Homemade Eggnog Latte

It won't matter if Starbucks brings back the eggnog latte once you see how easy it is to make this copycat version at home! Eggnog froths up beautifully and joins with simple ingredients for an ultra flavorful seasonal beverage. One secret ingredient takes it over the top.

While I'm a morning black coffee drinker, I love a flavored coffee or tea every now and then in the afternoons. It's hard for me to stray from an iced caramel macchiato in the summertime, while a honey-sweetened chamomile tea latte or peppermint tea latte hits the spot when it's cold and halfway dark at 3:45 PM.

I used to not be a big eggnog person until I started making my absolute favorite completely cooked eggnog, and ever since I've been looking for ways to bring these flavors into more holiday recipes. Making an easy homemade eggnog latte was an obvious first choice.

Reasons to Love This Recipe

• It may be the ultimate caffeinated Christmas drink! It's warm, cozy, and a great way to use up the last bits of leftover eggnog.
• Adding a few drops of (optional) rum extract provides a well-rounded eggnog flavor to make this drink extra special.
• Milk thins out and lightens up the eggnog just enough so this drink isn't too heavy.
• This post features a variety of ways to make this classic holiday drink, including several methods for frothing milk and eggnog without any special equipment.

Recipe Ingredients

• Espresso: Prepare this however you like: in an espresso machine or in a moka pot on the stove. I prefer the flavor of this 8-ounce latte with two ounces of espresso (two shots), but you can easily adjust the amount.
• Eggnog: To keep things simple I often use a carton of store-bought eggnog to make an eggnog latte and save the good stuff (homemade) for sipping solo, but homemade can likely work just fine, too.
• Milk: Use your preferred. I go with what I have on hand, which is usually 2%.
• Rum Extract: While optional, a tiny amount of rum extract, found in the baking aisle, rounds out the eggnog vibe without having to add actual rum. It's potent in flavor so don't have a heavy hand with it. One-sixteenth of a teaspoon (several drops or so) will do the trick without overwhelming. Check it out also in eggnog oatmeal, fruitcake cookies, and for those in warm parts of the world, a piña colada mocktail.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg is an essential part of eggnog. Freshly grating whole nutmeg provides a brighter and more fragrant note than ground nutmeg.

Ways To Froth Milk

The most reliable ways to achieve thick and foamy frothed milk (and eggnog thinned with milk!) are with specialty tools.

• A standalone milk frother (pictured is one I bought years ago from Nespresso) heats and froths milk quickly and is as easy as just pressing a button.
• A frothing wand is cheaper, but many varieties require you to heat the milk separately before frothing if you'd like it to be hot.

As for frothing milk with things you have around the house, if you want it to be heated you'll need to do so before frothing (you can read more in this cookie butter latte post). Add the milk and eggnog to a saucepan on the stove and heat until bubbles just begin to form around the edges of the pan. Make sure that the milk doesn't boil as it will curdle.

• Whisk: Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk it vigorously.
• Jar: Add warm milk to a large, heat-safe jar, cap, and then shake well.
• Stand blender: Add warm milk to a stand blender, secure the lid, and blend on medium speed until frothy.
• Immersion blender: Add warm milk to a tall, narrow container (like the one that comes with the immersion blender) and immersion blend until frothy. Use care that hot milk doesn't splatter out - you may want to drape a clean dish towel over top.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Eggnog Varieties: The higher fat content of standard eggnog leads to better frothing, but low-fat eggnog is often on par with 2% milk (or a little higher) and works just fine, too. A vegan nog, such as one with an almond or oat milk base, may be trickier to froth well due to the lower fat content but can still be enjoyable.
• Party Perfect: An eggnog latte is a cozy beverage to serve after dinner at a get-together. My not-so-secret trick to sipping one later in the evening? Using decaf espresso.
• Here are some easy variations on this recipe.
  • Iced Eggnog Latte: Grab a larger glass and serve over handful of ice. Do not heat the milk/eggnog before frothing.
  • Chai Eggnog Latte: Replace the espresso with chai concentrate or regular brewed chai. Let one chai tea bag steep in 4 ounces of water for an extra-concentrated base.
  • Spiked Eggnog Latte: Simply add rum, bourbon, or your eggnog alcohol of choice.

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