Just what is a nog, you know, as in eggnog? That’s a somewhat controversial topic. Depending on your source, a nog is a kind of strong beer brewed in East Anglia (eastern England), a type of wooden mug from the Middle Ages, or any beverage made with beaten eggs. In any case, eggnog or nog has been around for a while…at least from 1693. Wherever it came from, it’s delicious and immediately triggers new and old memories of Christmas.
So, to kick off the holidays, here are 10 wine-based eggnog cocktail recipes. Mix eggnog with wine, you ask. Definitely, I say. Eggnog and wine pair beautifully because their contrasting and complementary qualities create a yin and yang of yumminess. Eggnog’s creamy sweetness, spiced with vanilla and nutmeg, is offset by the wine’s acid. In fact, a possible precursor to eggnog, 15-century Posett, was made by boiling milk and adding either wine or ale. So, the concept’s been around for a while.
So, with my new friend, Chatty Patty (ChatGPT), we devised the following Yuletide celebratory drinks. I used store-bought eggnog (hey, we can’t all be Martha Stewart), but feel free to make the eggnog from scratch.
Red Wine Eggnog Punch
Ingredients: 2 cups red wine (such as Merlot), 2 cups eggnog, 1/4 cup brandy, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Instructions: In a large bowl, combine red wine, eggnog, and brandy. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve over ice in a punch bowl with cinnamon sticks for garnish.
Why It Works: It nails the balance between eggnog’s creamy sweetness and wine’s fruity brightness, making it a festive standout.
Image White Wine Eggnog Spritzer via ChatGPT
White Wine Eggnog Spritzer
Ingredients: 1 cup white wine (like Chardonnay), 1 cup eggnog, 1/2 cup club soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, crushed ice.
Instructions: Mix the white wine, eggnog, and vanilla extract in a pitcher. Add club soda just before serving. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
Why It Works: The drink balances eggnog’s creamy richness with the crisp, refreshing white wine notes and a fizzy soda splash.
Image Mulled Wine Eggnong via ChatGPT
Mulled Wine Eggnog
Ingredients: 1 bottle red wine, 2 cups eggnog, 1/2 cup brandy, 2 tablespoons honey, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 orange (sliced).
Instructions: Heat the wine with honey, cloves, cinnamon, and orange slices until warm (do not boil). Remove from heat and stir in eggnog and brandy. Serve warm in mugs.
Why It Works: Combining two-holiday favorites is sure to delight everyone. Again, the acid of the wine works its magic with the creamy eggnog and spices.
Image Sparkling Rosé Eggnog Fizz via ChatGPT
Sparkling Rosé Eggnog Fizz
Ingredients: 1 cup sparkling rosé, 1 cup eggnog, 1 tablespoon orange liqueur, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Instructions: Gently mix eggnog with orange liqueur. Top with chilled sparkling rosé and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve in champagne flutes.
Why This Cocktail Works: The “fizz” works wonders with the eggnog
Image Port Wine Eggnog Cocktail via ChatGPT
Port Wine Eggnog Cocktail
Ingredients: 1/2 cup port wine, 1/2 cup eggnog, 2 tablespoons dark rum, a dash of cinnamon.
Instructions: Shake port, eggnog, and rum with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Why This Cocktail Works: The blend of port’s complex fruity flavor with the creamy sweetness of eggnog.
Image Eggnog Sangria via ChatGPT
Eggnog Sangria
Ingredients: 1 bottle white wine, 2 cups eggnog, 1/2 cup brandy, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 apple (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), 1 cinnamon stick.
Instructions: Mix the wine, eggnog, brandy, and maple syrup in a pitcher. Add the apple, orange slices, and cinnamon stick. Let chill for at least an hour before serving.
Why This Cocktail Works: The combination of the wine, brandy, and eggnog balances out the sweetness of the maple syrup and spice.
Image Eggnog Mimosa via ChatGPT
Eggnog Mimosa
Ingredients: 1/2 cup eggnog, 1/2 cup sparkling wine, 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur, whipped cream.
Instructions: Mix eggnog with coffee liqueur. Pour into a glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.
Why This Cocktail Works: The “fizz” in the wine works wonders with the eggnog.
Image Eggnog Mulled Wine Toddy via ChatGPT
Eggnog Mulled Wine Toddy
Ingredients: 1 cup red wine, 1 cup eggnog, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 cinnamon stick, lemon peel.
Instructions: Warm the red wine, bourbon, and maple syrup with a cinnamon stick over low heat. Remove from heat, stir in eggnog, and garnish with lemon peel.
Why This Cocktail Works: Comfort in a glass! The combination of warming the alcohol, maple syrup, and eggnog will take the chill of a cold winter night.
Note: I'd recommend heating on a stove top
Image Eggnog White Wine Cooler - via ChatGPT
Eggnog White Wine Cooler
Ingredients: 1 cup eggnog, 1 cup chilled white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc), 1/4 cup soda water, 1 tablespoon ginger liqueur.
Instructions: Mix the eggnog and white wine in a shaker. Pour over ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a slice of ginger.
Why This Cocktail Works: The Eggnog White Wine Cooler works because the crisp, citrusy notes of Sauvignon Blanc cut through eggnog’s creamy sweetness.
Image Eggnog Red Wine Float - via ChatGPT
Eggnog Red Wine Float
Ingredients: 1 cup red wine (like Zinfandel), 1 cup eggnog, 1 scoop vanilla ice cream, grated nutmeg.
Instructions: In a glass, add red wine and eggnog. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately.
Why This Cocktail Works: The ice cream works with the eggnog because it adds extra creaminess and a subtle sweetness, enhancing the fruit in the Zinfandel.