Holiday Eggnog White Russian

Looking for the solid holiday dessert cocktail? This easy Eggnog White Russian swaps cream or milk for velvety eggnog, creating a rich and festive twist on the classic White Russian. It's a simple, yet elegant drink for holiday parties or cozy winter nights at home by the fire.

Close-up of a white Russian cocktail with star anise and cinnamon stick on top.

What sets this eggnog White Russian apart is the balance of flavors. Sure, it has the obvious suspects (vodka, coffee liqueur, and eggnog), but it's the splash of brewed coffee (or coffee bitters) that balances out this cocktail.

If you want a holiday drink that's indulgent without being fussy (one that tastes like a coffee latte met a winter dessert), then this Eggnog White Russian belongs on your seasonal cocktail lineup!

Key ingredients and substitutions

Four ingredients!

Close up of an eggnog White Russian drink in a clear glass garnished with coffee beans.

Vodka. Plain or vanilla flavored.
Coffee liqueur. Kahlúa is a popular brand.
Eggnog. Pure, alcohol-free eggnog or homemade. See tips below for choosing the best eggnog.
Coffee or coffee bitters. This will intensify the coffee flavor, without having to add more coffee liqueur (which will make it too sweet).
Ice. If you can get your hands on large ice cubes, even better. One big cube melts slowly, so your drink stays creamy and flavorful, not watered down.

Full ingredient list can be found in the recipe card below.

Step-by-step instructions

Most White Russians are built by layering the ingredients in a glass over ice and stirring, but don't dismiss the good old shake-and-pour method. It produces a creamy and less watered-down cocktail.

Step 1. Add ice to a glass. Pour in vodka.

Coffee liqueur being pored into a clear glass.

Step 2. Add coffee liqueur and bitters.

Step 3. Pour in eggnog.

An eggnog white Russian in a clear class with a stirrer in it.

Step 4. Stir until well blended.

*These are abbreviated instructions. The full list of directions can be found in the recipe card below.

Expert tips for choosing the best eggnog

Choose a pure, classic eggnog . Look for ingredients such as milk or cream, sugar, egg yolks, and warm spices. Borden and Turkey Hill are common brands in the United States.
Avoid additives when possible. Skip brands that rely heavily on thickeners, artificial flavors or colors, and high-fructose corn syrup. These can taste overly sweet and "fake".
Look for alcohol-free eggnog. Many eggnogs come prepared with alcohol. Look for plain, alcohol-free eggnog.
Make your own. Homemade is always best, so if you have a favorite eggnog recipe, now is the time to use it!

Swaps

Oh, here's your time to get creative!

Caramel eggnog White Russian. Drizzle caramel in the glass and add ½ oz caramel syrup.
Gingerbread eggnog White Russian. Add ½ oz gingerbread syrup or a pinch of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Eggnog ice cream. Replace the eggnog with our festive eggnog ice cream for an indulgent version
Non-alcoholic version. Use non-alcoholic coffee liqueur and zero-proof vodka alternatives, or replace the spirits with an extra shot of brewed coffee.

White Russian in a clear glass on a gold tray.

Garnish suggestions

So you made this fabulous cocktail? Now let's make it LOOK fabulous!

Shave some freshly grated nutmeg over the top. You can do the same with cinnamon (go easy, both can taste bitter if you overdo it).
Serve with a whole cinnamon stick. Bonus- it acts as a stirrer. If you want to get fancy pantsy- light that cinnamon stick on fire (like in this cocktail).
Garnish with whole star anise. Flavorful and so pretty!
Add a few whole coffee beans to the top.
Before pouring the drink, rim the tops of the glass with melted chocolate. You could also add red and green sprinkles to the chocolate. Place the glass in the fridge for a neater look.
If serving as a dessert cocktail, pair with a festive cookie. A gingerbread man would be solid.