Eggnog is a drink made from egg yolks, milk or heavy cream, sugar, rum, and spices. The tradition of making homemade eggnog has been around since the 13th century and was initially used to keep people awake during winter nights. Today, a glass of eggnog is often served at Christmas parties and is also enjoyed year-round, especially if you are a fan of eggnog. That is why we give you tips on how much eggnog per person is for a gathering. We also made some things to remember when serving homemade eggnog to a crowd.
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How Much Eggnog Per Person for a Family Gathering or a Large Group
In order to account for each individual guest, plan to have 1.5 cups of eggnog for each person. Only pour half a cup into glasses, as this is the suggested serving size. Eggnog is a delicious holiday drink, so make certain that you plan appropriately so your guests get as many cups as they want.
You should know how many cups of milk, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract you need to mix into each gallon of milk. Then, add rum or brandy to taste. You can also discard the alcohol content if you think the guest will not like it. Some would also add vanilla ice cream to their holiday eggnog for more flavor and sweetness. If you are planning to serve the eggnog in mugs, be sure to measure out the amount of milk needed for one mug.
A Table of Exactly how Much Eggnog for Between 10 to 100 Guests
How Much Eggnog for 10 Guests
You should prepare at least 15 cups of eggnog for all 10 guests at your party.
How Much Eggnog for 20 Guests
You should prepare at least 30 cups of eggnog for all 10 guests at your party.
How Much Eggnog for 50 Guests
You should prepare at least 75 cups of eggnog for all 10 guests at your party.
How Much Eggnog for 70 Guests
You should prepare at least 105 cups of eggnog for all 10 guests at your party.
How Much Eggnog for 100 Guests
You should prepare at least 150 cups of eggnog for all 10 guests at your party.
How to Serve Eggnog for A Big Crowd
When you are preparing for a large gathering, you may want to consider using a particular container for storing the eggnog. This way, you won’t have to worry about spillage and mess. Remember that commercial eggnog contains fewer eggs than homemade ones. Also, you can use larger containers to store the eggnog for later use. For example, you could use an insulated cooler with four compartments to hold up to eight gallons of eggnog.

Here are some tips about how to serve eggnog to a big crowd:
- Use a large pitcher filled with eggnog.
- Add a shot of rum or a shot of brandy to the eggnog before serving.
- If you are serving the eggnog in glasses, only fill half of them.
- Keep the eggnog chilled until ready to serve.
- Make sure you have plenty of napkins, plates, and utensils available.
- Have extra bowls of nuts and candies on hand.
What Are the Tips In Making Eggnog for a Large Party
Always keep the holiday drink chilled! You should put the ice cube into a larger container, such as an empty glass or bowl. This will slow down the melting process and allow you to enjoy your beverage longer. A Bundt cake mold makes a nice presentation when placed in the middle of the bowl.
Furthermore, if you have the means to buy premium ingredients, do it! When making the holiday drink, I’d go for the local dairy products at your market rather than national brands. Because dairy makes up almost half of this drink, it will taste much better. To serve your eggnog, you’ll need a huge punch bowl and a ladle. It’s lovely and useful since the ladle may also be used to mix the drink throughout the evening, as anything containing dairy (or juice, for that matter) will begin to separate from the alcohol.
Lastly, you can fill a crystal punch or silver punch cup with the eggnog and add a sprinkle of grated fresh nutmeg to finish. Then, find a clean surface to set the bowl and glasses on for everyone to view. It is best to place it around the bowls with Christmas tree bows or ribbons, but citrus fruits, persimmons, and pomegranates are also beautiful décor.

What Are the Alternatives to Eggnog
Eggnog is one of the most popularly served drinks during the holiday season, especially Christmas. However, there are other alternatives for those who don’t like the traditional eggnog recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Try adding rum or brandy to your eggnog instead of water.
- Use milk instead of heavy cream.
- Add vanilla extract or cinnamon to give it a different flavor.
- Replace the egg yolks with whole eggs.
- Make it vegan by replacing the egg whites with soy or almond milk
- Mix the eggnog with ginger ale for a refreshing alternative.
- Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and add honey to sweeten it.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to make it healthier.
- If you prefer something more fruity, try adding pineapple juice or orange juice instead of water.
- You can even replace the eggnog with a smoothie made from banana, strawberries, and yogurt.
Aside from the things mentioned above, you can also completely replace eggnog with these:
- Almond milk-nog
- Soy-Nog
- Oat Nog
- Lactose-free Nog
Homemade Eggnog Recipe
This is one of the traditional eggnog recipes that everybody wants. If you want to add something unique to the ingredients, just refer to the alternative options above.
Servings: 12
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 12 large egg yolks
- 2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon , for topping
- pinch of salt to taste
- shot of rum (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt to a bare simmer. Give it a stir every now and again until it reaches a bare simmer.
3. Add the rest of the milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Repeat, adding a spoonful at a time to temper the eggs. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan on the stove once most of the hot milk has been added.
4. Make sure to whisk for only a few minutes until the liquid thickens just a little (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools. Add the vanilla and alcohol, if used, after removing it from the heat.
5. Place the eggnog in a fine mesh strainer, cover with plastic wrap, and pour it into a pitcher or other container. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the yogurt to firm up. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a smoother, thinner consistency, add all of the ingredients together in a blender. Blend with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth and creamy.
6. To serve, arrange the apples in a serving dish and sprinkle them with cinnamon or nutmeg. If desired, top with fresh whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to properly drink eggnog?
It’s best to sip eggnog slowly, but not too slowly! The longer it sits, the thicker it gets. When drinking eggnog, pair it with a slice of toast or some cookies. This way, you won’t get sick from drinking too much.
Should eggnog be served over ice?
Yes, because this helps keep the eggnog cold. But don’t forget to remove the foam first, so you’ll have room for your ice cubes.
What type of glasses do you serve eggnog in?
Eggnog should always be served in a tall glass. You can use any type of glass, but we recommend a wide-mouthed tumbler, like a Collins glass.