How Long Does Eggnog Last?
Store-bought eggnog lasts 3–5 days in the fridge once opened and can be frozen for about 6 months. Homemade eggnog keeps 2–4 days and should not be frozen.
Eggnog — opened
shelf life- Homemade: 2–4 days in the fridge
- Unopened: 1 week in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Eggnog is a rich holiday drink of milk, cream, sugar, eggs and nutmeg. Store-bought cartons are pasteurized, which makes them safe to drink straight from the carton but no longer-lasting than other opened dairy. Traditional homemade eggnog uses raw eggs and carries a real Salmonella risk unless the egg base is cooked or pasteurized eggs are used.
How to store eggnog
- Keep the carton at the back of the fridge between pours, and at parties serve eggnog from a small pitcher or a punch bowl nested in ice.
- For homemade eggnog, cook the egg, milk and sugar base gently to 160°F (71°C), then chill it quickly in an ice bath before adding cream.
- Freeze store-bought eggnog in a freezer container with an inch of headspace; thaw it in the fridge and shake or blend it, as it separates.
- Use up leftover eggnog within its window in French toast, pancakes, bread pudding or coffee in place of creamer.
- Discard whatever is left in a punch bowl that has been out for more than 2 hours rather than pouring it back into the carton.
How to tell if eggnog has gone bad
- A sour, tangy smell instead of sweet cream, vanilla and nutmeg.
- Lumps or a curdled, clotted texture that remains after shaking. Eggnog is thick, but it should be smooth.
- A color change from creamy pale yellow to a darker yellow, beige or gray tone.
- A swollen carton, fizzing, or a sour, bitter taste.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Eggnog shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 3–5 days | 6 months | Not safe |
| Commercial pasteurized eggnog. | |||
| Homemade | 2–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Made with a cooked egg base heated to 160°F (71°C), or with pasteurized eggs. | |||
| Unopened | 1 week | 6 months | Not safe |
| Refrigerated cartons: use by the printed date. Shelf-stable canned or bottled eggnog stores in the pantry until opened. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does eggnog last after opening?
Store-bought eggnog lasts 3–5 days in the fridge after opening, per USDA guidance. Some cartons suggest up to a week; the shorter figure is the cautious one. Homemade eggnog is good for 2–4 days. Keep both at 40°F (4°C) or colder and never leave them out past 2 hours.
Does the alcohol in eggnog kill Salmonella?
Not reliably. FDA advises that adding alcohol to eggnog cannot be counted on to kill bacteria from raw eggs. For safe homemade eggnog, cook the egg base to 160°F (71°C) or use pasteurized eggs or pasteurized liquid egg product, regardless of how much rum, bourbon or brandy goes in.
Can you freeze eggnog?
Yes, commercial eggnog freezes for about 6 months at best quality. Leave headspace because it expands. After thawing in the refrigerator it looks separated and slightly grainy, so shake or blend it. It is good for baking and cooking. Freezing homemade eggnog is not recommended.
Is unopened eggnog good after the sell-by date?
A sealed, refrigerated carton may be fine for a few days past its sell-by date if it has stayed consistently cold, but eggnog is a short-lived seasonal dairy product and there is little margin. Open it, check for sour smell, lumps and off color, and once opened use it within 3–5 days.
Is store-bought eggnog safe during pregnancy?
Commercial, pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog is generally considered safe because both the eggs and the dairy have been heat-treated. Homemade eggnog made with raw, unpasteurized eggs should be avoided in pregnancy, as should any version with alcohol. Check the carton for the word pasteurized.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Opened |
1 week | 3 months | Not safe |
| Heavy Cream Opened |
10 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Eggs Raw |
3–5 weeks | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Liquid Egg Whites Opened |
3 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Irish Cream Liqueur Opened |
6 months | Not recommended | 6 months |
| Whipped Cream Opened |
3–4 weeks | Not recommended | Not safe |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.