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11 Eggnogs That Dramatically Improve Holiday Cheer in Los Angeles

Traditional eggnog isn't that easy to come by in the City of Angels. Here's 11 takes on the festive cocktail that will get your sleigh bells ringing.

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Pumpkin spice and cinnamon cocktails run rampant in LA, but what can be considered the ultimate holiday libation, eggnog, is actually a little elusive. Maybe it's the raw eggs or thick, stomach-coating consistency that turn revelers and barkeepers away, but a few restaurants and bars in LA have found ways to make the old school Christmas concoction a little more approachable for holiday drinkers. Whether it's made tropical with coconut milk, vegan with nut bases, or just downright boozy, here's a list of 11 eggnogs in the city that will have you rockin' around the Christmas tree.

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The Greyhound Bar & Grill

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For The Greyhound's first winter in Highland Park, the neighborhood bar is serving up their boozy take on the traditional recipe. A base of spice and barley-infused, oak-aged Anchor "Christmas Spirit" whiskey is combined with Park Cognac, Coruba Dark Jamaican Rum, and Four Roses Bourbon. This no-frills nog focuses on the complexity of the spirits rather than additional flavors or toppings. The cocktail is intended to be aged, so expect to see vintage eggnog in winters to come.

Bartender Brynn Smith’s egg cream drink, while not strictly an eggnog, has all the elements of the festive libation. Sotto’s The Real Thing blends Fernet Branca, cream, whole eggs, evaporated cane sugar, Mexican Coca Cola, and Angostura Bitters for an innovative take on the rich drink.

Ray's & Stark Bar

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Throughout the month of December, Ray’s & Stark Bar will offer their Three Spirit Nog as a part of their new late-night Scrooge Menu, with dishes inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The traditional eggnog is laced with bourbon, brandy, and dark rum, and is offered daily from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Hinoki & The Bird

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While we’re still not sure what Kuniko Yagi’s departure will do to the beloved Century City dining destination, Head Bartender Brandyn Tepper is still mixing up some pretty stellar cocktails. Take his spin on eggnog, spiked with tequila, mezcal, and Amontillado Sherry, and spiced with allspice, cinnamon and star anise.

Of course Los Angeles would find a way to make rich eggnog wholesome and vegan. A healthy, non-alcoholic version of the Christmas classic can be found at Kye’s, and is a blend of pecans, soaked cashews, dates, almond milk, and spices.

Mohawk Bend

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While Mohawk Bend also ditches the egg and cream for housemade almond nog to make their eggnog vegan, their Naughty Nog is decidedly alcoholic. The almond base is spiked with Malahat Spiced Rum, and is served over rocks with fresh grated nutmeg.

Harlowe

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Ringing in the holidays with a twist on tradition, this West Hollywood drinking den combines El Dorado 12 yr Rum, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, egg, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Angostura bitters to make their Ye Old Nog.

Gracias Madre

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Gracias Madre’s Beverage Director Jason Eisner brings a vegan take to eggnog with his "Not Your Madre's Nog." The sweet and spicy beverage blends coconut milk, vegan caramel agave, his proprietary masala chai blend, homemade chocolate bitters, and a healthy dose of smoky mezcal.

Sassafras

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Sassafras’ Holiday in the Sun is a variation of the classic Puerto Rican holiday cocktail, the Coquito. Sassafras’s tropical take on eggnog combines Cruzan Aged Light Rum, cane syrup, coconut milk, evaporated milk, cinnamon, vanilla bean, egg yolk, and lime.

TART’s Naughty or Nice Nog takes cinnamon brandy and mixes it with a dash of whiskey bitters, maple syrup, and eggnog. The cocktail is served in a snifter and can be enjoyed while cozying up to the fire pit on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. [Photo: TART]

Cafe Del Rey

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Café del Rey offers guests a true Christmas in LA with their Dogsled Nog, comprised of Buffalo Trace White Dog sour mash whiskey, fresh eggnog, and nutmeg that can be enjoyed with the restaurant’s harbor views.

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The Greyhound Bar & Grill

For The Greyhound's first winter in Highland Park, the neighborhood bar is serving up their boozy take on the traditional recipe. A base of spice and barley-infused, oak-aged Anchor "Christmas Spirit" whiskey is combined with Park Cognac, Coruba Dark Jamaican Rum, and Four Roses Bourbon. This no-frills nog focuses on the complexity of the spirits rather than additional flavors or toppings. The cocktail is intended to be aged, so expect to see vintage eggnog in winters to come.

Sotto

Bartender Brynn Smith’s egg cream drink, while not strictly an eggnog, has all the elements of the festive libation. Sotto’s The Real Thing blends Fernet Branca, cream, whole eggs, evaporated cane sugar, Mexican Coca Cola, and Angostura Bitters for an innovative take on the rich drink.

Ray's & Stark Bar

Throughout the month of December, Ray’s & Stark Bar will offer their Three Spirit Nog as a part of their new late-night Scrooge Menu, with dishes inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The traditional eggnog is laced with bourbon, brandy, and dark rum, and is offered daily from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Hinoki & The Bird

While we’re still not sure what Kuniko Yagi’s departure will do to the beloved Century City dining destination, Head Bartender Brandyn Tepper is still mixing up some pretty stellar cocktails. Take his spin on eggnog, spiked with tequila, mezcal, and Amontillado Sherry, and spiced with allspice, cinnamon and star anise.

Kye's

Of course Los Angeles would find a way to make rich eggnog wholesome and vegan. A healthy, non-alcoholic version of the Christmas classic can be found at Kye’s, and is a blend of pecans, soaked cashews, dates, almond milk, and spices.

Mohawk Bend

While Mohawk Bend also ditches the egg and cream for housemade almond nog to make their eggnog vegan, their Naughty Nog is decidedly alcoholic. The almond base is spiked with Malahat Spiced Rum, and is served over rocks with fresh grated nutmeg.

Harlowe

Ringing in the holidays with a twist on tradition, this West Hollywood drinking den combines El Dorado 12 yr Rum, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, egg, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Angostura bitters to make their Ye Old Nog.

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre’s Beverage Director Jason Eisner brings a vegan take to eggnog with his "Not Your Madre's Nog." The sweet and spicy beverage blends coconut milk, vegan caramel agave, his proprietary masala chai blend, homemade chocolate bitters, and a healthy dose of smoky mezcal.

Sassafras

Sassafras’ Holiday in the Sun is a variation of the classic Puerto Rican holiday cocktail, the Coquito. Sassafras’s tropical take on eggnog combines Cruzan Aged Light Rum, cane syrup, coconut milk, evaporated milk, cinnamon, vanilla bean, egg yolk, and lime.

Tart

TART’s Naughty or Nice Nog takes cinnamon brandy and mixes it with a dash of whiskey bitters, maple syrup, and eggnog. The cocktail is served in a snifter and can be enjoyed while cozying up to the fire pit on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. [Photo: TART]

Cafe Del Rey

Café del Rey offers guests a true Christmas in LA with their Dogsled Nog, comprised of Buffalo Trace White Dog sour mash whiskey, fresh eggnog, and nutmeg that can be enjoyed with the restaurant’s harbor views.

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