‘Tis the Season for Eggnog: Our Favorite Vegan Nogs (Plus Recipes!)

The clue is in the name: eggnog is usually made with, well, eggs. You would therefore be forgiven for thinking it can’t be made vegan. But we have good news for the festive season: you can make vegan eggnog yourself, and you can also buy it. So, whether you save it for Christmas Eve or down nog all season long, here is a list of some of the tastiest vegan nogs on the market, as well as five fabulous recipes to make it at home. Cheers!

JUMP TO THE EGGNOG

What is eggnog? 

Original versions of eggnog can be dated back hundreds of years to medieval England. The egg- and milk-based beverage typically included dairy cream, sugar, wine, or beer, and an assortment of thickening agents from oats to bread.

Food historians have dated spiced eggnog, or posset (essentially a medieval form of the drink), as far back as the 1200s. It was a food reserved for aristocratic circles, as ingredients such as spices and sugar were cost-prohibitive to most. But fast-forward to the British colonization of North America, and eggnog gained accessibility due to the abundance of dairy and rum. The rum soon became an essential ingredient, as the alcohol prevented the beverage from spoiling in a time before the invention of refrigeration.

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RELATED: Starbucks Holiday Drinks Have Arrived—Here’s How to Order Vegan

Today, most commercially sold eggnog still isn’t vegan, and it usually doesn’t contain alcohol either. Instead of booze to kill bacteria, today’s eggnogs are pasteurized and refrigerated.

There are generally two types of nog—those meant for mixing with alcohol and those meant for drinking straight from the carton. The mixing variety tends to be sweeter and thicker—two necessary components to balance out the booze.

Given the heavy use of animal ingredients in traditional eggnog, it may seem difficult to find a vegan version. Fortunately, there is a vegan version of everything—including this holiday drink. 

The secret to vegan eggnog

Crafting vegan eggnog isn’t as straightforward as replacing all the animal ingredients with vegan swaps. Yes, the dairy is easy to replicate, but you can’t (or at least, you shouldn’t) replace the egg yolk with a plant-based alternative such as JUST Egg.

To achieve the richness of classic eggnog, brands use a variety of thickening agents from pure oat milk to more processed ingredients like gellan gum. If you’re making vegan eggnog at home, cashews are a reliable bet as they contain high amounts of fat.

Full-fat non-dairy milk, sweetener, spices, and optional binding agents (for store-bought varieties) are all that’s needed to make vegan nog. Here are the best store-bought vegan eggnogs to buy and recipes to make.

Vegan eggnog you can buy

Check out these vegan nogs the next time you’re stocking up on groceries. 

1 So Delicious Coconut Holiday Nog

Blast Mele Kalikimaka as you sip on this coconut-based holiday bevy. The hint of coconut takes you to the tropics while the nutmeg brings you back to cozy winter nights. If you’re adding a bit of libation, rum is the way to go. 
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Trader Joe’s

2 Trader Joe’s O’Nog

Yep, this tiki-themed grocer is leaning into the oat nog trend. Look for the cartoon oat wrapped in a festive green-and-red striped scarf as you scan the aisles for this limited-time offering. 
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3 Califia Farms Holiday Nog

This behemoth of a vegan beverage brand was one of the first to debut a dairy-free nog. Made with the company’s beloved almond milk and a good amount of sugar, this treat is light and sweet. It beckons for a tipple of rum or brandy! 
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Elmhurst

4 Elmhurst Oat Nog

Made with just six ingredients, this is one of the cleanest store-bought eggnogs you can find on supermarket shelves. The beverage is exceptional served warm or chilled and marries excellently with coffee for those inclined to swap their daily creamer for something a bit more festive. 
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5 Good & Gather Plant-Based Oatmilk Holiday Nog

Even Target is getting on the vegan nog bandwagon. This beverage is thick and creamy—perfect by the glass or poured into a shot of espresso for a foamy vegan eggnog latte!
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6 Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog

Light and sweet, this drink is great for kids on its own or adults when spiked with alcohol. Rum, brandy, or bourbon, it’s all good. It also ranks on the lower end of the caloric spectrum when it comes to vegan eggnog; while some brands sit around 100 calories per half-cup serving, this product contains 70 calories per serving
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7 Malk Holiday Nog

Like all of Malk’s plant-based beverages, this ultra-creamy Holiday Nog is made with high-quality, simple ingredients. In fact, there are just five ingredients in this festive seasonal blend, including organic almonds, maple syrup, and warm holiday spices.
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8Planet Oat Oat Nog

We love the sweet, creative packaging on Planet Oat’s Oat Nog. But it doesn’t just look fun and festive—it tastes like the holidays in a carton, too.
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9 Harmless Harvest Coconut Nog

Harmless Harvest’s Coconut Nog is a bit different from the other options on this list, as it’s technically a coconut smoothie made with coconut water and coconut meat. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring the festive flavor to this super refreshing beverage.
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Misunderstood

10Misunderstood Hard Oat Nog

The only alcoholic nog on this list, Misunderstood’s take on this holiday libation brings together Ginger Spiced Whiskey and oat milk for a tasty seasonal drink. One sip, and you’ll want to make this hard nog a part of your holiday traditions year after year.
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Vegan eggnog recipes you can make

Ready to get festive in the kitchen? Don’t miss these five vegan eggnog recipes.

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1Cashew Vanilla Bean Vegan Eggnog

Four ingredients (plus water) are all you need to make a cheers-worthy holiday beverage. Naturally sweetened with dates and flavored with vanilla bean and freshly grated nutmeg, this thick and warming drink will bring on the cozy without the sugar rush.
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Minimalist Baker

2 Easy Vegan Eggnog

Canned coconut milk lends a deliciously rich texture to this cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla, and nutmeg-spiced brew. The author encourages readers to top with a floater of bourbon, a mound of non-dairy whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Take a photo for the ‘gram. 
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My Darling Vegan

3 5-Minute Eggnog

These days, guests typically don’t call at a moment’s notice and invite themselves over. Still, it helps to have a few quick recipes in your holiday hosting arsenal for convenience sake. Throw cashews, desiccated coconut, and spices into a powerful blender and chill in the fridge until guests pop by. 
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Crazy Vegan Kitchen

4 Vegan Eggnog

If you can, try using fresh spices for this luxurious vegan nog. It may not be your everyday eggnog, but the freshly grated nutmeg and flecks of pure vanilla bean will make any celebration far more festive. 
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