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When my favorite coffee shop dropped their eggnog latte from the holiday menu, I took matters into my own hands. This homemade Eggnog Latte recipe is my cozy, creamy solution, espresso (or strong coffee), real eggnog, warm spices, and a little froth on top.
I make this all December because it’s quick, easy, and feels like Christmas in a mug. It’s the perfect Christmas coffee drink for holiday brunch, Christmas morning breakfast, or an afternoon treat while you’re wrapping gifts and watching movies.
You’ll fall In Love With My Eggnog Latte
- It’s a true “coffee shop at home” moment. You get that rich espresso/coffee flavor plus the thick, creamy eggnog base and a cloud of foam on top.
- No fancy equipment required. If you have strong coffee and a saucepan, you can make this eggnog latte. A frother is handy, but not mandatory.
- It uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Store-bought eggnog, your favorite milk, a handful of warm spices, and coffee. That’s it.
- Completely customizable. Swap in your favorite dairy-free eggnog, dial the sweetness up or down, make it extra strong, or spike it for a grown-up treat.
- Perfect for holiday entertaining. You can whip up a single mug for yourself or scale the recipe to fill a pitcher and play barista at brunch.
- It doubles as dessert. With whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, this Eggnog Latte recipe honestly feels like you’re sipping a milkshake in cozy, hot latte form.
Ingredients For Eggnog Latte
Just a few of my favorite things for my Eggnog Latte, you can skip anything you don’t have on hand or refer to my ingredient substitutions right below.
- Strong brewed coffee or espresso – This is the backbone of the latte, so make it a little stronger than your everyday cup so it doesn’t get lost in the eggnog.
- Eggnog – The star of this Eggnog Latte recipe. Use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade eggnog for that classic holiday flavor and creamy texture.
- Milk – Helps thin the eggnog just enough and makes it easier to steam or froth. Whole milk is the creamiest, but any milk will work. You can skip it and use all Eggnog if you prefer.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a cozy bakery-style flavor and makes everything taste just a little more “homemade.”
- Ground nutmeg – The classic eggnog spice that gives the latte that unmistakable Christmas flavor.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and a hint of spice that balances the sweetness of the eggnog.
- Pinch of salt – Just a tiny bit keeps the latte from tasting overly sweet and really wakes up all the flavors.
- Sugar, maple syrup, or simple syrup (optional) – Only if you want it sweeter. Most eggnogs are already pretty sugary, so treat this as a “taste and see” add-on.
- Whipped cream (optional) – Makes it feel like a holiday dessert in a mug and gives you a soft, sweet topping.
- Extra nutmeg, cinnamon, or a cinnamon stick (optional) – For garnishing and that coffee-shop look (and smell!).
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Coffee or Espresso – Use espresso for the strongest flavor, or swap in very strong brewed coffee, French press, moka pot coffee, or warmed cold brew concentrate.
- Dairy and Non-Dairy options – Use whole milk for the creamiest latte, or 2% if that’s what you keep on hand. For dairy-free, use oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk plus a dairy-free “nog.”
- Eggnog – Any eggnog you like drinking will work, classic, light, or homemade eggnog. If it’s very thick, you can use a little extra milk to thin it out.
- Sweetener – Most eggnog is sweet enough, so taste first. If you want more, add a little sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, or your favorite flavored coffee syrup.
- Spices – Nutmeg is key for that classic eggnog flavor. You can add a pinch of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or grate fresh nutmeg on top for extra aroma.
- Boozy Twist (Optional) – For an adult version, stir a small splash of rum, bourbon, or brandy into the mug before adding the hot latte.
How to Make My Eggnog Latte
The recipe card below has exact measurements, but here’s the quick game plan and what to watch for.
- Start by brewing your coffee or pulling your espresso. Make it a little stronger than usual so it stands up to the sweetness and richness of the eggnog.
- In a small saucepan, warm the eggnog and milk over medium-low heat. You want it hot and steamy with tiny bubbles around the edges, not boiling. Boiling can make it taste “eggy” or turn grainy, so keep the heat gentle.
- Whisk in the vanilla, spices, and a tiny pinch of salt as it heats. The salt helps balance all that sweetness and brings the flavors forward. Taste the mixture once it’s hot before adding any sweetener, most eggnogs don’t need extra sugar at all.
- When the mixture is hot, froth it if you can. Use a handheld frother, or just whisk vigorously for 20–30 seconds to get a little foam going.
- Pour your hot coffee into a mug, then add the eggnog mixture, holding back some of the foam with a spoon. Spoon the foam on top, finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon, and you’re ready to curl up with the coziest Christmas coffee.
I love this milk frother for coffee-house beverages at home. But, I also love using it to whip up vinaigrettes, simple sauces and light, airy dressings so I don’t have to haul out the blender. An inexpensive, invaluable asset to your kitchen.
