Updated September 2026 by Lydia Martin
Ready-to-drink eggnog is a genuinely good product category and a confusingly labeled one. Strengths range from roughly 7% to 15% ABV, the spirit blends differ substantially, and published ABV figures frequently disagree between retailers.
Here is what is actually in the bottles, with the label as the authority.
The two that matter
Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog — 14.75% ABV (29.5 proof)
The strongest and most complex of the mainstream options. Made with real dairy cream and whole eggs, and — unusually — three spirits: rum, brandy and blended whiskey. That blend is the reason it tastes layered rather than one-note, and it mirrors the historical multi-spirit approach.
It is seasonal, released only around the holidays, with a limited shelf life. If you like it, buy it when you see it.
Evan Williams Original Southern Egg Nog — 30 proof (15% ABV)
Bourbon-based, made with Evan Williams whiskey and real dairy cream, with rum and brandy also in the ingredient list. Crème brûlée and nutmeg on the nose, and a sweet, smoky bourbon finish.
A labeling note worth having. The bottle is designated 30 proof, which is 15% ABV. Several major retailers list it as 19% ABV, and at least one guide states 7%. Those figures are mutually incompatible. The proof designation printed on the label is the authority, so treat 15% as correct and disregard the rest. This is a good general habit with seasonal products, where retailer databases are often populated once and never corrected.
The rest of the shelf
Kirkland Signature Egg Nog Liqueur. Costco's own label, sold in large format. Consistently good value if you are serving a crowd.
Christian Brothers Holiday Nog. Brandy-based, which puts it closer to the drink's original form than any bourbon version.
Old New England Egg Nog. A long-standing regional product, mostly found in the Northeast.
Fireball and other flavored-whiskey nogs. Cinnamon-forward and considerably sweeter. A different product aimed at a different drinker.
RTD single-serve nog cocktails. Convenient, generally sweeter, and usually lower ABV.
Looking beyond the eggnog aisle
Several traditions produce the same drink under different names, and some are better than the American versions:
Advocaat — Dutch, made from egg yolks, sugar and brandy, typically 14–20% ABV. Thicker than eggnog, closer to a custard. The basis of a Snowball.
Coquito — Puerto Rican, built on rum and coconut milk rather than dairy cream. Distinct enough to be its own drink.
Rompope — Mexican, egg and spice based, usually rum-fortified.
Ponche crema — Venezuelan and Trinidadian, similar in construction.
If you like eggnog, the Dutch and Latin American versions are worth seeking out and they are often easier to find year-round.
Ready-to-drink versus spiking your own
Buy ready-to-drink if you want convenience and consistency, or you are serving a crowd and don't want to be measuring. The good ones are genuinely good.
Spike a carton if you want control. Buy a quality dairy eggnog and add your own spirit — this is the best value approach by a wide margin, and it lets you set the strength and pick the spirit. The proof rule still applies: use something at 100 proof, roughly 1½ oz per cup.
Make it from scratch if you want the best version. Nothing bottled matches fresh eggnog with properly whipped yolks and fresh-grated nutmeg.
How to serve the bottled stuff better
Chill it hard. These are cream products and they are markedly better cold.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the glass. Thirty seconds of effort, and it lifts a bottled product substantially.
Add a half-ounce of spirit. Most RTD nogs sit around 14–15% ABV, which is wine strength. A little aged rum or bonded bourbon adds both depth and structure.
Refrigerate after opening and finish within the window on the label. These contain real dairy.
More in our Bar Basics.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strongest store-bought alcoholic eggnog?
Pennsylvania Dutch at 14.75% ABV is the strongest of the mainstream options.
What ABV is Evan Williams eggnog?
The label designates 30 proof, which is 15% ABV. Some retailer listings state other figures; the label is the authority.
Does bottled alcoholic eggnog need refrigeration?
Yes, after opening. These are real dairy products.
Is store-bought spiked eggnog any good?
The better ones are genuinely good. Pennsylvania Dutch in particular benefits from using three spirits rather than one.
Can you add more alcohol to store-bought eggnog?
Yes, and it usually improves it. A half-ounce of aged rum or 100-proof bourbon per glass adds depth without making it harsh.
How long does alcoholic eggnog last?
These are seasonal products with dated shelf lives. Follow the label, refrigerate after opening, and do not assume the alcohol makes them indefinitely stable.
What is advocaat?
A Dutch egg liqueur made from egg yolks, sugar and brandy, typically 14–20% ABV. Thicker than eggnog and closer to custard.
Preferring to spike a carton yourself? Start with the best bourbon for eggnog rules on proof and pour size.
Sources and method
ABVs reflect the proof designations printed on product labels; where retailer listings conflict with the label, the label is treated as authoritative. Ingredient information reflects published product listings. No prices or ratings are invented on this page.