This festive keto eggnog is sugar free, low carb, super rich, full of flavour AND incredibly easy to make! Customize with alcohol, if desired!
Originally published December 28, 2021, Updated 12/24/2023.
Making this homemade eggnog went a long way to normalizing the holidays for me, and preventing a lot of the FOMO that can happen when sticking to a keto diet during the Christmas season.
For me, I'd rather stick to it through this time of year, rather than have to make up for lost time & progress later.
Making this homemade keto eggnog with heavy cream and almond milk - along with a sugar substitute - is SO much easier than trying to re-lose any weight gained by falling off the wagon, you know?
I mean, it's super easy to make in general... not just in comparison to losing weight!
It's also thick, rich, luxurious and tastes like the real deal - even my non-keto husband loved it!
He has his own homemade eggnog recipe - NOT a keto-friendly eggnog by any stretch - so it’s nice that this creamy keto eggnog works as a holiday treat for both of us.
He’s not following a keto lifestyle, so I’m glad we can both enjoy a cup of eggnog, without either one really having to compromise.
Holiday traditions can be difficult to mess with, after all! It’s really convenient that this holiday drink passes for the real thing!
Anyway, my easy recipe for the best keto eggnog is at the end of this post, but I have a few things to go over first...
Low Carb Eggnog Ingredients
I designed this recipe to be a great balance of traditional flavour, while also being as low in carbs as possible.
These are the main ingredients that made that possible:
Egg Yolks
KetoSweetener
I originally uses a Monk fruit extract / Erythritol blend and my low-carb sweetener when making this recipe.
I’ve been playing around with keto sweeteners since originally designing this creamy drink recipe, and I’m now making it with Allulose.
It tastes more like sugar, doesn’t crystallize, and doesn’t have the cooling mouth sensation that erythritol tends to impart.
If you want to use allulose, just use ⅔ cup instead of ½ cup, as it’s not quite as sweet as the monkfruit blend.
Heavy cream
Heavy cream, heavy whipping cream, and whipping cream - all different ways of noting a very similar product.
You want to look for something about 30-40% milk fat - the fat helps give is that classic eggnog texture!
Almond milk
As with most of my keto recipes, I use unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk. For this recipe, feel free to use unsweetened vanilla flavoured if you prefer.
That said, you can use any low carb milk you like - coconut is another good option.
If you don’t mind a few extra carbs, you can use dairy milk.
Vanilla extract
Generally, I use my Homemade Vanilla Extract.
In general though, I recommend skipping the artificial extracts in favour of pure vanilla extract - whether you buy it or make it.
I just find the flavour to be SO much better.
Alternately, you can use the same amount of rum extract.
Keto Eggnog Variations
We like this easy keto eggnog recipe as-is, but there are several ways that you can customize it for your own tastes and needs. Here are a few ideas:
Keto Eggnog with Alcohol
To make your eggnog a little more festive, you can add ½ to 1 cup of spirits to the mix, AFTER it’s cooled down a little.
Brandy, dark rum, cognac, or a little bourbon are not only traditional choices for boozy eggnog fortification, they’re all 0 carb!
Just be sure to avoid flavoured versions of any of these spirits - they’re usually loaded with added sugar.
Traditional Method Egg Nog
The way I make this recipe - starting with basically a sugar-free eggnog custard - is the safest way to serve eggnog, as the eggs are fully cooked.
It gives a finished product similar to store-bought eggnog.
If you prefer a more traditional eggnog recipe - and aren’t serving it to people who are pregnant, immunocompromised, etc - this is how you alter my recipe to do it:
1. Separate the eggs, making sure to not get ANY yolk in the whites. Place the white in a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl, if using a hand mixer), whisk until soft peaks form.
2. Add a pinch of cream of tartar, then continue beating eggs to a fairly stiff peak stage, set aside.
3. Add the raw egg yolks and all the remaining ingredients to a blender, blitz until well combined and thick.
4. Gently fold the egg whites and the rest of the mix together, until the whites are completely incorporated.
Note: I HIGHLY recommend using alcohol in the blender with this one, as it acts as a bit of a preservative for the raw eggs. Alternatively - or in addition to alcohol - consider using pasteurized eggs..
Dairy Free Keto Eggnog
Need your eggnog to be dairy-free?
Simply swap out the 1 cup of heavy cream for ¾ cup of full-fat coconut milk or unsweetened coconut cream.
Use as much of the solid coconut fat as you can, for the thickest, creamiest eggnog.
Sugar-Free Eggnog Garnishes
Looking to up the presentation factor with your low-carb eggnog? Here are a few things you can try. Pick your favourite one, or mix and match them!
Spicy Sprinkle: Sprinkle a little nutmeg and/or cinnamon on top. Pumpkin pie spice also works.
