This holiday season, whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a festive drink, finding the right eggnog can make or break the experience. Bad eggnog is thin, overly sweet, or worse — spoiled. To cut through the options, we conducted a blind taste test of seven popular store-bought eggnogs, evaluating them on smoothness, spice balance, sweetness, and overall drinkability. The results revealed one clear winner, along with several worthy contenders.
How We Tested
We gathered seven readily available eggnogs and poured samples into unmarked cups to eliminate bias. Each editor tasted each eggnog without knowing the brand, then rated them based on key criteria: creamy texture, balanced spices, appropriate sweetness, and a pleasant eggy flavor. The scores were tallied to crown an overall winner and identify strong alternatives.
The Ideal Eggnog: What Makes It Great?
The best eggnog balances several key elements. It should be smooth and creamy without being overly thick like melted ice cream. Spices are crucial, but should complement rather than overwhelm the flavor. Sweetness should be present, but not cloying; it should taste like a treat, not pure sugar. Finally, it must have a noticeable egg flavor without tasting like raw yolks have been blended into the beverage. Commercial eggnog often relies on stabilizers to achieve thickness, which some tasters prefer while others do not.
The Winner: 365 Organic Eggnog
365 Organic Eggnog emerged as the clear favorite. Our editors praised its “perfect balance of sweet and eggy” flavor, noting its creamy texture and well-integrated spice profile. One editor even enjoyed it enough to take a second glass home. This eggnog is pleasantly drinkable, making it ideal for serving at parties or savoring alone.
Runners-Up: For Different Preferences
While 365 Organic Eggnog took the top spot, other contenders stood out for specific palates:
- Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog: For those who prefer a kick, this boozy eggnog contains rum, brandy, and whiskey. Some found the alcohol flavor overpowering, while others appreciated its potency.
- Hood Golden Eggnog: Vanilla lovers will enjoy this option, which tastes like “melted vanilla ice cream” according to our tasters. However, it contains high fructose corn syrup and stabilizers.
Other Eggnogs Tested
The other eggnogs tested included:
* Organic Valley Eggnog
* Tuscan Farms Holiday Eggnog
* Upstate Farms Holiday Nog
* Pittsford Farms Dairy Eggnog
What We Learned
Our editors didn’t shy away from eggnogs containing stabilizers like gellan gum and carrageenan, which many brands use to thicken the beverage. In fact, the top pick, 365 Organic Eggnog, did contain some stabilizers. Ultimately, most tasters preferred eggnogs that weren’t overly sweet, with a slight preference for vanilla-forward flavors like those found in Hood’s Golden Eggnog.
While most of us enjoyed the store-bought options, the majority agreed that making eggnog from scratch would allow for greater control over sweetness, spice, and alcohol content.
The search for the perfect store-bought eggnog is over: 365 Organic Eggnog offers the best balance of flavor, texture, and drinkability for a satisfying holiday experience.
