Eggnog is a rich, creamy holiday drink made with eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a staple at Christmas parties and a delicious way to get into the holiday spirit.
But how much eggnog should you plan to serve per person? Here are some tips to make sure you have plenty of festive eggnog to go around.
Factors That Determine Eggnog Consumption
How much eggnog each guest will drink can vary quite a bit based on these factors:
- Age – Kids may only take a small cup, while adults are more likely to have seconds.
- Gender – Men may drink more than women on average.
- Appetite – Some people have heartier appetites overall and may drink more.
- Preference – Eggnog fans will consume more than those who just take a polite cup.
- Alcohol – Adding rum or brandy makes eggnog even tastier to some.
- Portion sizes – Small cups around 4 ounces mean more refills.
- Snacks – Heavy apps and sweets may curb eggnog consumption.
- Timing – Serving it with dessert may increase intake.
With so many variables, the best way to estimate is to calculate a range based on your specific party.
Calculate Eggnog Consumption
Here are some tips for calculating how much eggnog to serve per person:
- Count the number of guests who will drink eggnog – don’t include young children who won’t have any.
- Estimate what portion of your adult guests will consume eggnog – likely 50-90%.
- Determine the serving size you’ll use – 4 to 8 oz cups or mugs are typical.
- Factor in the number of servings each person may have – often 2-3 per person.
- Add a 10-20% overage as a buffer so you don’t run out.
Let’s look at a sample scenario:
- 25 guests total attending
- 20 adults who will drink eggnog
- Using 6 oz mug servings
- Estimating 2 servings per person on average
- Adding 10% overage
The math would be:
- 20 adults x 2 servings each = 40 servings
- 40 servings x 6 oz each = 240 oz or 15 cups total
- Add 10% overage: 15 cups x 1.1 = 16.5 cups
So for this scenario, you’d want to make at least 16-17 cups of eggnog.
Standard Serving Sizes
Here are some typical eggnog serving sizes to use when estimating:
| Serving Vessel | Ounces per Serving |
|---|---|
| Small cup | 4 oz |
| Medium cup | 6-8 oz |
| Large mug | 10-12 oz |
| Punch bowl and cups | 4-6 oz |
The serving size influences how much eggnog people will consume. Generally, smaller cups lead to more refills.
Eggnog Drink Calculators
To take the guesswork out, you can use an online eggnog drink calculator:
- Eggnog Calculator from The Spruce Eats – Enter number of servings and portion size to get total quantity needed.
- Christmas Beverage Calculator from Food Network – Choose eggnog and input your party details.
- Basic Drink Calculator from Chowhound – Adjust eggnog servings for your party size.
These calculators remove the guesswork and math for you. Just plug in your party details and serving sizes and it tells you how much eggnog to make or buy!
Factors To Consider
When using an eggnog calculator or doing the math yourself, consider these factors:
- Kids – Reduce headcount if young kids won’t imbibe.
- cups – Small cups mean more refills.
- Heavy eaters – Increase portions for heartier appetites.
- Day parties – Afternoon events may warrant less.
- Adults-only – They’ll likely drink more than families.
- Filling food – Lots of food can reduce intake.
- Alcohol – Spiked eggnog increases consumption.
Think about your own party and adjust the calculations up or down accordingly. It’s better to have extra than to run out!
How Much Eggnog Per Bottle?
If you’re buying eggnog from the store versus making it from scratch, here’s a guide to how many servings or cups are in each bottle size:
| Bottle Size | Total Ounces | 4 oz Servings | 8 oz Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quart | 32 | 8 | 4 |
| Half Gallon | 64 | 16 | 8 |
| Gallon | 128 | 32 | 16 |
A quart contains 8 servings of 4 ounces each or 4 servings of 8 ounces. Scaling up to half gallons and gallons, you can see how many servings are in each bottle size based on your planned serving size. This can help determine how many bottles to buy.
Leftover Eggnog
You may have leftover eggnog even after using a drink calculator and buying multiple bottles. Here’s what to do with the extras:
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
- Use as the liquid in holiday French toast or pancakes.
- Blend with ice for a frothy eggnog milkshake.
- Mix into coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Drizzle over slices of cranberry orange bread or bundt cake.
- Stir into oatmeal or chia seed pudding for extra richness.
Getting creative with leftovers lets you enjoy every last drop of that creamy, seasonal eggnog!
Conclusion
Estimating eggnog for a party takes some planning, but a drink calculator simplifies the process. Consider your guest size, demographics, serving vessel, and other factors. Allow for extra as it’s better to have too much than run out. And if you have leftovers, get creative in using it up – every last bit of that holiday goodness!