Black Folks Homemade Southern Eggnog
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Eggnog isn’t just a holiday drink… It’s a whole mood! A creamy, spiced-up sip of Southern comfort you can drink, wrapped in holiday joy and seasoned with tradition.
I used to grab a carton every Thanksgiving and Christmas… until my mama let me in on the real secret: the way her mama and grandma made it. Homemade. Silky. Velvety. And mixed the Black folks’ soul food way, where flavor meets legacy, and every sip feels like a hug from generations past.
If you’ve only had store-bought… Baby, get ready! This is eggnog elevated, celebrated, and made with pure holiday heart and soul.
Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot® brings you this homemade soul food eggnog recipe — a rich, spiced holiday sip crafted with Southern comfort, cultural heritage, and modern kitchen ease.
What is Southern eggnog?
Creamy, sweet, and soul-warming, Black folks’ homemade eggnog is a holiday treasure, rich with warm spices, kissed with vanilla and coconut, and crafted for the most wonderful time of the year.
My mama handed down her recipe to me, and funny enough, it’s the same recipe our Puerto Rican relatives use for homemade coquito. It all makes sense when you remember that many Black folks have Afro–Caribbean roots. So yes, this is still very much a Black folks’ recipe — a Southern comfort–meets–Caribbean spice eggnog.
Only difference? Instead of mixing it up on the islands of PR, my grandmas were whisking it together on the shores of good ol’ North Cackalacky!
Ingredients
This Southern soul food eggnog comes together with simple ingredients that pack big holiday flavor! Silky egg yolks blended with evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk for that creamy, old-school richness. A splash of water to smooth it out, and cream of coconut for a hint of island sweetness. Warm nutmeg and cinnamon bring the cozy holiday spice, while vanilla extract ties it all together with that familiar, comforting aroma that tastes like tradition in every sip.
How to make eggnog
The beauty of this soul food eggnog is that it’s as easy as it is delicious! Simply whisk together your ingredients, then whip, and give it a quick blend to make everything silky-smooth and holiday dreamy!
- Heat and thicken: Use a double boiler to gently heat and whisk the egg yolks and evaporated milk until thick and warmed.
- Blend it smooth: Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the remaining ingredients, and blend until silky.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, then pour over ice, garnish with cinnamon, and enjoy this rich, creamy holiday sip the soul food way!
❤️ Serve it like a Southerner…
So every pour is served with history, heart, and a whole lotta soul!
When to serve soul food eggnog
Soul food homemade eggnog is the kind of holiday drink that fits in anywhere. Before dinner, after dinner, or right alongside the feast. It shows up faithfully from Thanksgiving to Christmas and keeps the celebration flowing straight into the New Year!
For many Black families, eggnog was a holiday party tradition. My mom still laughs about being a little girl, sneaking tiny sips before Grandma added the rum. And let’s be real… some of y’all’s memories involve homemade eggnog enjoyed over at the neighborhood bootlegger’s house — where the cinnamon was warm, the company was lively, and the “extra cheer” was generously poured. Just sayin’.
And we’re not alone in this tradition. Our Afro-Caribbean cousins celebrate the season with their own beloved version: coquito (or coquí), a creamy coconut-rich eggnog that feels like a hug from the islands!
How to serve eggnog
Eggnog shines brightest when served in a beautiful glass tumbler or a classic cocktail glass — dressed up, chilled, and ready to impress. Pour it straight up or over ice (“with or without the rocks,” as Grandma would say). A few cubes add a cool, aromatic lift that makes each sip feel even more festive.
🥄 Shaunda says: Remember to keep homemade eggnog cold for maximum refreshment, and don’t let the ice linger too long. As it melts, it can quiet down that rich, creamy soul food flavor we love so much. Pour, sip, savor… then refill as needed!
Make-ahead tips and storing leftovers
Homemade eggnog can be whipped up and chilled as early as two hours ahead, or prepared up to three days in advance so it’s ready when the holiday magic hits.
When it’s time to serve, just pull it from the fridge and crown each glass with a little grated nutmeg or cinnamon. Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze beautifully for up to 6 months — if you don’t sip it all first!
🤖❤️ Ask your favorite AI assistant to summarize this recipe & save it!
Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- 1 Double boiler
- Whisk
- food thermometer
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 2 egg yolks
- 12 oz evaporated milk 1 can
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 14 oz cream of coconut
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup rum optional
Instructions
- Start by placing a double boiler on the stovetop over medium-high heat and pour 3 cups of water into the bottom pot.
- In the top pot, whisk together the egg yolks and evaporated milk until the mixture thickens.
- Then heat until it reaches 160 degrees F (about 6 minutes). Use a thermometer to check the temperature.
- Turn off the stovetop and pour the mixture into a blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the blender: sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, the remaining water, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and optional rum, and pulse until smooth and silky.
- Transfer the prepared eggnog to an airtight container and let it chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours so the flavors can settle into that signature soul food richness.
- Serve over ice, sprinkle a little cinnamon (or add a cinnamon stick for flair), and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
❤️ Why trust this recipe?
Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.
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I would love to try this recipe on next holiday!