Gimme Some Oven

Chai Eggnog

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Chai Eggnog recipe is lightened up a bit, quick and easy to prepare, and simmered with vanilla and chai tea bags for an extra delicious kick. Feel free to spike your eggnog with a pour of bourbon, rum or brandy if you’d like.

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

This post is sponsored by McCormick Spices, maker of the real vanilla extract that I’ve used a thousand times in my recipes. ;)

As much as we’re loving learning about all of the new holiday traditions here in Spain this year, I’ve gotta say, being away from home has given us a new appreciation for how stellar our traditions are back home in the States.

Especially when it comes to food.

Like, truly. We were just talking the other day about how crazy it feels to not be tempted here by Christmas cookies and treats popping up everywhere you go during the month of December. (Cookies just aren’t a big deal here around the holidays.)  Also, candy canes and peppermints here are noticeably absent on everything. (Even in those famous red cups at Starbucks!)  And we still have yet to run across hot apple cider anywhere in Barcelona. (Good think I know a good homemade recipe…)

HOWEVER. I must say that we do feel right at home here when it comes to other cozy, comforting holiday drinks. Case in point — we’ve already been invited to three mulled wine holiday gatherings with friends. (Or vino de Navidad, as they call it here.)   People here in Barcelona also take their hot chocolate very, very seriously. (And will always be sure to casually slip into conversation that Spain takes the credit for introducing chocolate to Europe.)  And brewing a quick cup of espresso here with friends 24/7 is just a given.

But there is one remaining holiday drink we’ve been missing that here that we decided to just whip up ourselves before setting out for an evening of Christmas light hunting last week:

Classic eggnog. ? ? ?

Better yet…classic eggnog lightened-up a bit (or even made vegan, if you’d like). And simmered with vanilla and chai tea bags for some extra cozy spices. And spiked with a generous pour of bourbon or rum or brandy, if you’re feeling extra festive. And served up stat in your home this season, wherever in the world the holidays may find you. ?

Chai Eggnog Recipe | 1-Minute Video

Alright, let’s talk ingredients here…

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

First, vanilla extract. Good vanilla is essential when it comes to good eggnog, and McCormick has been my go-to extract for years and years. (And it has been fun to see it in stores here in Spain too!)  Plus, vanilla pairs beautifully with chai spices, so I’ve added a good amount to this recipe.

Second, chai. For simplicity’s sake, I just used some chai tea bags to spice this eggnog, and they worked like a charm. But if you don’t have access to chai bag, you’re welcome to use 2-3 tablespoons (to taste) of my homemade chai concentrate, if you’d like.

Third, eggs.  Traditionally, eggs are the starring ingredient in eggnog. But if you happen to be vegan, or just aren’t that into a drink full of eggs, check out the option below for cashew blend instead. I also skipped the step of whipping the egg whites and adding them back in, and also cut down a bit on the number of yolks included in traditional eggnog, to make the drink a bit easier and lighter. (Traditional eggnog is usually way too rich and heavy for my taste.)

Fourth, milks. I also swapped in coconut milk and almond milk, in place of traditional cream and whole milk, to lighten things up a bit and make this recipe dairy-free. Feel free to use any milks that you prefer in this recipe, though. It’s very versatile.

Finally, maple syrup.  I chose to use maple syrup as my sweetener of choice here, but just about any (i.e. honey, various kinds of sugar, etc.) will do. Feel free to add more/less to taste.

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

The other good news with this recipe is that there are no blenders or mixers required! Simply add your milks, sweetener, egg yolks, cinnamon and salt to a saucepan, and give the mixture a good whisk by hand. Heat until simmering. Then steep the chai tea bags in the mixture for a few minutes, and add the vanilla.

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

Then this creamy, flavorful goodness will be ready to dish up and enjoy warm, or chill for awhile and serve cold, your choice!

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

I will say that this recipe tastes even better the second and third day, so feel free to whip up a batch in advance, if you have the time. And of course, an extra pour of bourbon, rum or brandy will always kick your eggnog up a delicious notch too.

This Chai Eggnog is super easy to make, it's lightened up a bit yet still nice and creamy(and dairy-free!), and it's SO cozy and delicious. Feel free to spike yours with rum, bourbon or brandy if you'd like! | Gimme Some Oven #drink #eggnog #christmas #holiday #cocktail

So simmer yourself up a batch! And also, if you’re looking for more holiday baking and cooking (and eggnog) inspo this season, be sure to check out the #NoFlavorLikeHome hashtag. Lots of deliciousness, plus a chance to win a goody bag from McCormick for yourself (details here).

Cheers, friends!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Chai Eggnog

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 3 reviews
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Chai Eggnog recipe is lightened up a bit, quick and easy to prepare, and simmered with vanilla and chai tea bags for an extra delicious kick.  Feel free to spike your eggnog with a pour of bourbon, rum or brandy if you’d like.


Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Combine coconut milk, almond milk, egg yolks, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt in a large saucepan.  Whisk vigorously for 1 minute until completely combined and slightly frothy.
  2. Heat over medium heat until the mixture just barely reaches a simmer (tiny bubbles popping up), stirring occasionally so that the eggs do not cook on the bottom of the pan.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Add the tea bags and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove and discard the tea bags.  Stir in the vanilla until combined.  Taste, and add extra maple syrup to sweeten, if desired.  And if you would like to spike your eggnog, I recommend adding 1.5 ounces of bourbon, rum, or brandy per cup of eggnog.
  3. Transfer to a heat-safe container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.  Serve chilled.

Share this Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

8 comments on “Chai Eggnog”

  1. Can you leave out the Chai to make it ‘regular’ eggnog?

  2. Hi! Looks yummy. I think I’m missing where the cashew option is–can you point it out? Thanks!

  3. Probably just the milk, maple, egg yolks and vanilla will do, I could not taste any of the chai because the coconut milk overpowered the flavor. But probably it’s just me and the type of coconut milk I used.

  4. We made this last night and loved it!!! The chai tea bags = brilliant.






  5. This was a fun twist on traditional eggnog and loved that it was lightened up! Huge hit at home and with some coworkers I shared it with.






  6. OMG I am obsessed … This eggnog is out of this world!!! My daughter (very picky 23-year-old) also loves it, especially since she tries to avoid dairy, and said to me – “Let’s not ever drink any other eggnog again!” I completely agree! I am not a coffee drinker, but have to confess that I have never tasted Chai tea, either. I really had my doubts as to how this eggnog would taste, flavored with tea, of all things, but decided to try it. I went to Sprouts and bought rooibos Chai tea, and am now in love with it, too! I used “light” coconut milk in making this (big calorie difference) and it is rich and creamy … perfect. I also used nutmeg instead of cinnamon, since I am a nutmeg fanatic, and that is heavenly too. Thank you so much, Ali!!!






  7. I haven’t tried your Chai Eggnog recipe yet, but wondered if you have one for a basic, classic, alcohol-free Eggnog? There are several online, but your recipes are some of the most reliably fantastic, so I’m hoping you have one for this, too. Thank you.

  8. This recipe sounds great, especially the egg-less version. I could not find the link to the cashew blend you mention. Where did I miss it? Thanks!