Time to loosen that waistband a notch or two, folks, because eggnog season is here. Of course, our local bartenders know how to do it up right. Even if you don’t like the idea of egg in your drink, we have a couple egg-free options.
The holiday season is in full boozy swing at Trick Dog with this year’s eggnog, the Egg Dog, created by Morgan Schick of Trick Dog and Jupiter Olympus. It’s a frothy mix of Appleton Estate Reserve, brandy, amontillado sherry, cream, egg, and of course, nutmeg. And how vintage and cute, it’s served in a Fire-King mug. 3010 20th Street (at Florida)
Venture into the back room of Dalva in the Mission for one of the city’s tastiest eggnogs. It's made with bourbon, Campari, maple, egg, allspice, cream, and coffee bitters. Ho ho ho! 3121 16th Street (at Valencia)
Jon Gasparini of Rye has concocted a doozy of an eggnog, which features (locally made!) Three Twins Dad's Cardamom Ice Cream, plus Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum, organic whole milk (you didn’t expect nonfat, did you?), egg, rosewater, and a little nutmeg and cardamom dust for garnish. 688 Geary (at Leavenworth)
If anyone could figure out how to get pisco into an eggnog, it would, of course, be Pisco. Their Pisco-Nog highlights Pisco Portón, heavy cream, vanilla, agave nectar, egg white, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with a cinnamon sugar rim on the martini glass for extra festive flavor. 1817 Market (at Pearl)
We mentioned this one once before, but we want to make sure you don’t miss the handcrafted and three-month-aged eggnog at the bar here (it’s a perfect pit stop in the midst of your holiday shopping). 221 Powell Street
Hog Island Oyster Co. (Ferry Building)
If the “egg” part of eggnog freaks you out a little, you may want to try the Goat Island Nog (an homage to the original name of Treasure Island)—created by bartender Rhachel Shaw—who has swapped out the egg for goat cheese. How very California! It also comes with Maker’s Mark bourbon, cold brew coffee, milk, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, Angostura bitters, and nutmeg in the mix. 1 Ferry Building, 11A.
Holiday Nog by Milkman
An egg-free version you can try at home is the vegan Holiday Nog by Milkman. This holiday spice-spiked, fresh-cracked coconut, and almond milk is fantastic on its own, but even better with some holiday cookies on the side. Available on Good Eggs and via delivery by Milkman.
Marcia Gagliardi is the founder of the weekly tablehopper e-column; subscribe and get more food news and gossip at tablehopper.com. Follow her on Twitter: @tablehopper.