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We tested 9 of the best eggnogs — and the drink from a famous superstore won
This organic 'nog was a hit with testers, who adored its creamy texture and delicious vanilla flavor.
Let's raise a glass to eggnog, shall we? The holiday drink as been around since the Middle Ages and these days, there are loads of options in the dairy case to choose from. You'll find house brands at Trader Joe's and Target, classics like Southern Comfort and Turkey Hill and even dairy-free versions. Which brand makes the best eggnog? We did a blind taste-test to find out.
Traditional eggnog is usually made from cream, milk, sugar, eggs and spices. Some are thick and others are thin. Some are strongly vanilla-flavored and others veer more towards cinnamon and nutmeg. We used all store-bought eggnogs in our test, and to be honest, our editors ranged from thrilled to less enthusiastic when asked if they'd like to participate. (It's a polarizing drink!)
We tried both dairy and non-dairy options to see which ones held up on their own — we'll leave the spiking to you (this works best with brandy, rum or whiskey). Whether you like your 'nog chilled over ice or warmed up in a mug with a cinnamon stick, our top pick will satisfy. Keep scrolling to discover the winner, plus our favorite mugs and punch bowls for serving the drink in style.
Best eggnogs of 2024
This creamy, custardy eggnog was the most flavorful of the bunch, so it came as no surprise that it won over our testers. Good & Gather is Target's house brand and generally features high-quality ingredients (this drink includes organic milk and cream), while still being affordable. One enthusiastic participant even compared it to “crème brûlée before it’s been set.”
- Thick and creamy
- Cinnamon- and vanilla-forward
- Made with organic ingredients
- Doesn't smell like much
It's no surprise that so many of our testers enjoyed this rich 'nog. It's a classic! Hood's version is thicker and more custard-like than most other eggnogs we tried and elicited comments such as, "It tastes like melted vanilla ice cream."
- Affordable
- Creamy texture
- Might be too sweet for some
How we tested eggnog
We gathered a group of staffers who both love and do not love eggnog for a festive afternoon activity at the Yahoo offices. We poured each of the nine 'nogs into basic paper cups labeled only with a letter to keep the tasting blind.
The testers sipped a small amount of each (eggnog can be very rich!) and filled out a rubric rating each drink from a scale of one to five on flavor, richness, texture, aroma and overall enjoyment. We also asked the testers to jot down any additional thoughts they had about the samples.
Other store-bought eggnogs we tested
Trader Joe's Egg Nog: This version was noticeably less sweet, and not as creamy as some others, which may appeal to those who prefer to pair their 'nog with holiday cookies. A few tasters also noted an odd aftertaste of bubble gum.
Turkey Hill Egg Nog: Several testers thought this creamy eggnog from a classic brand had been spiked! (It had not.) A few others remarked on its notes of cinnamon and nutmeg and that it tasted a bit like melted ice cream. Yum.
Farmland Egg Nog: Testers enjoyed this store-bought eggnog, with its pleasant flavors of cinnamon and vanilla, but it didn't garner the same praise as the other brands we tried.
Southern Comfort Traditional Egg Nog: One of the thickest, eggiest 'nogs we tasted with strong vanilla and cinnamon flavors, it's likely best enjoyed in very small portions. Of all the dairy options, this one rated the lowest with testers.
Good & Gather Oatmilk Holiday Nog: For anyone with dairy intolerance or aversion, we also tasted three non-dairy nogs, including this oat milk version from Target's house brand Good & Gather. It had a thinner consistency than those made with dairy and some testers said it's unfair to compare the non-dairy drinks with the traditional eggnogs — because the former really didn't hold up.
Califia Almond Milk Holiday Nog: Almond milk enthusiasts may use this in their coffee instead of plain almond milk come Christmastime, as it's a bit watery to enjoy on its own. Many testers mentioned its cinnamon flavor.
Chobani Oatmilk Oat Nog: This was the least successful of the non-dairy nogs we tasted, though it did have more creaminess to it than the Califia almond-milk and Good & Gather oat-milk options.
Editor-approved mugs
Come on, we know you have a 'nog hog in your life. Show 'em you care with this cute and quirky holiday mug. You'll both enjoy all the good will and cheer!
Got an outdoors-lover in your life who enjoys eggnog as much as you do? This is the mug for sipping a spiked eggnog by the fire, even if that's in your backyard.
More eggnog must-haves
Cinnamon sticks are a must when it comes to serving 'nog at a holiday gathering. They add flavor and flair!
A dusting of freshly grated nutmeg on top of your store-bought eggnog is a real game-changer. And you know Ina Garten would approve!
This handy little guy (it's 7 inches long) from the cooking tool pros at Oxo is just the right thing for grating fresh nutmeg over eggnog. You could also use it on fresh ginger or garlic for other holiday dishes.
Get in holiday mode with this timeless porcelain set, which includes an 11-inch punch bowl with a tree motif, a coordinating ladle and eight 8-ounce cups. It's perfect for entertaining during Christmastime.
This eight-piece set can be used any time of year, whether during the holidays or a summer soiree. It includes a punch bowl, six tumblers and a serving ladle for eggnog or any other festive drink.
Who could refuse a cup of eggnog when it comes out on this Christmas-themed tray? Its farmhouse style and gold lettering are timeless, so you'll be able to use this for years to come.
