Okay, I’ve done it — the Eggnog White Russian is my new holiday obsession.

When I plan my Thursday cocktail posts I usually schedule them months in advance. This one was on my holiday list back in the summer, but as the week approached I kept second-guessing it. I love eggnog lattes, but I kept imagining an Eggnog White Russian loaded with both eggnog and cream — way too heavy, I thought.
Then readers weighed in and suggested I simply swap the cream for eggnog in a classic White Russian. Why hadn’t I thought of that? The idea sounded perfect: coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka and eggnog — decadent but not cloying.

They were absolutely right. This drink is delightful and perfect for the limited eggnog season — a few special weeks in December when it’s OK to indulge. It’s richer than your average cocktail, so I prefer it as an after-dinner treat or a dessert drink at holiday gatherings.

Full disclosure: I rarely enjoy plain eggnog by itself. A nostalgic sip while decorating the tree is one thing, but a whole glass? Not so much. Mix it with coffee — hot or iced — and I’m all in. Replacing the cream in a White Russian with eggnog gives the drink that warm, spiced profile I love without feeling overly heavy.

Serve this cocktail over crushed ice for a texture that’s almost milkshake-like — rich and creamy, but cold and refreshing. A small glass goes a long way; the eggnog makes it satisfyingly decadent. Finish with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and you have a festive, boozy milkshake for adults.

Eggnog White Russian
Eggnog White Russian
Yield:
1
15 mins
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Ingredients
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur, like Kahlua
- 1 ounce vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces eggnog
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg, for topping
Instructions
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Fill a glass with crushed ice.
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Shake the vanilla vodka and coffee liqueur together in a cocktail shaker for about 20 seconds. Pour the mixture over the crushed ice, then gently pour the eggnog on top and stir to combine. Finish with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and serve.
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Definitely dessert in a glass.