What Does Eggnog Pair With?

Egg Yolks. Sugar. Milk. Cream. Tell me that doesn’t sound drinkable.

Yes, on the surface eggnog is…odd. Most of that is due to the sound of the word (name another word with three G’s ready, go), but a lot of the reason this drink is known for its uniqueness is for its commitment to a certain holiday.

Not many cocktails are associated only with one time of year (ever tried eggnog in July?), but that’s what makes this drink special. Its traditional marriage to the holiday season is also perfectly counterbalanced by its complete unwillingness to pair with just one type of food.

What eggnog connoisseurs will tell you is that this bold blend of eggs, cream, sugar, and holiday cheer can pair with plenty of foods you won’t find at this year’s holiday party. Here are just a few examples…

Buffalo Wings

Nothing says Christmas like a plate of hot wings. Ok, maybe not. But in reality a spicy sauce actually balances quite nicely with the creaminess of eggnog to create a fairly decent pairing.

Just because you’ve never been to a party that has served both eggnog and buffalo wings doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. Is it weird to show up to someone’s house with your own wings, ready to dive into their eggnog? Yes. But you can still do it if you want.

Sushi

And you thought it couldn’t get weirder. Again, we’re trying to balance smooth cream with some kind of spice kick, so a spicy tuna roll is the ideal pick here. If you’re already embarrassed by the idea of bringing hot wings to a holiday party, then we’re not going to pretend you’re willing to bring sushi. Maybe try this one at home first.

Chocolate Cake

Ok, yes. A normal one. Here, you’re pairing sweet with sweet. Decadence with decadence. Dairy and chocolate should arguably replace peanut butter and jelly as the archetype for things that go well together. That’s how great this pairing is.

And while chocolate cake is at the top of the list of desserts that pair well with eggnog, you can’t go wrong with any sweet. Pumpkin pie and apple crumble are the next two on the list.

Hot Cheetos

We’re back. You let your guard down with chocolate cake, but yes, Cheetos should be your go-to eggnog snack. The cool, creamy eggnog provides the perfect counterbalance to the fiery spice of everyone’s favorite thing that’s flaming hot. Don’t be scared. It works.

Tequila

Who said alcohol doesn’t pair well with more alcohol? While we advise against sneaking your own tequila-filled flask into the holiday party to polish up your eggnog, this is a surprise recipe that some swear by.

For the record, rum, brand, and cognac are the most common alcohol ingredients to make eggnog with, and you could even make an argument for bourbon. Still, don’t knock tequila ‘til you try it. People say that’s how Mrs. Claus drinks it, but you didn’t hear that from us…

What can’t eggnog pair with?

That’s the better question. At the end of the day, eggnog is just ice cream in disguise, and ice cream goes great with everything. So, yes, these pairings are out there, and we won’t deny that some of them have their own risks (sushi is bold, we’re not afraid to admit that).

But you’ve had eggnog and cookies at every holiday party ever. Try something new this year. Also, let us know how it goes.