Get Festive with Eggnog Cocktails, Desserts, and More This Season
Bourbon Eggnog at River Bar. / Photo provided
Just a few basic ingredients comprise the holiday season’s ultimate beverage—fresh eggs, cream, sugar, and usually, a dash of vanilla or nutmeg. Most adults agree that eggnog—and holiday parties—are improved with a spirited shot of something, though the distinctive flavor also lends itself well to seasonal pastries and desserts. Check out the most decadent cocktails, hot drinks, doughnuts, pie, and other sweet specials from restaurants around the city this month.
(Holiday pro-tip: Many establishments adjust their hours of operation during the holiday season, so if you need your ‘nog fix, consider calling ahead.)
Alcoholic
The Tom & Jerry at No. 9 Park. / Photo provided
Tom & Jerry at No. 9 Park
This classic grog has graced No. 9 Park’s seasonal cocktail menu since John Gertsen was behind the bar. If you pop in for holiday lunch before December 23, the nutmeg-dusted blend of fresh eggs, spices, warm milk, and rum might be just the thing you need before taking an afternoon twirl on the Frog Pond.
9 Park St., Boston; 617-742-9991 or no9park.com.
The Eggleston at Tres Gatos
Named for nearby Egleston Square, this festive libation mixes eggnog, Bulleit Rye Whiskey, rum, cinnamon shrub, and frothy egg whites.
470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-477-4851; tresgatosjp.com.
Eggnog Adult Frappe at Wahlburgers
A sweet and frothy blend of vanilla ice cream, eggnog, Baileys, bourbon, and crushed gingersnaps. It’s available at all Wahlburgers locations through January 31.
132 Brookline Ave., Boston and other locations; wahlburgersrestaurant.com.
Todd Maul’s eggnog at Cafe ArtScience. / Photo by Wayne Chinnock
Todd Maul’s Eggnog at Café ArtScience
There are many reasons to grab a seat at Café ArtScience partner and bar manager Todd Maul’s bar. This time of year, his old-school eggnog recipe is one of them, with its hand-whipped eggs, cream, and high-end rum and cognac. This year, he’s selling the mix to go, too. Sixteen ounce bottles are $10—just add booze. (In non-‘nog news, Maul’s clarified lime juice and pastry chef Renae Connolly’s chocolate bon bons are also for retail sale this season; inquire at the restaurant.)
650 E. Kendall St., Cambridge; 857-999-2193 or cafeartscience.com
The Perfect Espresso Eggnog Martini at the Beehive
A caffeine buzz comes with this eggnog in the form of double espresso vodka, and there’s eggnog, nutmeg, and a dash of bitters.
541 Tremont St., Boston; 617-423-0069 or beehiveboston.com.
Eggnog at River Bar
Rum, brandy, and allspice dram spike this Assembly Square bar’s ‘nog, made with cream, eggs, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
661 Assembly Row, Somerville; 617-616-5561 or river-bar.com.
Italian Eggnog Martini at Antico Forno
A caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon rim and a maraschino cherry garnish this Disaronno and vanilla vodka-spiked eggnog.
93 Salem St., North End, Boston; 617-723-6733 or anticofornoboston.com.
Eggnog Milkshake at Rosebud. / Photo provided
Eggnog Milkshake at Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
Rosebud harkens back to its diner car roots with a venerable boozy milkshake program. This seasonal offering uses Henry McKenna Bourbon.
381 Summer St., Somerville; 617-629-9500 or rosebudkitchen.com.
Nonalcoholic
Eggnog Latte at Bloc 11, Diesel, and Forge Baking Company
An eggnog latte in the morning is guaranteed cheer all day. Jennifer Park and Tucker Lewis’ trio of Somerville’s cafés all offer Intelligentsia Coffee’s luxuriously sweet Black Cat Espresso with High Lawn Farm eggnog in December.
Bloc: 11 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville; 617-623-0000 or bloc11.com.
Forge: 626A Somerville Ave., Somerville; 617-764-5365 or forgebakingco.com.
Diesel: 257 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville; 617-629-8717 or diesel-cafe.com.
Eggnog Crème Caramel at Cook
This seasonal flan is made with brown butter shortbread.
825 Washington St., Newton; 617-964-2665 or cooknewton.com.
Eggnog Pie at Rosebud. / Photo provided
Rosebud Eggnog Latte Pie
No time to bake before the holiday party? An eggnog latte pie is a sweet and sassy contribution to the dessert spread. Order by December 22 to pick up on Christmas Eve. Or, enjoy a piece a la mode before you head home for the holidays.
381 Summer St., Davis Square, Somerville; 617-629-9500 or rosebudkitchen.com.
Eggnog Minis at Blackbird Doughnuts
The South End shop has full-sized, eggnog-frosted raised doughnuts this season, too.
492 Tremont St., Boston; 617-482-9000 or blackbirddoughnuts.com.
Eggnog Doughnut at Kane’s
Dipped in the classic company’s honey glaze, this fluffy round is made with real eggnog, fresh ground nutmeg, and a splash of rum. It’s available in Saugus and Boston throughout December.
Kane’s Handcrafted: Two International Place, 90 Oliver St., Boston; 857-317-2654 or kaneshandcrafted.com.
Kane’s Donuts: 120 Lincoln Ave., Saugus; 781-233-8499 or kanesdonuts.com.
Eggnog Bavarian Cream Filled Doughnut at Union Square Doughnuts
Just a few more hours to order holiday treats from Union Square Donuts, which include stollen stuffed with rum-soaked fruit; chocolate cinnamon or brown butter apple pudding cakes; and doughnut dough dinner rolls (!). But this plump eggnog treat is sticking around to make breakfast merry throughout December.
20 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville; 617-209-2257 or unionsquaredonuts.com.
Taza Chocolate’s Spiked Eggnog Mexicano disc and the Chocolate Bar’s eggnog hot chocolate. / Photo provided
Taza Chocolate Spiked Eggnog Mexicano discs
For the person who puts a dash of eggnog in their hot chocolate: Taza’s fruity, 55 percent Dominican dark chocolate surrounds a creamy center spiked with Caribbean rum. Or, try the Somerville company’s Chocolate Eggnog at its Chocolate Bar inside the Boston Public Market.
Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston; tazachocolate.com.