How to Store Leftovers
Honestly, this Eggnog Latte recipe is best made and enjoyed right away – the foam and whipped cream are definitely “in the moment” kind of things. That said, you do have a couple of options:
- Leftover eggnog mixture: If you warm more eggnog and milk than you need, let it cool, then store it in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave and froth again before adding to fresh coffee.
- Already-mixed latte: If you absolutely have to walk away from your mug (life happens), you can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, but the texture won’t be quite the same and you’ll likely lose most of the foam. Add fresh whipped cream on top to bring it back to life a bit.
Kellie’s Tips For the Best Eggnog Latte
- Don’t skip the pinch of salt. It sounds tiny but it makes the flavors pop and balances the sweetness.
- Keep the heat gentle. Low and slow is the way to keep your eggnog smooth and velvety, not curdled.
- Taste before you sweeten. Eggnog is usually already sweet enough. Start with none, then add a little at a time if you really need it.
- Use a big enough mug. Between the coffee, eggnog, and foam, you’ll want a generous latte mug so you don’t lose half of it over the sides.
- Freshly grated nutmeg is worth it. If you can get whole nutmeg and a microplane, it makes the most heavenly aroma when you grate it over the top.
- Make it a “house drink.” Once you dial this in the way you like it – strong, sweet, extra foamy, boozy or not – write your personal tweaks on a sticky note and keep it with your holiday recipes. Future you will be very happy.
What to Serve with Eggnog Latte
This Eggnog Latte is such a fun addition to any holiday breakfast or brunch menu. Here are some ideas to serve alongside it:
- Cinnamon rolls or sticky buns
- French toast casserole or overnight baked French toast
- Buttery croissants or Cranberry Orange scones
- Gingerbread coffee cake or cinnamon swirl bread
- Christmas cookies (always) – sugar cookies, shortbread, or snickerdoodles
- A simple fruit salad or citrus platter to balance all the cozy richness
More Easy Christmas Drink Recipes
If you love this Eggnog Latte recipe and want more Christmas coffee drinks (and cozy sippers) in your life, try pairing it with:
- Dirty Chai Latte
- Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini
- Starbucks Copycat Crème Brûlée Latte
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Polar Express Hot Chocolate
For more easy holiday drink ideas, follow us on Facebook.
Eggnog Latte Recipe
This easy Eggnog Latte recipe combines strong coffee or espresso with creamy eggnog, frothy milk, and warm spices for the coziest Christmas coffee drink. Perfect for holiday breakfast, brunch, or sipping by the tree on Christmas morning.
Equipment
- coffee maker or espresso machine
- milk frother optional
- saucepan
- whisk
- mug
Ingredients
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee, or 1–2 shots espresso (2–3 oz)
- ½ cup eggnog, store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup milk, whole milk recommended, or any milk, dairy alternative you like
- 1 teaspoon sugar, maple syrup, or simple syrup (optional, to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- Small pinch salt, just a few grains – boosts flavor
For Serving (optional)
- Whipped cream
- Extra ground nutmeg and/or cinnamon
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Brew ½ cup strong coffee or pull 1–2 shots of espresso. Pour into your favorite mug.
- In a small saucepan, combine the eggnog and milk.
- Add sugar or sweetener if using, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and the tiny pinch of salt.
- Warm over medium-low heat, whisking often, until steaming and just starting to bubble around the edges. Don’t let it boil hard, especially if using real eggnog, gentle heat keeps it smooth.
- Use a milk frother, immersion blender, or whisk vigorously off the heat until it’s foamy.
- (If you have an espresso machine, you can steam the eggnog – milk mixture like regular milk.)
- Pour the hot coffee/espresso into your mug if it’s not already there.
- Slowly pour the hot eggnog mixture over the coffee, holding back the foam with a spoon. Then, spoon the foam on top.
- Top with whipped cream, if using.
- Dust with a little extra nutmeg and/or cinnamon.
- Add a cinnamon stick for stirring.
Notes
- You can use either espresso or very strong brewed coffee in this latte.
- Taste your eggnog before adding sweetener; most store-bought eggnog is already quite sweet.
- Any milk works, but whole milk or oat milk will give you the creamiest texture.
- To make it dairy-free, use dairy-free eggnog and your favorite non-dairy milk.
- No frother? Shake the hot eggnog mixture in a heat-safe jar (carefully) or whisk vigorously until foamy.
- For a boozy version, add a splash of rum, bourbon, or brandy to the mug before pouring in the latte.
- This recipe is easy to double or triple if you’re making eggnog lattes for a holiday brunch crowd.
Nutrition
Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 117mg, Potassium: 452mg, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 459IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 318mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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