Food

All Nogs Go to Heaven

Five Beautiful Ways to Eggnog. Yes, Eggnog.

Seductive. Mysterious. Seasonal. We just described eggnog in single-word sentences. And you’re about to learn some new ways to describe it, like “donut” and “cocktail I could share but am not legally obligated to.” Boston, this is eggnog five ways.

THE DONUT

Because You’ve Been Good This Year...

What It Is: A donut filled with eggnog Bavarian custard and tossed in nutmeg. It’s the real meaning of donut Christmas.
Pairs With: Peace on earth and good will toward men. Also, that grace period before New Year’s resolutions kick in.

THE CHOCOLATES

These Chocolates Are Like Eggnog Mules

What They Are: Miniature squares of Valrhona chocolate filled with a buttery ganache containing nutmeg and dark rum. The health benefits of chocolate: not really relevant here.
Pair With: An oversize stocking, a crackling fire and plates offered to a fictitious red-suited saint.

THE ICE CREAM

Eggnog Ice Cream in a Steakhouse

What It Is: A scoop of housemade nog ice cream surrounded by a Saturn-like ring of brandy caramel and topped with a crumbled oatmeal cookie. If you’re thinking “eggnog punch in ice cream form”... yes.
Pairs With: A 100-day-aged prime ribeye. Not for any particular reason. Just because it’s there.

THE PANNA COTTA

Someone Turned Eggnog into Panna Cotta

What It Is: Panna cotta made from Mei Mei’s house eggnog, accompanied by a slick of rum caramel and gingersnap crumble. You’ll get a whole cookie one of these days.
Pairs With: A glass of that aforementioned house nog. You’re not taking holiday spirit lightly this year.

THE COCKTAIL

It’s Meant to be Shared. It Should Be.

What It Is: One big batch of applejack, rye, allspice, maraschino, walnut liqueur, cream, a whole egg and nutmeg divided into two glasses. Because otherwise that’s too much stuff.
Pairs With: A date and a fire pit. Preferably at the same time.