Drinking raw eggs might not appeal to everyone’s holiday tradition, but eggnog continues to hold its ground despite the skepticism.
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And what exactly is in this festive drink?
Well for starters it contains – you guessed it – eggs. Most classic recipes call for raw eggs, sugar, milk, heavy cream, alcohol and spices like nutmeg, cloves or cinnamon.
But we can’t help but think of the universal warning of moms everywhere to not eat raw cookie dough. So how is consuming eggnog any different?
Dietitian Maxine Smith, RD, LD, gives us the low down on this classic holiday beverage.
Raw eggs safety guidelines
According to the FDA, to reduce your risk of contracting a food-borne illness from consuming raw eggs – you should use pasteurized eggs in the shell.
“The primary concern with consuming raw eggs is salmonella, but the risk of actually contracting it is pretty small,” explains Smith. “Still, buying and using pasteurized eggs is your safest and easiest bet.”
Eggs that have already been pasteurized have gone through a heating process to kill the bacteria that cause salmonella. You can pasteurize your own eggs at home, but it can be a little tricky.
If you overcook the eggs you could end up hard boiling them. And if you undercook the eggs, you risk not killing all the bacteria. The FDA says that pasteurized eggs need to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter to be considered safe.
Most egg products like liquid egg whites and commercial eggnogs are already pasteurized, so no need to worry there.
“The more handling that is involved in a product the more prone it is to exposure and contamination,” says Smith. “That’s why it’s recommended to use pasteurized eggs in the shell instead of a pasteurized egg product when a recipe calls for raw eggs.”
There are also recipes that instruct you to heat up the eggnog after all of the ingredients are combined. So cooking it at the end would kill the bacteria and risk.
Homemade eggnog basics
How far in advance can you make eggnog?
Homemade, chilled eggnog can last two to four days in the fridge. So toss it after the fourth day. Also don’t let it sit out for longer than two hours.
Will the alcohol in eggnog kill the bacteria if you don’t use pasteurized eggs?
Nope. Smith says that there have been small studies that show alcohol might kill some of the bacteria, but don’t count on the alcohol to provide a safe product.
Is there a way to enjoy eggnog without sacrificing your diet?
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. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.)
Try substituting heavy cream and full fat dairy products with low fat dairy products or a milk alternative like almond or oat milk.
If you want to cut back on the sugar, substitute or replace part of the sugar that is called for with honey (although still a form of sugar, it can provide good flavor from a smaller amount), stevia or monk fruit.
And you can always skip on the alcohol or limit yourself to one small glass.
FAQs
You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says. Almost all the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills bacteria, but he says to be sure to check that the carton or bottle is clearly labeled as such. If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton.
Why should you be careful with that eggnog? ›
Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe.
Is it OK 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.
What are the side effects of eggnog? ›
“That's because all of these can compound into a difficult-to-digest situation, requiring digestive enzymes like lactase, sucrase and alcohol dehydrogenase to kick into high gear all at the same time. This could lead to gas, diarrhea, cramping or abdominal pain within 30 minutes to a few hours after drinking.”
Is store-bought eggnog safe for kids? ›
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.
What are the chances of getting Salmonella from eggnog? ›
“The most recent estimates indicate that about three out of every 10,000 eggs is positive for salmonella,” Schaffner said. “This means the risk from any individual egg is low, but of course the more eggs you combine, the higher the risk.” Pasteurization is one of the keys to avoiding salmonella poisoning from eggnog.
How long is eggnog safe to drink? ›
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.
Does the alcohol cook the eggs in eggnog? ›
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.
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.
Why do people drink eggnog? ›
"Milk, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health." Those who could afford milk and eggs and costly spirits mixed the eggnog with brandy, Madeira wine or sherry to make a drink similar to modern alcoholic eggnog.
The most common ingredients and foods that can cause diarrhea were identified in an article by Harvard Health Publishing. Drumroll, please: eggnog's main components — sugar, dairy and alcohol — are on the list. Rich, delicious foods like cream contain more fat and are slower to digest.
Is eggnog anti inflammatory? ›
The spices can be anti-inflammatory – Eggnog commonly contains nutmeg, which has anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Downing a glass of it isn't the same as popping an Advil, but it's something.
Why does eggnog make me sleepy? ›
Alcohol: Wine, champagne or eggnog
Alcohol has a sedative effect on the body. This can be a contributing factor to your sleepiness.
Is eggnog good 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 good for you? ›
"Store-bought eggnog tends to have lower calories and fat because it is made with skim or low-fat milk, but it does have extra artificial ingredients like artificial coloring, high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
Can you drink eggnog by itself? ›
Eggnog is usually served cold, but you may choose to heat it, especially if you're coming in from making snowmen or ice skating. And you can spike eggnog with a splash of brandy, rum or your spirit of choice, but it's also delicious simply spiked with vanilla or cinnamon.
How is eggnog safe to eat? ›
You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says. Almost all the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills bacteria, but he says to be sure to check that the carton or bottle is clearly labeled as such. If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton.
How common is Salmonella in eggs? ›
Salmonella doesn't make the hen sick. Eggs are washed and sanitized at the processing plant. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in every 20,000 eggs are contaminated with Salmonella. Persons infected with Salmonella may experience diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Why can you eat mayo but not raw eggs? ›
The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend eating raw shell eggs that are not cooked or undercooked due to the possibility that Salmonella bacteria may be present. However, homemade mayonnaise can be safely made if raw, in-shell pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products are used.
What happens when you age eggnog? ›
While fresh eggnog is simple, smooth, and, well, fresh-tasting, aged eggnog is much more aggressive. The booze comes out stronger, and there are medicinal, almost minty flavors that people will pick up on—almost as if you've spiked your eggnog with an herbal liqueur, like Fernet-Branca.
