Eggnog Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/7/23
Tested by
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Tested by Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Two eggnog martinis, garnished with nutmeg and a whole cinnamon stick, on a gold tray with a small bowl of whole nutmeg

The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Get in the holiday spirit and mix up a delicious eggnog martini. This recipe is very simple—requiring just three ingredients—and it's ready in minutes. It's a fabulous addition to any Christmas party, quick enough to shake up for unexpected guests, and a festive way to drink your holiday eggnog.

Unlike most eggnog recipes, this version skips the dark spirits and rum and uses vanilla-flavored vodka instead. Amaretto adds a nice nutty sweetness that also gives it a more universal appeal. But the best part might be that it uses store-bought eggnog. While you can make eggnog from scratch, when the holidays are in full swing, you have to love the convenience of picking up a carton of eggnog at the store.

No Shaker? No Problem!

  • Handy But Not Crucial- A cocktail shaker is a great tool to have around to help create properly shaken drinks. But if you're an infrequent at-home mixologist, you can certainly get by without one.
  • Just a Jar Works- If you don't have a cocktail shaker, a jar with a tight-sealing lid will do in a pinch. Some people prefer Mason jars, though any medium-volume jar works.
  • Squeeky Clean- Make sure that your jar and lid are thoroughly cleaned so you don't contaminate your cocktails with residual flavors or smells.

Chilled Glassware

  • Plan ahead and use a well-chilled glass to serve this cocktail. This simple step will keep your creamy cocktail colder longer.


What you'll need to make this eggnog martini
Shot Glasses
A Shot Glass
Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set
A Cocktail Shaker
Libbey Vina Martini Glasses, 12-ounce, Set of 6
A Martini Glass

"It's hard to beat this eggnog martini if you're looking for a festive after-dinner drink. The amaretto adds just the right amount of sweetness, and it pairs nicely with a Christmas cookie. You can batch this cocktail in a pitcher for a party and shake a couple of servings at a time." —Laurel Randolph

eggnog martini tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

  • 1 ounce amaretto liqueur

  • 2 ounces eggnog

  • Ground nutmeg, for garnish

  • Cinnamon stick, for optional garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make an eggnog martini

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka, 1 ounce amaretto, and 2 ounces eggnog.

    A cocktail shaker filled with ice, and amaretto, vanilla vodka, and eggnog

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  3. Shake very well (at least 20 seconds).

    A hand shaking a cold cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and dust with ground nutmeg. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you wish. Serve and enjoy.

    An eggnog martini, topped with ground nutmeg and garnished with a cinnamon stick

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Rather than store-bought eggnog, it's easy to make eggnog from scratch.
  • You can also use store-bought or homemade vegan eggnog in this martini recipe.
  • Switch out the amaretto for Frangelico for a slightly different nutty flavor.
  • Go back to a traditional eggnog base liquor if you prefer one over vodka. This martini tastes great with brandy, rum, or whiskey and you can find vanilla-flavored versions of all three.
  • For a lighter martini with a different flavor profile, use cinnamon syrup as an amaretto substitute. Ginger syrup is another great option.
  • You can also dress up the martini by adding a cinnamon-sugar rim before straining the cocktail.

How Strong Is an Eggnog Martini?

This martini is lighter than most. In fact, it's about the same strength as a glass of wine, weighing in around 15 percent ABV (30 proof). That's due to the high volume of nonalcoholic eggnog and the fact that most vanilla vodkas are bottled at 70 proof rather than the standard 80 proof.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
262 Calories
3g Fat
19g Carbs
3g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 262
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 38mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 84mg 6%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 118mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)