Does Eggnog Need to Be Refrigerated? Store-Bought vs Homemade

By Better Living | Created at 2026-10-15 18:24:49 | Updated at 2026-10-15 23:31:52 6 hours ago

Eggnog shows up in cartons, in punch bowls and in pitchers on the porch, so it’s easy to forget it’s a milk, cream and egg drink. That mix is why the answer isn’t as relaxed as it is for a bottle of soda, and why store-bought and homemade eggnog aren’t quite the same question.

Does eggnog need to be refrigerated?

The short answer: Yes. Store-bought eggnog is sold refrigerated and should stay that way, and homemade eggnog should be made with a cooked base or pasteurized eggs and kept refrigerated. Neither should sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Alcohol doesn’t replace refrigeration.

For a complete pantry storage reference, see our Food Storage Guide.

📋 Does Eggnog Need to Be Refrigerated: At a Glance

Store-bought eggnog	Yes, keep it refrigerated. Organic Valley’s page says “Keep refrigerated”
Homemade eggnog	Yes, and chill it promptly. Utah State’s recipe says to cover and chill 4 to 24 hours before serving
Almond milk and other non-dairy nog	Check the carton. Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog is listed as a refrigerated almond milk, and its listing says keep refrigerated
Out of the fridge	2 hours at most, or 1 hour above 90°F, per USDA
Adding alcohol	Doesn’t replace refrigeration, per Utah State
Overnight on the counter, porch or garage	Discard it. Refrigerating it afterward doesn’t undo time at room temperature

Key Takeaways

Store-bought and homemade eggnog both belong in the refrigerator, and neither should sit out for more than 2 hours.
Store-bought eggnog is typically pasteurized, according to Ohio State. Homemade eggnog is only as safe as the eggs and the cooking.
FDA and USDA recommend cooking the egg base to 160°F even when you use pasteurized eggs, per Ohio State. Some extension guidance treats pasteurized egg product as not needing further cooking.
Alcohol can inhibit bacterial growth but can’t be relied on to kill bacteria, so it doesn’t replace the refrigerator.
Non-dairy nogs follow their own labels. Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog is listed as a refrigerated almond milk, and its listing says to keep it refrigerated.
A porch, garage or car trunk isn’t a refrigerator. A cooler with ice is the better stand-in.

Why the Egg Base Matters More Than the Carton
Ohio State’s Chow Line column, citing FoodSafety.gov, says homemade eggnog should be made with a cooked egg base. The base should be gently cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F while stirring constantly, then chilled before it goes into the milk and other ingredients. It adds that even when you use pasteurized eggs or egg substitute, “both FDA and USDA recommend that you still cook the egg base mixture.” Some extension guidance goes the other way. Utah State’s recipe skips the cooking step when you use pasteurized egg product, and a Food Safety News summary of University of Minnesota Extension guidance reports that using a pasteurized product means no further cooking is necessary. Cooking is the more cautious route, and it is needed for raw eggs. Store-bought eggnog is typically pasteurized, but check the label. Homemade eggnog isn’t, unless you do it, and refrigeration only slows bacteria that are already there.

Which Eggnog Needs the Refrigerator?

Start with where the eggnog came from, because the sources treat each one a little differently.

Eggnog Refrigerate it? What the sources say

Store-bought, refrigerated carton	Yes	Organic Valley: “Keep refrigerated.” FoodSafety.gov lists commercial eggnog at 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator
Almond milk and other non-dairy nog	Yes for Almond Breeze Nog; others follow the label	Blue Diamond lists Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog under refrigerated almondmilk. Califia Farms’ general FAQ: bottled products are perishable and must always be refrigerated, and cartons may be shelf stable until opened
Homemade, cooked egg base	Yes	FoodSafety.gov: homemade eggnog is 2 to 4 days in the refrigerator
Homemade, raw eggs	Yes, but the bigger problem is the eggs	Utah State: use pasteurized egg product in place of raw eggs
Eggnog spiked with alcohol	Yes	Utah State: alcohol can inhibit bacterial growth but can’t be relied on to kill bacteria
Leftover eggnog in a glass or punch bowl	Not once it’s been out 2 hours	USDA’s leftovers guidance: discard perishable food left out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F

Store-Bought vs Homemade: What’s Actually Different?

