Dairy Free Eggnog

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published November 30, 2020 • Updated March 2, 2026

Reader Rating
4.4 Stars (5 Reviews)

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

I make this dairy free eggnog every holiday season. No eggs, no dairy, just three nut milks blended into a frothy, low-carb treat that actually tastes like the real thing.

I created this keto dairy free eggnog because I wanted a holiday drink that skipped both the eggs and the dairy without tasting like watered-down spice water. After testing different nut milk combinations, I landed on a triple-milk blend (macadamia, almond, and coconut) that nails the richness of traditional eggnog. The macadamia adds a buttery depth, the coconut brings body, and the almond keeps it from getting too heavy. When I tried using just almond milk on its own, the result was thin and forgettable.

If you’ve tried my classic keto eggnog with the egg-and-cream base, this is the version for anyone avoiding dairy or eggs. Same holiday warmth, completely different approach. I reach for this one when I’m making a batch for friends with mixed dietary needs, because everyone can drink it.

The whole recipe comes together in a blender in under five minutes. I blend everything until it gets that signature frothy top, pour it into a pitcher, and keep it in the fridge for the week. It holds up for a full seven days without separating. If you’re serving it at a party, give it a quick re-blend right before so your guests get the froth.

You can serve this chilled, over ice, or warmed on the stovetop. I prefer it cold with a dusting of fresh nutmeg, but my family likes it warm after dinner during the holidays. For a spiked version, rum is the obvious choice, but I’ve also tested it with vodka and both work. If you’re skipping the alcohol entirely, I bump the vanilla to 1.5 teaspoons and add a little extra nutmeg to keep the flavor from going flat.

This pairs well with other low-carb holiday drinks if you’re building a spread. I usually set out a batch of this alongside my keto hot chocolate and keto white hot chocolate so people can pick their favorite. Add a peppermint white hot chocolate and you’ve got a full drink bar without a single gram of sugar.

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Dairy Free Eggnog

4.4 (5) Prep 5m Total 5m 6 servings

Ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Combine the ingredients

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until well combined and slightly frothy.

ingredients for eggnog in a blender
2
Serve it

Serve chilled, over ice or warm. Top with additional nutmeg and cinnamon.

blended eggnog in a blender
Nutrition Per Serving
123 Calories
9.3g Fat
1.2g Protein
2.1g Net Carbs
12.1g Total Carbs
6 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Dairy Free Eggnog

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this eggnog actually vegan?

Yes. I designed this keto dairy free eggnog to be completely vegan. There are no eggs, no dairy, and no animal products. The creaminess comes entirely from the nut milk blend. I've served it to vegan friends without mentioning it was keto, and they just thought it was regular eggnog.

Can I freeze this eggnog?

I freeze it all the time. Pour it into freezer-safe containers with about an inch of headroom, and it keeps for up to 3 months. When I'm ready to use it, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and give it a quick re-blend. The froth comes back about 80% of the way, and the flavor is exactly the same.

What can I use instead of rum to keep the depth of flavor?

I've tested this a few times, and my fix is simple: bump the vanilla from 1 teaspoon to 1.5 teaspoons and add an extra pinch of nutmeg. The rum adds warmth more than actual sweetness, so leaning into the spices gets you close. I make every non-alcoholic batch this way now.

Can I make this nut-free or coconut-free?

I haven't tested a fully nut-free version myself, but if you need to skip the tree nut milks, oat milk or hemp milk would be my first choices for the base. For coconut-free, I'd use all macadamia milk or a macadamia-almond split. The coconut adds body, so you might find the texture a little thinner without it.

How many net carbs are in a serving?

My batch comes out to about 1-2g net carbs per serving when I use unsweetened nut milks and ChocZero sugar-free maple syrup. The exact count depends on your milk brands, but I've never had a batch come out above 2g. I track mine every time I make it.

Can I use just one type of nut milk instead of three?

You can, but I've tested it and the results are different. All-almond tastes noticeably thinner and a little chalky. All-coconut is too heavy and covers up the spices. If I had to pick just one, I'd go with macadamia nut milk. It's the closest to the creaminess of the full blend on its own.

How do I serve this warm?

I warm mine on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it's steaming but not boiling. Boiling changes the texture and can make it separate. It usually takes about 5 minutes. I top it with a fresh grating of nutmeg right before serving. If you like warm holiday drinks, my keto hot chocolate is another favorite.

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Dairy-Free Eggnog (No Eggs Either)

tall mug of eggnog with a cinnamon stick

This dairy free eggnog is both egg-free and vegan, which means you’re skipping every ingredient that makes traditional eggnog a problem for most people. No tempering eggs, no worrying about raw egg safety, no dairy reactions. I use a blend of macadamia nut milk, almond milk, and coconut milk to build the creaminess that eggs and heavy cream usually provide. The result is a frothy, spiced drink that my family genuinely can’t tell apart from the original.

