Homemade Eggnog Latte — A Cozy Holiday Coffee You Can Make at Home
If you can also guzzle eggnog like it’s water this time of year, have I got a drink for you. The eggnog latte is the perfect blend of two of my favorite things – the delicious creamy rich warmth of eggnog and the caffeinated love of espresso. Learning how to make an eggnog latte at home is surprisingly easy, and you only need a handful of ingredients and about five minutes. It’s warm, festive, and tastes like Christmas morning in a mug. This time of year, an eggnog latte is the perfect holiday drink to whip up at home.
Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Latte
- Super quick — Ready in about 5 minutes.
- Minimal ingredients — Just espresso, eggnog, milk, and a little vanilla syrup.
- Festive flavor — Eggnog adds that classic holiday spice without extra effort.
- Cheaper than the coffee shop — Save money and make it exactly the way you like it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ cup eggnog
- ½ cup milk (any milk works, but whole milk or 2% steam best)
- 1–2 shots espresso (or strong brewed coffee)
- 1 tbsp vanilla syrup (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, cinnamon, nutmeg
Tip: If your eggnog is very sweet, you can reduce the syrup or skip it entirely.
Why You Should Use Milk With the Eggnog
Using a mix of eggnog and milk is the secret to getting a perfectly balanced eggnog latte at home. This was my biggest learning curve in making this drink, because it seems like eggnog is already kind of milky, so why can’t you just replace the milk of a latte entirely with eggnog and call it good? While you can make a latte with straight eggnog, adding milk creates a smoother, lighter, and more well rounded drink. Here’s why the combination works so well:
1. Better Frothing
Eggnog is thick,high in sugar, and store bought likely contains stabilizers, which makes it tough to foam properly on its own. Milk helps it froth more evenly, giving you that silky, latte style microfoam.
2. A More Balanced Flavor
Eggnog is naturally rich, sweet, and spiced. The added milk softens the sweetness and creates a perfectly balanced latte – instead of just tasting like a glass of eggnog, you give the coffee a chance to shine as well.
3. Creamier Yet Lighter Texture
Milk thins the eggnog just enough to make the drink smooth and sippable while still maintaining that cozy richness.
4. Easier to Heat Without Separating
Because eggnog contains eggs and dairy, it can become grainy or separate if heated too quickly or brought to a boil. Mixing it with milk helps thin and stabilize the mixture, making it easier to warm gently and evenly. For the smoothest latte, use medium-low heat and remove the mixture from the stove before it boils.
How to Make an Eggnog Latte at Home
1. Warm the Eggnog & Milk
In a small saucepan, whisk together the eggnog and milk. Heat gently over medium-low heat. Don’t let it boil—just warm it until it’s steamy and hot. If you plan to use an electric frother that also acts as a steamer (like this one), you can skip this step.
2. Froth the Mixture
Use a handheld frother, electric frother, or the steam wand on your espresso machine to froth the warm eggnog mixture until it’s light and creamy.
3. Brew Your Espresso
Brew 1–2 shots of espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee). Pour it into your favorite holiday mug.
4. Add Syrup & Combine
Stir in the vanilla syrup, then top with the warm frothy eggnog mixture.
5. Finish with Toppings
Dust with cinnamon or nutmeg, add whipped cream, or top with crushed gingerbread cookie crumbs for a fun holiday twist.
Tips & Variations
- Make it iced: Pour espresso over ice, then add cold frothed eggnog/milk mixture. Top with eggnog cold foam for the perfect iced latte.
- Extra spice: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice.
- Sugar cookie version: Swap vanilla syrup for sugar cookie syrup. Somehow the eggnog and sugar cookie work together without overpowering each other.
- Dairy-free: Use almond, oat, or coconut milk eggnog.
What to Serve with an Eggnog Latte
This cozy drink pairs beautifully with:
- Gingerbread cookies
- Holiday coffee cake
- Cinnamon rolls
- French toast casserole
Perfect for a festive Christmas brunch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an eggnog latte without an espresso machine?
Absolutely! You can substitute ¼–½ cup of strongly brewed coffee for the espresso. The flavor will be slightly different, but you’ll still get that delicious combination of coffee and creamy, spiced eggnog.
Can you froth eggnog by itself?
Yes, but eggnog doesn’t always froth as easily as regular milk because of its thicker consistency and higher sugar content. Mixing eggnog with milk helps create a lighter, smoother foam that’s perfect for homemade lattes.
Does an eggnog latte have coffee in it?
Yes! A traditional eggnog latte combines espresso with steamed eggnog and milk. If you want the same festive flavor without caffeine, try using decaf espresso.
Can I make an eggnog latte ahead of time?
An eggnog latte tastes best freshly prepared, especially if you want that creamy, frothy topping. However, you can measure and combine your eggnog and milk ahead of time and keep the mixture refrigerated until you’re ready to heat and froth it.
The Most Wonderful Drink of the Year
This homemade eggnog latte is warm, cozy, and full of holiday flavor—just the thing to sip on as the lights twinkle and the holiday season unfolds and to caffeinate yourself for the season. It’s simple, incredibly delicious, and an easy way to bring a little extra Christmas magic to your mornings (or midnights, no judgement here)!
Homemade Eggnog Latte
Ingredients
- ½ cup prepared eggnog
- ½ cup milk whole or 2% recommended
- 1 – 2 shots espresso or ¼–½ cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup optional, to taste
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for topping (optional)
- Whipped cream for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the eggnog and milk. In a small saucepan, combine the eggnog and milk. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and steaming but not boiling. If you are using an electric steamer/frother, you can skip this step.
- Froth the mixture. Use a handheld milk frother, electric frother, or espresso machine steam wand to froth the warm eggnog mixture until light and creamy.
- Brew the espresso. Prepare 1–2 shots of espresso or ¼–½ cup strongly brewed coffee. Pour into your favorite coffee mug.
- Add the vanilla syrup. Stir the vanilla syrup into the hot espresso, adjusting the amount based on the sweetness of your eggnog.
- Combine and serve. Slowly pour the warm, frothed eggnog mixture over the espresso. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and whipped cream if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For the best foam: Mixing eggnog with milk helps create a smoother, lighter froth than using eggnog alone.
Avoid overheating: Heat the eggnog mixture gently and never let it boil, as overheating can cause separation.
No espresso machine? Substitute ¼–½ cup strongly brewed coffee.
Make it iced: Let the espresso cool slightly, then pour over ice and add cold eggnog and milk. Top with homemade eggnog cold foam if desired.
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free eggnog and your favorite plant-based milk.
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