We Tried 8 Store-bought Eggnogs To Find The Best One To Sip This Christmas

It’s that time of year where you stroll past the dairy section at the grocery store and the eggnog catches your eye. Since eggnog is a seasonal item that only comes around once a year, you may not be sure exactly what brand to buy.

To solve this dilemma, we gathered our editors for a blind taste test to find the best store-bought eggnog. Whether you always purchase eggnog so you can enjoy it by the glass or need to purchase it to use as a part of a recipe that uses eggnog, we’re sharing the best eggnog to buy this holiday season.

How We Tested

We purchased eight different cartons of eggnog from a variety of grocery store chains. Some brands have more than one type of eggnog and were represented more than once in the test.

Each of the eggnogs was numbered and poured into tasting cups so editors could taste and review each one without seeing any of the packaging. During the blind taste test, editors ranked each eggnog on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. They then selected an overall winner.

The Contenders

• Shamrock Farms Eggnog
• Southern Comfort Traditional Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog
• Favorite Day Light Egg Nog
• Favorite Day Egg Nog
• Publix Original Eggnog
• Greenwise Eggnog
• Publix Lowfat Eggnog
• Chobani Oat Drink Oat Nog

How Each Eggnog Scored

Shamrock Farms Vanilla Spice Eggnog

Many editors liked this eggnog for its cinnamon-forward flavor. Though many said that it doesn’t necessarily have the flavor of a traditional eggnog, they noted that it was very drinkable. It was also ranked as the overall favorite by several editors. 

Southern Comfort Traditional Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog

This eggnog was another that was among the favorites of the testers, especially for the most traditional flavor. “Nice consistency and good spice,” was how one editor described it. Another said  it was “very creamy, not too sweet, and has a good spice level.”

Favorite Day Light Egg Nog

Editors in the test seemed pretty neutral on this eggnog, with an average score of 2.5 out of 5. Several editors noted that they liked the consistency of this eggnog but nothing else notable was mentioned by testers and it seemed to be in the middle of the pack.

Favorite Day Egg Nog

Editors didn’t share anything notable or particularly positive about this eggnog. Most seemed to be neutral on it, but would prefer other options. Overall, testers noted that it was a little thin and bland, lacking the true eggnog flavor. 

Publix Original Eggnog

Before even tasting this eggnog, most editors noted that it was much more yellow in color than the others in the test and one noted that the spices were visible. “Ooh, I like the spice in this one,” shared one editor. “It feels dimensional to me." Another editor described it as “very classic store-bought eggnog,” 

Greenwise Eggnog

Reviewers noted that this eggnog was very thick and creamy. “Very sweet, nearly boiled custard which is why I like it,” shared one editor. Though it was very creamy, it was lighter in color and some noted that though it was good, it lacked a true eggnog flavor. 

Publix Lowfat Eggnog

Editors noted that this eggnog was the sweetest of the bunch. “This tastes like the eggnog I grew up with,” shared one editor. “It’s sweet with a subtle spice.” Another described it as “a lovely custard with a hint of cinnamon.”

Chobani Oat Drink Oat Nog

The first thing testers noticed about this drink was that it was lacking a yellow flavor and was much thinner than some of the other eggnogs in the test, which makes sense since it's a dairy-free nog option. Editors agreed that it has a flavor that reminded them of cinnamon milk and was a completely different type of drink than traditional eggnog.

The Winner

Publix Original Eggnog

Overall, the editors who participated in the taste test chose Publix’s Original Eggnog as the best store-bought eggnog. Its classic eggnog flavor without being overly sweet won over the testers. “It’s the most well-rounded,” said one editor. Another described it as the “closest to homemade.”

Runner Up: Shamrock Farms Vanilla Spice Eggnog

The balanced mix of vanilla and cinnamon in this eggnog won over many editors. Though many noted that it wasn’t a traditional eggnog, they enjoyed the flavor and said they would purchase this eggnog and would enjoy sipping a glass.