Where to find alcoholic eggnog

Eggnog, the festive drink that went from a medieval cold remedy to a holiday favorite, is back to thrill your taste buds. The creamy concoction is usually a mixture of egg yolks, fluffy whipped egg whites, rich milk, velvety cream, a hint of vanilla and a pinch of sugar with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top to a little more holiday magic.

The alcoholic part, which may be optional, can be rum, brandy, whiskey or bourbon.

When spiked with a little alcohol, you can call it a milk punch or an eggnog cocktail.

And the Denver spots serving it this season are getting creative with their mixology. Some even give their cocktails playful names like Jingle Balls Nog, Deez Nogs and Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.

Related: New at Family Jones Spirit House: Duck Fat-Washed Whiskey and Pickled Carrot Martinis

For example, the Room for Milly staff uses vanilla bean ice cream and half-and-half for its eggnog base and mixes it with its house spiced rum, Smith & Cross Jamaican rum and Cointreau, said Hunter Lindley, general manager. Using ice cream creates a softer texture and feels like a shake, he said.

Since the cocktail bar started serving the eggnog cocktail two weeks ago, it has used 10 gallons of ice.

Room for Milly, 1615 Platte St., serves the cocktail on a plate with cookies. “It gives it more of a milk and cookies for Santa vibe,” Lindley said.

So far he hasn’t asked his clients if they’re on the naughty or nice list, but he might start closer to the 25th.

Several holiday pop-up bars are serving eggnog cocktails, and some area restaurants and bars have also added this boozy holiday treat to their menus.

American elm

The neighborhood restaurant and bar located at 4132 West 38th Ave. is serving her secret eggnog recipe at her restaurant and is taking pre-orders on her American Elm Store website through December 20 for pickup on December 22-23.

Avantiki at Avanti Food & Beverage

The tiki-themed holiday pop-up at 3200 Pecos St. in Denver serves Deez Nogs, which mix egg yolks, sugar, heavy whipped cream, milk, nutmeg, l vanilla extract, a pinch of salt and spiced rum.

Death and Co.

Boozy eggnog has been a tradition at Death Co. bars for years.

The company also shares its eggnog recipe, which uses heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, sugar, bourbon, rum and Madeira, online for anyone with the patience and space to refrigerator to try it.

Denver Union Station

Pop-up cocktail lounge Miracle and Cooper Lounge at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., both serve eggnog cocktails.

The lower-tier Miracle offers the Jingle Balls Nog, which combines cognac, sherry cream, almond milk, egg, vanilla and nutmeg.

You can imbibe in style and enjoy Christmas Past, which mixes Holmes Cay Heritage rum, eggs, cream, sugar, orange and clove, upstairs in the Cooper Lounge.

The Jones Family Spiritual Home

The newly reopened LoHi Bar and Distillery at 3245 Osage St. is decorated for the holidays and serving its Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree cocktail. This cocktail blends creamy eggnog with Automatic Jones Rock & Rye and fresh cinnamon and is served with sugar-flocked rosemary and vanilla bean snow.

Lucina and Xiquita

Chef Diego Coconati celebrates his Puerto Rican heritage with a Coquita made with milk, coconut cream, rum, nutmeg and vanilla. The holiday concoction is served at Lucina, 2245 Kearney St. #101, and Xiquita, 500 E. 19th Ave.

Mercantile

Mercantile at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., highlights the expertise of local farmers and producers, and its seasonal eggnog is no exception. The simple but classic boozy eggnog cocktail called SANTA! I know him! is made with Appleton Signature Rum and premium eggnog from Bellvue-based Morning Fresh Dairy Farm, topped with cinnamon.

Odell’s Bagel

Odell’s Bagel, which primarily makes natural fermented and hand-rolled bagels, sells a bottled eggnog cocktail made daily on site. Customers can enjoy it at the store at 3200 Irving St. in Denver or take it home.

The bottled cocktail, designed for two, combines rum, bourbon, French cognac, pasture-raised eggs and local cream.

Poka Lola Social Club

The Winter Wonderland Poka La La La pop-up at 1850 Wazee St. is offering two eggnogs. The Poka Lola Abominable Snowman mixes Diplomatico Reserva rum, the house’s winter spice blend, cream and a whole egg. It also contains the Do You Wanna Build A Snowman alcohol-free Poka Lola which combines homemade winter spice blend, cream and a whole egg.

Sara Hansen is a freelance writer based in Denver.

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Originally published: December 6, 2024 at 6:35 a.m. MST