Snowball vs Eggnog: What’s the Difference? Plus Three Festive Cocktail Recipes

Thursday 11th Dec 2025 |

Snowball vs Eggnog: What’s the Difference?

I had to laugh this evening — I actually found myself asking ChatGPT whether eggnog and Snowballs are the same thing. For years I assumed that custard-yellow bottle with the red writing was eggnog… because it looks like eggnog, and it’s yellow, and everyone wheels it out at Christmas.

But no. As it turns out, Warninks advocaat is what we use to make Snowballs — a proudly British Christmas cocktail that deserves more love — while eggnog is an entirely different creature. Once I discovered the truth, curiosity (and a quiet house — the husband is away) got the better of me, and I ended up raiding the liqueur cabinet to test a few festive concoctions. I always have a rogue bottle of Warninks, and I always have the desire to drink cocktails…

The results? Surprisingly delicious. But before we get into the drinks, let’s answer the key question…

So… What Is Warninks, Exactly?

Warninks Advocaat — the bright yellow liqueur with the unmistakable red label — is not eggnog at all. It’s actually a Dutch egg liqueur made from:

  • Egg yolks
  • Brandy
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla

It’s rich, thick, custardy and boozy — basically alcoholic dessert in a bottle.

Advocaat has been part of British Christmas traditions since the 1940s, which is why the Snowball cocktail became such a nostalgic classic. But importantly: advocaat is made with alcohol; eggnog is not necessarily. Eggnog is essentially a sweet milk-and-egg drink that may include rum or brandy, but it doesn’t come pre-boozed like advocaat.

And here’s the main difference in vibe:

  • Advocaat = thick, rich, custard-like liqueur
  • Eggnog = thinner, creamier, spiced holiday drink (American origin)

They’re cousins at best.

Recipe 1: The Classic Snowball Cocktail

Nothing tastes like British Christmas nostalgia quite like a Snowball. It’s sweet, fizzy, creamy and just a little bit retro — in the best way.

Ingredients

  • 100ml Advocaat (Warninks is the classic)
  • 100ml lemonade (sparkling) or (I prefer) bitter lemon
  • Squeeze of fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • Maraschino cherry (optional but iconic)

Method

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add the advocaat.
  3. Slowly pour in the lemonade — expect a little festive fizz.
  4. Add a squeeze of lime.
  5. Stir gently and garnish with a cherry.

Tastes like: Creamy custard meets lemonade sherbet.

Recipe 2: Traditional Homemade Eggnog

If the Snowball is British nostalgia, eggnog is its American cousin — silky, spiced and often served warm around the holidays.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 250ml whole milk
  • 120ml double cream
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 25–50ml rum, bourbon, or brandy (optional – non-negotiable at my house)

Method

  1. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick.
  2. Warm the milk gently in a saucepan.
  3. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking.
  4. Return everything to the pan and heat on low until it thickens slightly — do not boil.
  5. Stir in the cream, nutmeg, and vanilla.
  6. Add alcohol if you’re in a festive mood.

Tastes like: A warm, creamy hug in a mug.

Recipe 3: The Viral Dr Pepper Eggnog

This one is having its moment online — fizzy, sweet and oddly addictive, it’s got the nostalgia of a Coke Float going on, and I’m down!

dr pepper egg nog

Ingredients

  • 100ml eggnog
  • 100ml Dr Pepper
  • Ice
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Nutmeg or cinnamon

Method

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the eggnog.
  3. Slowly top with Dr Pepper — the fizz lightens the creaminess.
  4. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg if you’re feeling extra.

Tastes like: Cream soda meets Christmas custard.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Festive Drinks

So yes — Snowballs and eggnog are both creamy, both Christmassy and both delicious in their own ways… but they’re absolutely not the same thing.

Warninks advocaat is a boozy, custard-thick Dutch liqueur that gives the Snowball its trademark sweetness. Eggnog, on the other hand, is smoother, lighter and more spiced — and depending on where you grew up, it’s either a comforting holiday tradition or something you’ve only ever seen in American films.

And the Dr Pepper eggnog? That one proves festive drinks don’t need rules — just curiosity, a quiet evening, and a well-stocked cupboard, and that, my friends, is something I excel at.


Joanne Brook-Smith is a writer and editor with two decades of publishing experience. She launched Crave Magazine during the Covid period to create a fresh, inspiring space for food, travel and lifestyle content.