Can you drink eggnog while pregnant?
Check firstStore-bought eggnog is safe during pregnancy: it is pasteurized and alcohol-free. Homemade eggnog made with raw eggs, or spiked with rum, is the version to skip.
Why
Commercial carton eggnog in the US is pasteurized as a finished product, which handles the Salmonella question raw eggs raise, and it is sold without alcohol; that combination makes the grocery-store version a safe holiday treat. Traditional homemade nog fails on both counts: raw whipped eggs, which FDA pregnancy guidance says to avoid unless pasteurized, and a pour of rum or bourbon, when no amount of alcohol is considered safe in pregnancy. Homemade works if you cook the custard base to 160 F or use pasteurized eggs, and hold the liquor.
Safer alternatives
- Carton eggnog from the dairy case, served cold or warm
- Homemade nog from a cooked 160 F custard base
- A vanilla steamer with nutmeg for the flavor without the eggs
Sources
- FDA (foodsafety.gov) https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink the eggnog at a holiday party?
Ask two questions: is it homemade, and is it spiked? Carton nog with no alcohol is a yes. A punch bowl of family-recipe nog with rum is a no on both counts, and nobody minds pouring you the carton version instead.
How do I make pregnancy-safe eggnog at home?
Cook the milk, sugar and egg mixture gently to 160 F, stirring until it coats a spoon, then chill: that is a custard base, and it is both safe and noticeably silkier. Pasteurized shell eggs or carton egg product work as a shortcut.
Does rum extract or flavoring count as alcohol?
A teaspoon of extract in a whole batch contributes a trace that largely disperses and evaporates; it is not comparable to a shot of rum. If you prefer zero, nutmeg and vanilla carry the flavor fine.
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