Cinnamon Stick: Add a cinnamon stick to your glass, after pouring the eggnog.
Whipped Cream: Whip some heavy cream until it’s the texture you like, spoon a dollop on top of your eggnog.
Note: You can add a little powdered sugar substitute when whipping it, if you want a sweeter whipped cream.
Boozy Whipped Cream: Whip some heavy cream - with or without sweetener. Once it’s the right texture, add a splash of rum, bourbon, etc.
Rim It!: Before pouring your eggnog, wet the rim of your glass with a little water.
Twirl the wet rim in sugar substitute, a mix of sugar substitute and cinnamon, or finely crushed keto gingerbread cookie!
Keto Eggnog FAQ
Does egg nog have a lot of sugar?
Normally, eggnog has SO much sugar in it. This recipe has none, utilizing a sugar substitute instead.
How many net carbs are in egg nog?
The number of carbs in egg nog varies wildly based on the recipe used - or the brand of eggnog purchased.
Generally speaking, you can usually expect 20 grams or more of carbs per serving.
A half-cup serving of this sugar-free eggnog has 11 grams of carbs, with 10 of those coming from sugar alcohol - so 1 gram of net carbs.
How do you store sugar-free eggnog?
Ideally, you’ll cool it down in the fridge, uncovered. Once cooled, cover it and it will keep for about a week in the fridge.
The reason for cooling it uncovered is to prevent condensation from forming and dripping back down into the eggnog.
It’s not a big deal if it does, you’ll just want to re-whisk it before serving.
How to Make Keto Eggnog
The full recipe follows in the recipe card at the end of this post, here is the pictorial overview:
First step: combine egg yolks and sugar substitute in a medium mixing bowl, whisk until pale yellow and fluffy. Set aside.
Note: You can use an electric mixer if you want to, but I generally don’t bother.
Measure heavy cream, almond milk, nutmeg, and salt into a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, then turn the heat down to low or medium-low heat.
Slowly pour a little bit - half cup or so - of the hot mixture into the egg mixture, while whisking it. Once smooth, repeat 2 more times.
Turn heat back to up to medium, let the mixture boil- whisking constantly - until eggnog mixture starts to thicken, and/or reaches 165F on a cooking thermometer or candy thermometer.
(Note: It will thicken more as it cools, so don’t let it get too thick!)
Add vanilla extract (and alcohol, if you’re using it), whisk well to combine.
Transfer to an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Serving & Storage
Serve chilled eggnog with a sprinkle of extra nutmeg, or your choice of ganishes, listed above.
This homemade sugar-free eggnog will keep in a mason jar in the fridge for 2-3 days - or a week or so, if you add alcohol.
More Low Carb Holiday Recipes
Looking for some low carb or keto options to serve at the holidays? Here are some super tasty Christmas recipes and other holiday treats for you!
Bacon Wrapped Halloween Mummy Meatloaf
Candy Cane Cookies
Charcuterie Christmas Tree
Cream Cheese Mints
Easter Deviled Eggs
Funeral Potatoes
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Pancakes
Halloween Deviled Eggs
Holiday Desserts
Holiday Main Dishes
Holiday Side Dishes
Paska [Ukrainian Easter Bread]
Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs
Sauerkraut Buns
Stuffing
Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze
Witch Finger Cookies
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Sugar-Free Eggnog Recipe
Rich and Creamy Homemade Keto Eggnog
Ingredients
- 6 Large egg yolks
- ½ cup Monkfruit sweetener
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Almond milk
- 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- pinch Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Optional: ½-1 cup Rum, whisky, or brandy
Instructions
- Combine egg yolks and sugar substitute in a mixing bowl, whisk until pale yellow and fluffy. Set aside.
- Measure heavy cream, almond milk, nutmeg, and salt into a pot. Cook over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, then turn the heat down to low.
- Slowly pour a half cup or so of the hot mixture into the egg mixture, while whisking it. Once smooth, repeat 2 more times.
- Pour egg mixture into the pot of cream mixture, whisking well to combine.
- Turn heat back to medium, continue to cook - whisking constantly - until mixture starts to thicken, and/or reaches 165F. (Note: It will thicken more as it cools, so don’t let it get too thick!)
- Remove from heat, allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract (and alcohol, if you’re using it), whisk well to combine.
- Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
More Sugar Free Liqueur & Cocktail Recipes
Looking to stock a keto liquor cabinet? You don’t have to limit yourself to full-octane basic spirits - you CAN easily make liqueurs! Here are a few more recipes for you to try:
Keto Rumchata
Sugar-Free Creme de Menthe
Sugar-Free Peach Schnapps
Sugar-Free Sour Puss Liqueur
Keto Irish Cream
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