Store-bought Homemade

Eggs	Eggnog is typically pasteurized, per Ohio State. Check the label	Your choice. Utah State says to use pasteurized egg product in place of raw eggs
Heat treatment	Typically done at the factory. Organic Valley says its reduced-fat eggnog is ultra-pasteurized	You cook the base to 160°F, per FDA and USDA advice as reported by Ohio State
Refrigerator window	3 to 5 days, per FoodSafety.gov	2 to 4 days, per FoodSafety.gov
Freezer	Up to 6 months for best quality, though some makers advise against it	Do not freeze, per FoodSafety.gov
Date to follow	The carton date and the chart window	The day you made it

How Do You Chill Homemade Eggnog Safely?

Utah State says to cook and stir the egg mixture over medium heat for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, until it coats a metal spoon and reaches 160°F. Its note says to skip that step if you use pasteurized egg product. It then says to cover and chill the eggnog for 4 to 24 hours. That is the recipe’s chilling time, not a universal rule, and the eggnog has to stay refrigerated the whole time. Ohio State adds that the egg mixture should be chilled before it goes into the milk and other ingredients.

In our reading, the chilling time counts against the 2 to 4 days that FoodSafety.gov gives homemade eggnog. NC State notes that the cold temperature helps limit microorganism growth. Our tip, not a source’s: use a thermometer in the refrigerator, and aim for 40°F or below, the figure on FoodSafety.gov’s chart. Write the cooking date on the container, since the 2 to 4 days start there. Our guide to how long eggnog lasts has the full timeline.

How Do You Serve Eggnog at a Party Without Pushing the Clock?

USDA’s leftovers guidance says perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded, and that the limit drops to 1 hour when it’s over 90°F. Eggnog counts as perishable, so a bowl that sits through the whole party is on the clock the whole time.

The same guidance suggests keeping food cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice, or by using small serving trays and replacing them often. Our tips, not a source’s: keep most of the batch in the refrigerator, refill a small serving bowl from it when it runs low, and write down the time when you set it out. When the 2 hours are up, pour out what’s left. Don’t top off an old bowl with fresh eggnog, because the older portion is still on its original clock.

Does Adding Alcohol Replace Refrigeration?

No. Utah State says adding alcohol will inhibit bacterial growth but can’t be relied upon to kill bacteria, and that once the alcohol is diluted it no longer effectively kills bacteria. Eggnog is mostly milk, cream and eggs, so the alcohol is diluted by design. Treat a spiked batch like an unspiked one: same refrigerator, same 2 hour limit, same windows. We cover the spirits themselves in our guides to rum, brandy and whiskey.

Can Eggnog Sit on the Porch or in the Garage?

Penn State Extension says the temperature in Pennsylvania can fluctuate above and below 40°F day to day or overnight. It adds that there can be a significant difference between sun and shade, and that wild animals and pets may be attracted to the smell of food. Its advice is that the best bet is to store perishable food in the refrigerator and monitor the temperature so it stays below 40°F.

That applies to a pitcher on the back porch in December, a garage fridge you haven’t checked, or a trunk during a drive to a party. If your refrigerator is full, a cooler with ice or ice packs is a better stand-in than outdoor air, as long as the eggnog stays at 40°F or below. Our tip: check it with a thermometer.

What About Store-Bought and Dairy-Free Nog?

Most conventional dairy eggnog is sold from the refrigerated case, and Organic Valley says “Keep refrigerated” and to use it by the date stamped on top. Bring it home and put it in the refrigerator promptly. If it spent more than 2 hours in a warm car or on the counter, or more than 1 hour when it was above 90°F, the same rule applies, and we would discard it.

Almond milk and other non-dairy nogs vary, so read the carton. Blue Diamond lists Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog under “Refrigerated Almondmilk,” and Hannaford’s online listing for it shows “Shake well. Keep refrigerated. Do not freeze.” Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze storage FAQ says refrigerated Almond Breeze is perishable and will spoil if not refrigerated. It says to keep it at 35 to 41°F in the middle of the refrigerator, because the door is the warmest spot. That page doesn’t mention Nog, so treat it as general brand guidance.

Califia Farms says bottled products are perishable and must always be refrigerated, and that carton products may be shelf stable and can be left unrefrigerated before opening. It gives no Holiday Nog storage details, so read the label. Once opened, plan on days, not weeks: the Almond Breeze Nog listing says 7 days, and Califia says 7 to 10. Our non-dairy milk guide covers the category.

When to Throw the Eggnog Out

It sat out for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), including time in a punch bowl.
It was left on the counter, porch or in a garage overnight.
It smells sour, looks curdled or has mold.
You can’t remember how long it was out. When in doubt, discard it.

This checklist is ours. Eggnog can be unsafe without any visible change, so the clock matters more than how it looks. If it passes the time test, how long eggnog lasts tells you how many days you have left.

