The holiday season is here, and with it comes cold weather, Santa suits, Christmas trees, snowballs, snowmen, carols, and more. If you’re one of the many who have already started thinking about beverages to serve at your holiday party, don’t forget eggnog. Eggnog is a classic drink that transcends traditional holiday libations by being something everyone can enjoy. There are many ways to prepare it. You can also make homemade eggnog since store-bought eggnog has only trace amounts of eggs or cream in it. 

When it comes to the best rum for eggnog, you want something rich and full-bodied (but not dark) that will complement the eggs, cream, and spice flavors. We recommend aged or dark rums rather than silver or gold for maximum flavor. Notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus are all great flavors to go with this drink. In this article, we’ll share with you our top favorite best rums to make eggnog. 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EGGNOG

Eggnog's exact ancestry is unknown. However, it may be traced back to England, where it first appeared more than a century ago. The drink was served in little wooden mugs called "noggins," which were named after the small wooden mugs in which it was served. Initially, in England, the drink was nonalcoholic and heated and served in this manner for many years.

When American colonists started drinking it in the 1700s, they started adding rum, which was not highly taxed like brandy or wine was.

By the 1800s, numerous generations had grown up drinking eggnog, and it had gone from a wintertime drink to a holiday treat.

Brugal 1888 Ron Gran Reserva Familiar Rum 

A blend of rums aged for up to 12 years and finished in Sherry casks, this naturally dark amber color, bold aroma, and rich flavored 1888 Rum is designed to appeal to the adult in all of us. Its rich, complex flavor--with hints of coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon--is guaranteed to make it a memorable addition to special occasions like family celebrations and holiday parties. 

The nose is layered with chocolate, dried apricots, and coffee – caramel, vanilla, and then spicy pepperiness from oak. It's an easy drinker with a smooth finish that’s a perfect addition to any eggnog.

Santa Teresa 1796 Solera Rum

Have you been naughty or nice? If Santa was ever in your stocking, he would have left you Santa Teresa 1796 Solera—the nicest of rums for Christmas. The rum is a blend of rums aged up to 35 years made using the solera process (the oldest rums from the bottom row are transferred to the middle rows, and the youngest from each row are poured into the next). It is a flavor-packed rum with notes of sweets, dark chocolate, pepper, and buttery biscuits.

The flavor is complex and sweet, with enticing rummy elements—definitely one for the Christmas party season.

Plantation Original Dark Rum

Plantation Original Dark Rum is dark rum at its finest. The rum has a deep amber/gold color and is aged 5-8 years in charred bourbon barrels. The taste of this rum calls to mind the holidays, with strong hints of spice cake, pecan roll, vanilla buttercream, and rich molasses. Then the taste quickly turns to Christmas citrus fruitcake, ripe banana muffins, and spicy pumpkin pie. It finishes with warm spicy eggnog on the back end. This rum would make a great Christmas present for any liquor connoisseur you know or to serve during your holiday parties.

Denizen 8 Year Old Merchant's Reserve Rum

The perfect holiday dram is upon you. You deserve something that isn’t necessarily age-worthy or a keeper for the collection, but something enjoyable nonetheless. That’s where Denizen’s Merchants Reserve comes in, with its bold age statement that doesn’t compromise quality. It’s good ol’ fun in a bottle, with an array of aromas and flavors that suit any occasion. Carefully matured in fresh American Bourbon casks, it develops an aroma of oak, leather, and spices. Smell the oak, spice, prune, and vanilla notes that are balanced by the lighter tropical fruit flavors for a rum that is perfect for sipping straight or mixed into cocktails – especially eggnog!

SelvaRey Chocolate Rum 

For the holidays, this chocolate-filled bottle will go great with eggnog (if you can find a bar that carries it). SelvaRey is a 5-year-old rum aged in bourbon barrels and infused with natural chocolate. When you taste it, you'll see that this 5-year-old rum infused with natural chocolate flavor will make your cocktails extra special in no time. So if you're looking for something different this holiday season to add a little twist to your typical drinks (whether straight up or in a cocktail), or if you just want to keep the party flowing this holiday season while also spreading holiday cheer, one cocktail at a time, then you'll definitely want to try SelvaRey Chocolate Rum.

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

He was a world-renowned tattoo artist in the 1930s, but don’t let that scare you because Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is very delicious. The bottle encasing his own recipe is simple and masculine with a touch of whimsy. It is amber in color and will make your nose happy with hints of vanilla, nutmeg, spices, and cherry on the nose. The spiced rum has an elevated proof and is distilled with hints of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon to create a sweet taste – with a kick! Good enough to drink neat or on ice or use in your favorite holiday eggnog.

MAKING THE PERFECT EGGNOG

A little more work is required compared to most cocktails, but the end product is well worth it. In order to make a traditional Christmas drink, you'll need the following:

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 Egg yolks
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon to top
• 2 cups of milk
• A pinch of salt

Steps:

1. First, whip the egg yolks and sugar together until they're light in color, then fold in the flour.
2. Add the milk, cream, salt, and nutmeg to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for a few minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Whisk in a bit of heated milk. Add the other ingredients one spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition. The eggs are tempered by this method.
4. To thicken the mixture a bit more, whisk it again for a few more minutes after adding milk.
5. Remove it from the heat and add the vanilla.
6. Refrigerate the eggnog after putting it in the serving container of your choice. As it cools, it will solidify even more. Add extra milk to a blender to make the mixture thinner.
7. To serve, top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon.

NOTE: These proportions provide numerous servings, which you can refrigerate for up to a week. You can make changes as needed to fit your requirements.