For just a few sweet and short weeks every year, eggnog appears on store shelves and cafe menus.
Though it can be one of theunhealthiest holiday drinks, it remains a widely beloved and time-honored indulgence.
Of course, eggnog is not your typical beverage.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Some might consider it more of a dessert.
Cream and milk are enriched with egg yolks to make a decidedly rich, decadent, and delicious drink.
I tasted five of the most common eggnog brands from the grocery store.
Photo: Lizzy Briskin. Design: Eat This, Not That!
A carton cost me $3.99.
The look:This eggnog had a markedly thicker, denser texture than the others.
The color is a pale off-white with a slight yellowish hue.
Photo: Lizzy Briskin. Design: Eat This, Not That!
The taste:This is an extremely decadent and creamy eggnog.
It’s thicker and less pourable than the others, and the texture is bordering on overly thickened.
It’s also super sweet without much nuance in flavor from nutmeg or vanilla.
Photo: Lizzy Briskin. Design: Eat This, Not That!
This eggnog is likely designed to be spiked with Southern Comfort, which could be an improvement.
It’s sweetened with sugar and treated with yellow 5 and 6 and red 40 food dyes.
A carton cost me $3.99.
Photo: Lizzy Briskin. Design: Eat This, Not That!
The look:Those food colorings are working hard in this eggnog.
The taste:This eggnog was less flavorful than the others.
A carton cost me $4.29.
Photo: Lizzy Briskin. Design: Eat This, Not That!
The look:This eggnog doesn’t appear very eggy at first glance.
It has a pure, uniform white color, like slightly thicker milk.
It has a fresh white color with just the slightest twinge of yellow.
The taste:This eggnog tastes like melted vanilla ice cream or a milkshake.
It’s perfectly sweet with a lovely vanilla flavor.
It’s not too dense or thick, but still tastes like a treat.
I like that this drink is lighter than others.
It’s lower in fat and contains slightly less sugar, which makes it all the more drinkable.
OV eggnog is made from organic ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup.
The look:This is the most speckled eggnog in the bunch.
It’s full of natural flecks of nutmeg, and possibly vanilla.
The taste:I love the fresh, natural flavor of this eggnog.
It’s very nutmeg-forward and has a cozy, warming flavor perfect for the holidays.
Why TrustEat This, Not That!
