There is half a carton of eggnog left from the party, and the holidays feel a long time ago. Eggnog is a milk, cream and egg drink, so it doesn’t behave like soda or juice. It has a short refrigerator window, rules about freezing, and a few myths about what alcohol can do.
Does eggnog go bad?
The short answer: Yes. FoodSafety.gov’s chart gives commercial eggnog 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and homemade eggnog 2 to 4 days. Store-bought eggnog can be frozen for up to 6 months for best quality, but homemade should not be frozen. Check the date on the carton too.
For a complete pantry storage reference, see our Food Storage Guide.
Does Eggnog Go Bad: At a Glance
Store-bought (commercial), refrigerated
3 to 5 days, per FoodSafety.gov’s chart. Also check the date on the carton
Homemade, refrigerated
2 to 4 days, per FoodSafety.gov’s chart
Store-bought, frozen
Up to 6 months for best quality, per the chart. Some makers advise against freezing
Homemade, frozen
The chart says do not freeze
Almond milk and other non-dairy nog
Follow the carton. Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog’s listing says use within 7 days of opening and do not freeze
Out of the fridge
2 hours at most, or 1 hour above 90°F, per USDA
Sour smell, mold or a bulging carton
Throw it out
Key Takeaways
FoodSafety.gov’s chart gives commercial eggnog 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and homemade eggnog 2 to 4 days.
The chart doesn’t say whether the clock starts at purchase or at opening. Our rule: count from opening, and use the carton date and the chart window together, whichever comes first. Follow the carton’s own directions if they are stricter.
Store-bought eggnog can be frozen for up to 6 months for best quality, but homemade should not be frozen.
Non-dairy nogs have their own labels. Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog’s listing says use within 7 days of opening and do not freeze.
Alcohol doesn’t reliably keep eggnog safe. Utah State says it can inhibit bacterial growth but can’t be relied on to kill bacteria.
A normal look and smell doesn’t prove eggnog is safe, so the calendar matters more than your nose.
Why Eggnog Is Perishable, and Why the Eggs Matter
Eggnog is a milk, cream and egg drink, so it is handled more like a custard than like juice. Ohio State’s Chow Line column says store-bought eggnog can typically be expected to be pasteurized to eliminate Salmonella. Organic Valley’s eggnog page says its reduced-fat eggnog is ultra-pasteurized, “as is required by law in most states.” Not every product is the same, though: a Food Safety News editor’s note on a republished FDA column says some premixed eggnogs in refrigerated and frozen sections are not made with pasteurized eggs and have been linked to illnesses, so check the label. Pasteurization deals with what is in the carton on day one. It doesn’t turn eggnog into a pantry food, which is why even commercial eggnog gets a short window on the chart. Homemade eggnog has an extra issu
