Do Eggnog Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 6th, 2022

In a nutshell, how long does each variety of eggnog last?


Homemade eggnog normally lasts 2-3 days if refrigerated at 40°F or below under appropriate circumstances. If refrigerated, store-bought eggnog lasts 5-7 days after opening. Canned eggnog has a shelf life of 4 to 5 months and should be consumed within 5-7 days of opening.

egg nog

So you’ve made Eggnog on Christmas Eve, only to discover that you’ve misjudged your family’s demands. In other words, there will be leftovers, and you do not want them to go to waste.

You’re aware that eggnog spoils, but you’re not sure how long you can keep it refrigerated.

Or perhaps you opted to try professionally produced eggnog in chilled cartons. While eggnog is a traditional Christmas drink, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be enjoyed more frequently. You may add it to your oatmeal or use it as a coffee creamer.

So you bought a carton to discover a day or two later that it only lasts a few days. You know you won’t be able to utilize it all before it spoils. That begs the issue, can eggnog be frozen?

This article will teach all you need about eggnog storage, shelf life, freezing, and spoilage.

When Eggnog Goes Bad

Even if your eggnog is properly kept, it will ultimately deteriorate. You may be able to tell if your eggnog is no longer excellent by its texture and scent. Due to the presence of lactic acid spoilage bacteria in the drink, it will become lumpy and have a sour, unpleasant fragrance as it goes bad.

You could see visible mold forming on your eggnog as well. Because it includes milk, cream, eggs, and spices, eggnog is beige to yellowish in hue. If your eggnog begins to yellow, it is ruined and should be discarded.

How Long Will Eggnog Last?

Because homemade eggnog is not pasteurized and contains no preservatives, it should be consumed within 2 to 3 days.

When it comes to store-bought eggnog, it typically has an expiration date. That date is a reliable indicator of how long the beverage will stay fresh. An unopened box should last two or three days more, but not much longer.

After you open the carton, it should last for 5 to 7 days. It lasts longer than homemade since it has been pasteurized at the very least.

 Fridge
Eggnog (homemade)2 – 3 days
Eggnog (store-bought, unopened)Sell-by + 2 – 3 days
Eggnog (store-bought, opened)5 days

How Long Will Eggnog Last Outside?

Eggnog should never be kept at room temperature. Refrigeration is required for the milk, egg yolks, and cream components.

Because of the consistent temperature, eggnog stored in a cupboard might cause the components to deteriorate quickly. If you’re not paying attention, eggnog that hasn’t been properly refrigerated might rot in a matter of hours.

If you’re throwing a party and serving eggnog in a bowl, make sure it remains cool by putting ice in and around the bowl. Unpasteurized eggnog can be harmful to one’s health.

How Long Does Eggnog Last in the Refrigerator?

Eggnog should always be kept in the fridge. This gives the components more time and prevents them from deteriorating.

Homemade eggnog will only keep in the refrigerator for two to three days after it is produced. Because this eggnog is unpasteurized and does not include preservatives, it spoils quickly.

Eggnog from the store will keep in the fridge for a bit longer. Unopened cartons can keep for up to a week after their sell-by date. Egg nog that has been opened should be consumed within 2-3 days after its sell-by date.

How Long Can You Keep Eggnog in the Freezer?

The eggnog may be stored in the freezer forever. Lumps and separation can occur when frozen, as with other dairy products, making it an unsuitable option.

Frozen eggnog should be used in baking or frozen as ice cubes for a creamer. The separation will not affect these recipes, but the flavor will remain.

The fact that eggnog can be stored in the freezer for an unlimited period makes it an appealing alternative, but you must check on the quality of the eggnog before using it.

Eggnog should only be kept in the refrigerator. The expiration date can be slightly prolonged; however, eggnog has a short expiration date owing to the contents.

How to Tell If Your Eggnog Is Bad

Have you ever noticed a difference in the color of your eggnog? Did you worry or hurry to throw it away? That is very normal, and you most likely did the proper thing.

When eggnog begins to deteriorate, the look begins to alter. As with many dairy products, there are many methods for determining if eggnog is still safe to consume.

Surprisingly, the majority of these strategies rely on your senses. Eggnog that has expired will be obvious since it will exhibit observable features while still in the bottle. Below, we will highlight some obvious traits to look for when identifying spoiled eggnog.

