Cook Out Eggnog Milkshake: Season, Price, Taste and Best Pairings

This site is an unofficial fan guide and is not affiliated with Cook Out. Menus, prices and seasonal timing vary by location, so check the board at your local store. For every flavor, see our Cook Out milkshake menu.

Cook Out eggnog milkshake at a glance

When does the eggnog shake come back?

Cook Out does not publish a national calendar for seasonal shakes, and each restaurant changes its board on its own schedule. Food writers who track the chain describe eggnog as a December flavor; Allrecipes covered its return in mid-December 2025. In practice, most fans start seeing it in early to mid-December, and it is usually gone shortly after New Year's Day.

A few tips for finding it:

• Look at the menu board, not an app. Cook Out mainly sells through drive-thru and walk-up windows, and seasonal flavors appear on the physical board or a window sign first.
• Ask at the window. If you do not see it, ask. Some stores add seasonal flavors before they update their signs.
• Try a second location. Two stores in the same town may not switch flavors on the same day.
• Do not count on delivery. Cook Out has limited delivery coverage. Our Cook Out delivery page explains what to expect.

If you are heading out on a holiday, check our Cook Out holiday hours first, because some stores close or shorten hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What does it taste like?

Cook Out shakes are known for being very thick, and the eggnog version is no exception. Think of a rich vanilla shake blended with the flavor of holiday eggnog: sweet, creamy and custard-like, with nutmeg on the finish. It is milder than a store-bought carton of eggnog and much colder, of course, so even people who are not sure about eggnog often enjoy it.

The flavor is sweet, so it pairs best with salty or savory food. Let it sit for a minute or two before you try the straw; a spoon is the faster option at first.

How much does it cost?

Seasonal shakes are generally priced like the rest of the fancy shake line. On this site, both the Fresh Eggnog and Peppermint shakes are listed at $3.99, based on Southeast store prices verified July 31, 2026. Prices change by state and store, so treat that as a guide. Our price methodology page explains how we collect and check prices, and the Cook Out menu with prices guide covers the full menu.

The best value is usually to add a shake to a Cook Out Tray instead of a soft drink. Many stores let you swap the drink for a milkshake for a small upcharge, which makes a full holiday meal very affordable.

Eggnog vs Peppermint: which holiday shake?

Cook Out's other well-known cold-weather flavor is Peppermint. It tends to show up in the colder months too, but timing varies even more by location than eggnog, so check your local board.

Can't choose? Many fans order one of each to share, or ask whether their store can blend a peppermint and chocolate combination. Our milkshake ranking explains how each flavor stacks up against year-round favorites.

Best food pairings

A sweet, creamy shake works best with something salty, smoky or spicy. These Cook Out orders are great matches:

1. A Cook Out Style burger. Mustard, chili, slaw and onion cut through the richness of eggnog. See our burger styles explained.
2. BBQ plate or sandwich. North Carolina-style barbecue and a sweet shake is a classic Southern combo. Try the BBQ sandwich.
3. Cajun chicken. Spicy Cajun seasoning and cool eggnog balance each other well.
4. Hushpuppies and fries. Salty sides make every sip taste sweeter. See the full Cook Out sides.
5. Spicy chicken sandwich. Heat plus cream is hard to beat.

To build a full meal, try our tray builder or read the best Cook Out Tray combinations.

Holiday ordering tips

• Go off-peak. December evenings and weekends get busy. Mid-afternoon visits are usually faster.
• Order shakes for a group at the start. Thick shakes take a little longer to make, so order them early in a big order.
• Ask for an extra spoon. Very thick shakes are easier to share with a spoon.
• Keep it cold on the drive. If you are taking shakes home, eat the hot food first; the shake will soften to sipping texture by the time you finish.
• Check allergens. Shakes contain milk, and eggnog flavoring may contain other allergens. See our Cook Out allergen guide and confirm with staff.
• Mind the hours. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, many stores close early. Check our holiday hours guide before you go.

Ordering for a holiday party

Bringing shakes to a family gathering or office party? A few practical notes help:

• Call ahead or go early. A large shake order takes time at a busy window. Ordering before the evening rush keeps the line moving.
• Mix the flavors. Get a few eggnog, a few peppermint and a few classics like chocolate and vanilla, so everyone finds something they like.
• Use a cooler bag. Shakes travel better in an insulated bag, and they will still be thick after a short drive.
• Add food in trays. Trays keep the order simple and cheap for a crowd. For larger events, see our Cook Out catering guide.

Other cold-weather favorites

If your store has not started the holiday flavors yet, these year-round shakes are good stand-ins:

• Banana Pudding for a dessert-like, vanilla-wafer taste.
• Peach Cobbler for warm baked-fruit flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Mint for a minty fix when Peppermint is not available; see Chocolate Chip Mint.
• Caramel or Heath Toffee for a rich, buttery treat.

Use our milkshake mixer to try combinations before you order.

Is it worth ordering?

If you like holiday flavors, yes. A seasonal shake costs about the same as a regular fancy shake, and it is only around for a few weeks a year, which is part of the appeal. It is also a good pick for people who find plain vanilla too simple but do not want a heavy candy mix-in. If you dislike nutmeg or very sweet desserts, start with a smaller order or share one with someone else first.

An eggnog-style shake at home

When the seasonal flavor is gone, you can make something similar at home. This is our own simple version, not Cook Out's recipe:

1. Add 3 big scoops of vanilla ice cream to a blender.
2. Pour in about half a cup of store-bought eggnog (use a non-alcoholic kind).
3. Add a pinch of ground nutmeg and a small pinch of cinnamon.
4. Blend briefly, just until smooth. Over-blending makes it thin.
5. Pour into a tall glass, dust with a little more nutmeg and serve with a spoon and a straw.

For a thicker shake, use less eggnog. For a peppermint twist, crush a candy cane on top.

A short history of Cook Out shakes

Cook Out opened in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989 and is famous for more than 40 hand-spun milkshake flavors. Seasonal shakes such as pumpkin in the fall and eggnog in winter give regulars a reason to check the board each season. Our Cook Out history tells the full story of how the chain grew across the Southeast.