup – noggin, which led to the early English word nog, a wooden mug used to serve alcohol.
However, vegans who love the flavor of eggnog can still recreate the holiday by omitting dairy and eggs. They create delicious liquid custard (whether adding alcohol or not) by substituting the classic ingredients with rich plant-based ingredients and never forgetting to add warming spices.
Whether you serve the best vegan eggnog warm, at room temperature, or cold depends on the time of year and location. For example, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere and want to serve it over the festive season, you may prefer it warm. People in the Southern Hemisphere may like it cold or served over ice.
Easy Vegan Eggnog Recipe
New cooks often worry about trying something fancy, but this eggnog recipe never fails. It uses a few ingredients, it’s nut-free, and you need five minutes to prepare the easiest and best vegan eggnog to impress your holiday dinner guests.
Easy Vegan Eggnog
If you are making it last minute and want to serve it cold, pour the vegan eggnog over ice. Otherwise, serve warm or refrigerate it until you are ready to serve.
Ingredients (for 2 servings)
- 3 Cups Thick Non-Dairy Milk (Regular or Vanilla Oat, Coconut, Cashew, Macadamia, or Almond will do)
- 3-4 tablespoons of your favorite sweetener
- ¼ t. ground nutmeg
- ¼ t. ground ginger
- 1 t. vanilla extract (omit if you are using vanilla-flavored nut milk)
- ½ t. cinnamon powder
- Ground cloves to taste (about ¼ t.)
- Vegan whipped cream
Instructions
- Place the non-dairy milk in a saucepan over low heat. You can omit this step and blend all the ingredients, but heating provides a deeper flavor.
- Add the other ingredients and stir, ensuring everything is combined. If using granulated sugar, it must dissolve.
- Serve hot or cold, topped with vegan whipped cream and a shake of cinnamon. Make it fancy by adding a cinnamon stick for stirring.
Irresistible Plant-Based Eggnog
Recreating irresistible plant-based eggnog requires adding features like meringue’s fluffiness. Here’s a recipe for the best vegan eggnog from The Wee Pearl that will make your festive celebration unforgettable.
You can make the oat milk using rolled oats, hemp seeds, or store-bought if you don’t have the time. Combine it with sugar and nutmeg over the stove until thickened. The secret to replacing egg-white meringue is to whip up aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas. Whip them up with some sugar until soft peaks form, and you can fold the vegan meringue into your oat milk custard. Add alcohol and serve!
Vegan Eggnog: A Festive Delight
Many people may think it’s impossible to recreate the aroma and creaminess of eggnog in a festive delight with vegan ingredients. However, they are wrong. You can buy shop-bought vegan eggnog, many of which are delicious, but it’s so easy to make it at home, filling it with the aromas of seasonal cheer.
Here’s another recipe created by Nicole K. Modic for KaleJunkie that proves you can make a modern version of eggnog for anyone vegan or lactose intolerant. Creating this Creamy Vegan Eggnog requires just 2 minutes and a blender. Of course, you can serve it at room temperature, but make it into ice cubes to add to smoothies, enjoying your festive cheer throughout the year. Adding the rum is optional for one of the best vegan eggnog recipes online.
Decadent Vegan Eggnog Variations
Use decadent variations to create the best vegan eggnog. These can include making your plant-based milk rather than buying it. As we saw in the recipe above, you can make oat and hemp milk with the right creaminess for your vegan eggnog. Other combinations can include blending cashews and almonds. You can also use coconut milk (canned) if you don’t have time to make it since it has the creamiest texture for a good eggnog.
When it comes to alcohol, you don’t have to use rum, bourbon, or brandy. You could use whiskey, vodka, or a sweeter liqueur like a dairy-free Kahlúa, Tia Maria, or Amaretto. Spices are a great way to spice up your eggnog. Even though nutmeg is the most traditional, you can combine it with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, etc. You can also use a bit of turmeric to recreate a vegan eggnog that looks like the traditional recipe.
You can traditionally drink your eggnog in a small cup, warm or cold, or use it as a base to create other beverages or make a vegan eggnog cake. If you want to make your eggnog ahead, it will keep in the fridge for about five days.
One of the greatest things about vegan eggnog is that you cannot get it wrong. Therefore, experiment until you create your best vegan eggnog taste variation, find how you prefer to serve it, and cheers to having the best holiday celebrations!
Crafting Your Signature Vegan Eggnog: Personalization Tips and Serving Suggestions
With the basics of vegan eggnog mastered and a variety of recipes at your disposal, it’s time to add your unique twist to this festive beverage. This section will guide you through personalizing your vegan eggnog and offer creative serving suggestions to make your holiday gatherings genuinely memorable.
Personalizing Your Vegan Eggnog
- Finding Your Sweet Spot: You can adjust the sweetness of your eggnog by experimenting with different sweeteners. Maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup can add unique flavors and depths to the drink.
- Nut or No Nut: If you’re nut-free, explore the richness that seeds, like sunflower or pumpkin, can impart when blended into milk. For nut lovers, play with combinations of almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans to find your perfect match.
- Spice it Up: While nutmeg and cinnamon are traditional, experiment with other warm spices like allspice, star anise, or a dash of cayenne for a surprising kick.
- Boozy or Not: Choose your favorite alcohol to mix in, or for a non-alcoholic version, consider a splash of rum extract to mimic the flavor without the spirits.
Serving Your Vegan Eggnog with Style
- Presentation is Key: Serve your eggnog in festive glassware garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a stick and perhaps star anise for a visually appealing touch.
- Temperature Matters: Whether you’re in a snowy wonderland or a sunny retreat, consider the climate when serving. Warm eggnog can be comforting on a cold night, while chilled eggnog is refreshing in warmer weather.
- Beyond the Cup: Vegan eggnog isn’t just for drinking! Use it as a creamy base for holiday smoothies, pour it over your morning oatmeal, or incorporate it into desserts like vegan eggnog custard or French toast.
- Make it a Party Feature: Set up an eggnog station at your holiday party, complete with different toppings and stir-ins like vegan whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or even edible glitter for a touch of magic.
By embracing these tips, you’ll enhance the flavors and textures of your vegan eggnog and create a delightful experience for your guests. So pour yourself a cup of holiday cheer and toast to a season filled with joy, compassion, and vegan-friendly indulgence!