  • You may notice a texture change when your eggnog drink has been in the fridge for an extended period. Eggnog transforms from a delicate and silky texture to a horrible lumpy texture. The change in texture always indicates that the drink has beyond its expiration date.
  • If you notice a foul stench coming from your refrigerator, it might be a clue that your eggnog has gone bad. The delightful aroma of the eggnog is replaced with a sour and disagreeable stench. We recommend that you always dump the drink if you detect a foul odor originating from the bottle.
  • In addition, the taste of the eggnog will vary as it ages. The drink’s sweet and spectacular flavor fades, and it tastes sour and nasty. It can grow so bitter that you can’t even get it down your throat. When the flavor of the drink changes, it is best to discard it.
  • You will also notice a considerable change in the color of your eggnog after it has expired. The hue might shift from white to beige, yellowish, or blue. Many individuals avoid eggnog that has changed color due to lactic acid-producing bacteria.

How long does homemade eggnog with alcohol last?

Homemade eggnog is typically safe to drink for up to two weeks after it has been produced. However, if you keep it longer, it may become harmful to ingest.

Is it possible to become sick from old eggnog?

Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink that originated in 17th-century England. It is generally served warm, although it can also be served cold. Eggnog is often made using eggs, milk, sugar, rum, brandy, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and occasionally additional spices.

How Do You Store Eggnog?

Eggnog (or milk punch) is made mostly of milk, eggs (or solely the yolks), and whipped cream. And since all of them need refrigeration, it’s no surprise that eggnog also does.

Let’s begin with some homemade egg nog. Make sure it has cooled slightly before refrigerating it. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or mason jar, lock securely, and store in the refrigerator. That’s all.

When it comes to store-bought eggnog, it generally comes in a Tetra Pak that is readily resealable. So, once you’ve poured as much eggnog as you like or as a recipe requires, close it firmly and place it in the refrigerator.

If just a small amount of eggnog is remaining in the carton, you may easily pour the remainder into a jar or container.

When storing the beverage in the fridge, keep in mind that the temperature swings the greatest at the fridge door. If you plan to keep it in the fridge for more than a day, place it in the far corner, where the temperature will be pretty steady.

Is It Possible to Freeze Eggnog?

The eggnog may be frozen; however, like other dairy products such as buttermilk or sour cream, there can be separation and occasional lumps after thawing.

Sure, you can mix or combine it, but this will only assist to a limited extent. The resultant consistency after blending depends on the recipe. Therefore you must experiment on your own.

In short, it won’t be perfect; the,s drinking frozen and thawed egg nog on its own may not be a smart idea. However, it will work well as a creamer or in baked goods such as pumpkin pie.

How Can You Freeze Eggnog?

Before we begin freezing, it is preferable if you know how you intend to use the beverage.

If you wish to use it as a creamer, you should be able to obtain a tiny bit for your coffee. That implies utilizing an ice cube tray to freeze is the way to go.

If, on the other hand, you want to use frozen eggnog in a recipe, it is preferable to store it in airtight containers. Before putting the container in the freezer, ensure it is well shut. Remember to provide some headroom because the liquid may expand somewhat.

To earn extra points, split the beverage into the amounts needed for your recipes and freeze each one individually. This way, you can defrost only what you need.

When it comes to defrosting, let the eggnog in the fridge overnight to thaw. If you defrost it in the fridge, you may refreeze the remaining portion if you don’t use it completely.

How Do You Thaw Eggnog?

To defrost frozen eggnog, ensure it is melted in a cool environment.

Refrigerator: To defrost frozen eggnog, store it in the refrigerator overnight to allow it to melt properly. This will keep it from spoiling.

Blender: You may also mix the frozen eggnog to get a creamy texture while allowing it to thaw. However, it may still have a watery texture.

What can you do with leftover eggnog?

Aside from drinking it, there are various other ways to use leftover eggnog. Add large eggnog to your Christmas morning coffee to make it extra special.

Add some eggnog to your hot chocolate for an extra special treat. Leftover eggnog can be poured over oats or porridge without adding any sugar.

Another option to use leftover eggnog is to put it in an ice cream machine and make ice cream. It’s also delicious, soaked in bread and fried into French toast. Thinner eggnog can be combined with additional raw eggs to produce bread pudding in a baking dish.

In waffles and coffee cake, leftover eggnog can be used instead of buttermilk. You may use less sugar in these recipes since the eggnog will compensate. Other methods to use leftover eggnog include:

  • Making rice pudding with eggnog instead of milk
  • Adding a dash of eggnog to your dessert sauce

You are now aware that you should not knowingly consume spoiled eggnog or use it in any dish. When it’s fresh, drink a moderate amount of eggnog.

To get the most out of your eggnogs, use fresh ingredients from reputable suppliers, keep them carefully in the refrigerator, and consume them within a few days. All that remains is for you to enjoy your eggnog and have an eggnog holiday.

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Editorial Staff

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