Spiked Bourbon Eggnog with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

This spiked bourbon eggnog cocktail with cinnamon and nutmeg is rich, creamy, and just strong enough to get you through a long night of gift wrapping or family dinners, and it only takes 2 minutes to whip up.

When Christmas rolls around—actually, who am I kidding—when the first snow hits the ground, I find myself staring sadly at my half-finished morning coffee, wishing it were something a little more festive… like eggnog with a splash of bourbon. There’s just something about the chill in the air, twinkling lights, and scent of cinnamon that makes me crave cozy cocktails. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every eggnog variation you can imagine, but this spiked bourbon eggnog—with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg—has officially earned a spot at the top of our holiday cocktail list. My husband agrees: it’s right up there with my bourbon milk punch and vanilla spiced eggnog and rum as a seasonal must-sip.

Whether you’re hosting a party, trimming the tree, or simply curling up with a good movie, this bourbon eggnog fits right in. And if you’re as bourbon-obsessed as we are, be sure to check out my roundup of the best bourbon cocktails and my all-time favorite Bourbon Manhattan. 

So, deck the halls and spike your eggnog with a good bourbon whiskey—for a fa-la-la-la fabulous good time.

Personal Bourbon Recommendations for Spiked Eggnog

100-Proof Bourbons 

A good 100-proof bourbon makes a fantastic spiked eggnog recipe. My husband and I swear by the following bourbons: 

• Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond
• 1792 Bottled In Bond

TOP TIP: For 100-proof bottles of bourbon look for “Bottled in Bond” on the label, like I use in my Kentucky Buck Cocktail and Bourbon Apricot Cocktail.

Lower-Proof Bourbons 

For lower-proof bourbons, we recommend the following: 

• Buffalo Trace (traditionally used for Kentucky Maid cocktails and bourbon lemonade) 
• Weller Special Reserve

How Much Bourbon to add to Eggnog?

This will come down to the bourbon’s proof and your personal taste. If you are using 100 proof or higher bourbon start with 1 oz. bourbon to 5 oz. eggnog. Then adjust from there. In the recipe card below this is the ratio used.

How to Make Big Batch Bourbon Eggnog

If you’re planning to serve a group and want to make bourbon and eggnog cocktail recipe in batches, you’ll just scale up the ingredients. Start with a ratio of 5 parts eggnog to 1 part bourbon. For a small gathering of 8 to 10 people, I recommend the following: 

• 5 cups (40 oz.) of store-bought eggnog
•  1 to 1½ cups of bourbon (depending on how strong you like it). 
• Add about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 

You can even add a splash of vanilla extract if you want a little extra depth. Chill the whole batch in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, then pour over ice and garnish with cinnamon sticks or a dusting of nutmeg. It’s creamy, frothy, and boozy. Spend less time mixing drinks and more time enjoying the holiday season.