Serve it hot or cold, spiked or straight. I keep a pitcher in the fridge starting the first week of December, and it’s usually gone by Wednesday. If you’ve made my classic keto eggnog, think of this as the version you can hand to anyone at the table.

looking down on a glass of eggnog

Which Nut Milks Work Best

I recommend the three-milk combination (macadamia, almond, and coconut) because I’ve tested it against single-milk versions and the difference is obvious. All-almond eggnog tastes thin and slightly chalky. All-coconut is too heavy and overwhelms the spices. The blend splits the difference: macadamia brings a buttery smoothness, coconut adds the body, and almond lightens everything up. That said, this is completely customizable. You can use three cups of whatever nut milk you have on hand.

three mason jars containing nut milks

I’ve tested this with the three milks above, but you can swap in whatever you prefer. The key is using unsweetened versions so you control the sweetness yourself. Here are some I’ve tried or had readers report back on:

  • Cashew milk (creamier than almond, good swap)
  • Pili nut milk (mild flavor, blends well)
  • Hemp milk (slightly earthy, works if you like that)

Choosing Your Sweetener

pouring maple syrup

I use sugar-free maple syrup as the sweetener here because it adds a warm, caramel-like depth that straight erythritol can’t match. My go-to is ChocZero Maple Syrup, which is also sugar alcohol free. If you have a sensitivity to sugar alcohols, this recipe works for you.

No sugar-free maple syrup? I’ve also made this with a blend of erythritol and monkfruit, which is my favorite dry sweetener combo. Start with 2 tablespoons and taste, then add more. The spices do a lot of the heavy lifting, so you might need less than you think.

Spiked or Straight

I’m all about celebrating during the holidays, so I spike mine with rum. Vodka works too if you want less flavor from the alcohol itself. Pour in about 6 ounces for the full batch and blend it right in with everything else.

If you’re skipping the alcohol (for a work party, a morning batch, or just because), I’ve found the flavor can go a little flat without it. My fix: bump the vanilla from 1 teaspoon to 1.5 teaspoons and add an extra pinch of nutmeg. The rum adds warmth more than sweetness, so leaning harder on the spices gets you close. I picked this up after a reader asked about it, tested it myself, and it’s how I make every non-spiked batch now. For another holiday drink idea, try my keto peppermint white mocha.

a frothy glass of eggnog with a cinnamon stick on top

How to Get That Frothy Texture

I tested this in both a blender and a food processor, and the difference was clear. The blender gives you that light, airy froth on top that makes eggnog feel like eggnog. The food processor just spins everything around without incorporating enough air. Use a blender.

If you’re making a batch ahead of time, combine all the ingredients and store it in the fridge, then give it another 15-second blend right before serving. That re-blend brings the froth back and makes it taste freshly made.

eggnog stored in a mason jar

Storage and Freezing

I store this in a sealed pitcher or mason jars in the fridge, and it stays good for up to 7 days. The spices actually meld together more after a day or two, so I think it tastes better on day two than day one.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. I pour it into freezer-safe containers and leave an inch of headroom. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then re-blend before serving to bring back the texture. The froth won’t be quite as tall after freezing, but the flavor stays the same. This is how I handle last-minute holiday gatherings. For another make-ahead cold drink, try my frozen hot chocolate.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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  1. R
    Ryan K. Mar 9, 2026

    Making this for Easter brunch for about 20 people, so I'd need to quadruple it. Does everything scale straight across, or does the coconut milk get weird at that volume? Don't want to buy everything and have it turn out off.

  2. A
    Amy Mar 3, 2026

    Made this Sunday for my dad, who's been missing eggnog since going dairy-free. He took a sip, went quiet, then asked what brand I bought. When I told him I made it, he couldn't believe it. Macadamia nut milk does something here that almond milk never could.

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Mar 3, 2026

      'What brand is this' is the best possible outcome. Your dad landed on exactly why I blend three milks instead of just one.

  3. Q
    Quinn Feb 28, 2026

    I'm not usually a from-scratch drinks person, but the ingredient list looked manageable so I figured I'd try it. That coconut milk is what makes it feel rich, which caught me off guard. Four stars for now, mostly because I wasn't sure how long to blend it. Does it get creamier the longer you blend, or is there a point where you can overdo it?

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Feb 28, 2026

      Yeah, you can overdo it. I stop around 45 seconds. Past that it goes frothy, not creamy, and you lose that richness from the coconut milk.

  4. M
    Min K. Feb 26, 2026

    Brought this to a get-together last Friday and didn't say a word about the macadamia milk until someone was reading the carton trying to figure out why it tasted so good.

  5. T
    Tasha Feb 23, 2026

    I have made SO many keto eggnog attempts since going low-carb and most of them taste like sweetened coconut milk with a sprinkle of nutmeg. This one is different. Something about the macadamia nut milk changes everything, it has this creaminess that the almond-only versions just don't have. I made a batch last weekend, served it warm with a little extra nutmeg on top, and it actually had that thick, heavy mouthfeel I remember from the real stuff. The sugar-free maple syrup was a smart call too, it doesn't have that artificial aftertaste I always get with other sweeteners in eggnog. My one note is go easy on the rum if you're making it in the afternoon (learned that one the fun way). Four stars because nothing fully replaces the original for nostalgia's sake, but for a cold February night this is exactly what I wanted.

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Feb 24, 2026

      Ha, the afternoon timing is a real thing. And yeah, macadamia is what gives it that weight. All-almond batches taste noticeably thinner.

  6. A
    Amanda Feb 16, 2026

    I made this last weekend with the rum and it was great, but I'm making a second batch for a work thing tomorrow and can't add alcohol. Does leaving it out make it taste flat or is there something else I should add to keep that depth?

    1. Annie Lampella
      Annie Lampella Feb 18, 2026

      It can taste a little flat without it, yeah. Extra vanilla helps (go to 1.5 teaspoons), and bump the nutmeg up just a bit. The rum adds warmth more than sweetness, so leaning on spices is the closest you'll get.

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