Normal Changes After Refrigeration

A thicker, heavier pour straight from the cold.
Nutmeg and other spice drifting to the bottom, which a stir fixes.
A light foam after shaking.

Quick Storage Reference

Store-bought: Keep refrigerated, use by the carton date.
Homemade: Cook the base to 160°F, chill it, and keep it refrigerated.
Out of the refrigerator: 2 hours total, or 1 hour above 90°F.
With alcohol: Same rules as without it.
No refrigerator space: Use a cooler with ice, not a porch or garage.

Situation What to Do

Just brought a carton home from the store	Put it in the refrigerator promptly.
Made a batch for Saturday	Cook the base, chill it, keep it refrigerated until you serve.
Eggnog on the buffet for an hour	Within the 2 hour limit. Put what’s left back in the refrigerator soon.
Eggnog on the buffet all evening	Over 2 hours. Discard what’s left in the bowl.
Left on the counter overnight	Discard it.
Cooling on the porch in winter	Move it to the refrigerator. You can’t control the temperature outside.
Bringing eggnog to a party	Keep it in a cooler with ice or ice packs.
Plant-based nog in a shelf-stable carton	Follow the label. Once opened, refrigerate it.

How We Checked This
In October 2026 we read FoodSafety.gov’s cold food storage chart, USDA’s leftovers guidance, and extension guidance from Utah State, Ohio State, NC State and Penn State. We also read storage pages from Organic Valley, Califia Farms and Blue Diamond, plus a Hannaford product listing for Almond Breeze Almond milk Nog. Where sources disagree, such as on cooking with pasteurized eggs, we say so. We have not tested any eggnog ourselves. Where a source gives no number, we say so and don’t invent one. Suggestions marked as ours are practical tips and not source guidance.

Eggnog Refrigeration FAQ

Does eggnog need to be refrigerated?

Yes, both store-bought and homemade. Organic Valley’s page says “Keep refrigerated,” and FoodSafety.gov lists eggnog refrigerator windows of 3 to 5 days for commercial and 2 to 4 days for homemade.

Does store-bought eggnog need to be refrigerated?

Conventional dairy eggnog does, in the refrigerated case and at home. Shelf-stable and plant-based nogs can differ, so follow the label.

Does homemade eggnog need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Cook the egg base to 160°F, chill it, and keep it refrigerated. Utah State’s recipe says to chill it 4 to 24 hours before serving.

Can eggnog sit out overnight?

No. Overnight is far past the 2 hour limit in USDA’s leftovers guidance. Throw it out.

How long can eggnog sit out?

2 hours at most, or 1 hour above 90°F.

Does eggnog with alcohol need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Utah State says alcohol can’t be relied on to kill bacteria, so it works as a flavor, not a safeguard.

Is store-bought eggnog cooked?

It is typically pasteurized, according to Ohio State, which means it has been heat treated. Organic Valley says its reduced-fat eggnog is ultra-pasteurized. Not every product is the same, so check the label.

Do you have to cook homemade eggnog?

FDA and USDA recommend cooking the egg base to 160°F even when you use pasteurized eggs, according to Ohio State. Other extension guidance differs: Utah State’s recipe skips the cooking step with pasteurized egg product. With raw eggs, cooking is needed. Cooking is the more cautious route.

Can you keep eggnog on the porch or in the garage?

We wouldn’t. Penn State Extension says outdoor temperatures can swing above and below 40°F and that animals can be drawn to food. Use the refrigerator or a cooler with ice.

Can you leave eggnog in a punch bowl all night?

No. Set out a small amount, nest the bowl in ice, and discard what’s left after 2 hours. USDA suggests small serving trays that you replace often.

Does almond milk eggnog need to be refrigerated?

Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog does. Blue Diamond lists it as a refrigerated almondmilk, and Hannaford’s listing shows “Keep refrigerated” and “Use within 7 days of opening.” Other brands vary, so check the carton.

Does plant-based or dairy-free nog need to be refrigerated?

It depends on the brand. Califia Farms says bottled products are perishable and must always be refrigerated, while cartons may be shelf stable until opened. Check the label.

How long does eggnog last in the refrigerator?

FoodSafety.gov gives commercial eggnog 3 to 5 days and homemade 2 to 4 days. Read the full breakdown in our guide to how long eggnog lasts.

Can you freeze eggnog?

Usually only store-bought, and only for quality reasons. See our guide to how long eggnog lasts for the freezer limits.

Does the egg in eggnog need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Utah State notes that even refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can carry Salmonella. See our guide to whether eggs need to be refrigerated.