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)

Vegan Eggnog

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 6 mins
  • Total Time: 6 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Holidays

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.

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 does eggnog do to your body? ›

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

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.

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.

What is dairy free eggnog made of? ›

It really is the best dairy free eggnog. Made with almond milk and the classic eggs, sugar, and spices, you really can't go wrong. No trick or weird ingredients. Just dairy free and creamy with all those warm holiday spices that you live for!

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.

Why do I feel sick after drinking eggnog? ›

“Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

Does eggnog cause weight gain? ›

While it may be enjoyed as a festive treat, it is not typically associated with weight loss benefits. In fact, traditional egg nog is high in calories, sugar, and fat, and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.

Is eggnog good for the kidneys? ›

Eggnog can be considered a higher potassium and phosphorus food. Due to these nutrients, this drink food may be limited for those with kidney disease who are on a low potassium, low phosphorus diet.

Why do stores stop selling eggnog? ›

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.

What is the old name for eggnog? ›

"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy.

What's the best alcohol for eggnog? ›

Choose The Right Spirit

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.

What 3 drinks should diabetics avoid? ›

The 3 worst drinks
  • regular soda.
  • energy drinks that contain sugar.
  • fruit juices.

What cheese should a diabetic avoid? ›

Mozzarella, Emmental, and Wensleydale cheese are among the lowest sodium options. People with diabetes should avoid more salty cheeses, such as feta and halloumi.

Is egg nog inflammatory? ›

Eggnog- Store bought eggnog is made with heavy cream, alcohol and refined sugar ingredients – all linked to chronic inflammation. 1 cup of that stuff will provide a whopping 280-400 calories per cup.

What is eggnog made of without eggs? ›

Blend 2 cups milk, sugar, pudding mix, rum-flavored extract, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a blender on medium-high speed until smooth; pour into a pitcher. Stir remaining 3 cups milk into mixture. Refrigerate eggnog until thickened, at least 1 hour. Stir well before serving.

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.

What are the ingredients in farmland eggnog? ›

Milk, Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolks, Contains Less than 1% of Natural and Artificial Flavors, Spice, Salt, Annatto, Turmeric, Disodium Phosphate, Carrageenan.

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).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 5482

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.