We Tried 8 Popular Eggnogs — And the “Delicious” Winner Is What We’re Drinking All December (Better Than Homemade!)

An emulsification of heavy cream, milk, sugar, eggs, and spices are responsible for one of the season’s most iconic (and historical) drinks: eggnog. This ultra-creamy holiday drink reappears each December like clockwork and can be enjoyed as is, or given an extra boost of flavor with a shot of brandy, rum, or whisky. 

While homemade eggnog is superb (and easier than you think to make), if you want to skip the prepwork, you’re in luck because these days grocery shelves are packed to the brim with various brands, including dairy-free options! To help you decipher which are worth including at your holiday spread this year, we sipped our way through eight popular store-bought brands in our most epic eggnog taste test yet.  

Best Eggnog: Organic Valley Eggnog
Runner-Up: Southern Comfort Eggnog
Best Diary-Free Eggnog: Elmhurst Oat Nog
Runner-Up: Califia Farms Holiday Nog

We sourced a variety of name- and store-brand eggnog brands based on availability and price. The brands ranged in price from $4 all the way up to $9 (though most hovered around $5 at the time of the test) and varied in size.

After nearly 30 minutes of sipping, we found standout options that we would say are even better than a cup of the homemade stuff. In fact, we’re confident they’re the best thing to get you in the holiday spirit this season. 

In this taste test for the ideal eggnog, we were looking for three things: creaminess, drinkability (not too sweet), and a great amount of spice. Organic Valley Eggnog ticked every single one of those boxes (and then some), which made it our overall pick. In fact, the majority of my family (including the eggnog-skeptics) loved this smooth drink. 

“Oh! This one is really delicious,” said Dana (my mom). “I can taste the nutmeg. I might even finish this glass!” My uncle, Shane, noted that this one would be good with a splash of rum — a sentiment echoed by the rest of the group. My dad, Sichon, even made a note on his sheet to ask me what brand this was so we could keep it in the fridge throughout the month. 

Although, it’s important to note that this brand earned such well-rounded, high remarks because it was thick, but not the kind of chunky-custardy thick that some eggnogs are known (and loved for). But that could be because it’s made with reduced fat (fat-free milk) and is the only one in the list as such.

What’s So Great

• Great with alcohol
• Nice balance of spices
• Delicious

Good to Know

• On the thinner side

Buy: Organic Valley Eggnog, $7.29 for 32 ounces at Instacart

We weren’t totally surprised to see Southern Comfort Eggnog snag a top spot on our list. It’s a staple in our Southern home (reporting from North Carolina!). So much so that Maxx, my younger brother, marked this as his favorite and noted “it’s so tasty and familiar” (reader, he doesn’t do the grocery shopping, but his taste buds are strong). It has all of the characteristics of a classic eggnog: thick, creamy, and slightly yellow from the egg yolks. 

So where did it fall short? Some folks, like Eid, my grandpa, found it to be on the thicker side, but my grandma Amy followed that up by saying it would be a great coffee creamer (Noted, Grandma!). 

What’s So Great

• “Great as a coffee creamer”
• Creamy

Good to Know

• On the thicker side

Buy: Southern Comfort Eggnog, $4.79 for 32 ounces at Instacart

The foundation for eggnog is heavy cream and eggs, so a vegan version may seem pretty antithetical, but the Elmhurst Oat Nog manages to make a creamy, delicately spiced dairy-free eggnog that rivals the original stuff. Although this is an oatmilk-based milk, this version is thickened with cashews.

My grandma delicately described it as “not too sweet” (which in an Asian household is the equivalent to a gold star). In the end, she was shocked that it didn’t contain any real milk because it was still “silky and creamy,” according to my sister, Chessie.

It was on the pricier end compared with other eggnogs ($8.59) and was delicious with and without a shot of rum, which we added later in the night. 

What’s So Great

• Thick and creamy
• Not too sweet
• Great spiked

Good to Know

• Contains cashews
• $$$

Buy: Elmhurst Oat Nog, $8.59 for 32 ounces at Instacart

This almond-based eggnog is cinnamon-forward and totally tasty. Our group of testers had great things to say about it: “wonderfully spiced,” “sweet,” and “festive.” Although we could immediately tell it was a dairy-free version primarily due to its thin consistency, it still “packed a punch in flavor despite being on the thinner side,” according to my mom and was very, very delicious. 

Whether you’re drinking straight from the jug, spiking with a bit of brandy, or baking with it, this is an excellent dairy-free eggnog option for the holidays.

What’s So Great

• “Packed a punch in flavor”
• Cinnamon-forward
• Delicious

Good to Know

• On the thinner side

Buy: Califia Farms Holiday Nog, $4.99 for 48 ounces at Target

The day after Thanksgiving I gathered my large (and very opinionated) family in the kitchen to conduct a blind taste test of eight different eggnog brands, including several dairy-free options. I assigned each eggnog one letter — from A through H — to hide each brand’s identity and laid them out in a cluster of ready-to-drink cups. My 10 family members paired off groups of two to taste. 

Tasters were also handed a notepad and encouraged to sample each eggnog in random order before marking down their notes, ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5), and rankings. We also had plenty of water for much-needed palate cleansing between tastings. 

Did your favorite eggnog make the list? Tell us about it in the comments below.