Most years we like to make up a batch of eggnog – usually from Jeffrey Morgenthaler or Alton Brown’s recipes – late in the fall, so that it’s at peak flavor come the end of the year.
But this year flew by, and we just plum missed our window. So here we are on Christmas Eve, family looming, no nog to be had, and we’re faced with a dilemma: what to serve that captures the same rich, creamy flavors as a good homemade eggnog?
Fortunately, there are a myriad of single-serving, on-demand eggnog recipes that are nearly as good as the real thing, and we’ve catalogued the best of those that we’ve found and tested into Cocktail Party, and picked out our personal favorites here. Nogs are closely related to both milk punches and flips, and we’ve included some bangers from that category as well.
Eggnogs
Our favorite nog to whip up on the spot these days is the Cabin Fever Cure, which marries two types of rum with Bénédictine and brown sugar. If you like a bit of mint in yours, you’ve got plenty of options, from the Peppermint Bark Eggnog with peppermint schnapps, to the San Francisco Nog and the Noggin Knocker, both of which call for Fernet Branca. If fruitcake flavors like cherries, orange, and spices are more your speed, give the Trick Nog a try. And if you prefer your eggnog in slushie form, look no further than Nog Nog Noggin’ on Heaven’s Door.
Milk Punches
An eggnog is essentially a milk punch; nowadays some recipes eschew the egg, but historically many milk punches did include yolks or whole eggs. The classic 18th-century Milk Punch is hard to beat; try the Bourbon Milk Punch or the Caribbean Milk Punch for variations with different base spirits. The Rum Cow is a slightly more complex version, with spice flavors from bitters and spiced rum that make it perfect for the holiday season. Meanwhile, the Bee’s Kiss is a little more pared-down, with just three ingredients.
No milk? If you happen to have horchata on hand (or are willing to make it), and it’s the good, thick stuff, you can whip up a drink that may scratch the nog itch. Café Arroz adds tequila and coffee liqueur to the cinnamon spice of the horchata, while the Fireside takes things in a smokier direction with a mezcal and walnut bitters.
Flips
Flips are a godsend for the lactose-intolerant among us – all of the calories of an eggnog, with none of the dairy! You can’t go wrong with a Rum Flip or a Brandy Flip, but this time of year, we really like the festivity of the Spiced Nog Flip. The Pit Stop Flip is a little more autumnal, with its apple and maple flavors, but it’s still a lovely thing to sip on a deep winter night. Our favorite flip, though, might just be the Secret Catch. With its Pedro Ximenez sherry, spices, eggs and dairy, it taste’s like Grandma’s oatmeal raisin cookies in a glass (but with a kick, thanks to the aged cachaça).
