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School of Hard Nogs: 8 Boozy SF Eggnogs to Drink Now

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Like fruitcake, eggnog is one of those holiday traditions that, when poorly executed, can end up sitting in your stomach like a lump of coal. One solution is adding booze, an always-reliable way to cut through tons of sugar, but cheap rum isn't going to cut it (and might just make the situation worse). Fortunately, we've mapped eight bars which take pride in providing the frothy, flavorful, holiday-riffic eggnog of one's dreams, complete with interesting twists like a bourbon-cherry Heering nog that riffs on an old-fashioned and a nog that dumps the traditional rum for añejo tequila. Here now, our guide to the eight essential eggnogs of the SF mixology world.


Christine Tusher

Share your favorite boozy SF eggnogs in the comments.

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Southpaw BBQ

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Use the code word “Tugboat” to order Southpaw's off-menu 'nog ($11), made from scratch with George Dickel #12, Sailor Jerry rum, and Luxardo Amaretto and topped with a garnish of freshly-ground nutmeg.

Trick Dog

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Bar manager Morgan Schick is the brains behind the Trick Nog ($12), which marries traditional ‘nog to an old-fashioned by way of Wild Turkey bourbon, housemade brown-sugar syrup, and Cherry Heering.

Owner H. Joseph Ehrmann mixes up a fresh organic eggnog, then spikes it with a strong añejo tequila (Fortaleza, El Tesoro, and Siete Leguas are his go-tos) to create the Añogo ($10). The south-of-the-border twist on classic nog capitalizes on the warm flavors of barrel-aged spirits, with a kick of spice.

The Hideout at Dalva

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Bartenders Ricky Paiva and David Curiel teamed up to concoct The Egg, Noggy Nog Nog ($10). While the combination of Campari and bourbon initially evoke a Boulevardier, the addition of maple and coffee bitters helps create a warm, seasonal taste.

Lolinda

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Getting extra-boozy is a holiday tradition, and the Lolinda Eggnog ($7) will get you well on your way. Made with both aged and Jamaican rums, brandy and a pinch of nutmeg, it'll have you caroling all the way home.

Kate Bolton's Maven ‘Nog ($10) offers a beautiful balance of warmth and bite, thanks to its combo bourbon, rum, gomme syrup, malt, and vanilla. It's like Maven’s seasonal Milk Punch, but with a Santa hat on.

Bar 888

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Zaya rum anchors the Hard Nog ($12), a straightforward take on the traditional treat which gets its seasonal flavor from a generous pinch of nutmeg.

The Ice Cream Bar

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Even an ice-cream joint has to warm up for the winter, which is why this soda fountain boasts a boozy Port Eggnog ($10), with Graham's 10-year tawny port, eggs, cream, turbinado syrup, and fresh nutmeg.

Southpaw BBQ

Use the code word “Tugboat” to order Southpaw's off-menu 'nog ($11), made from scratch with George Dickel #12, Sailor Jerry rum, and Luxardo Amaretto and topped with a garnish of freshly-ground nutmeg.

Trick Dog

Bar manager Morgan Schick is the brains behind the Trick Nog ($12), which marries traditional ‘nog to an old-fashioned by way of Wild Turkey bourbon, housemade brown-sugar syrup, and Cherry Heering.

Elixir

Owner H. Joseph Ehrmann mixes up a fresh organic eggnog, then spikes it with a strong añejo tequila (Fortaleza, El Tesoro, and Siete Leguas are his go-tos) to create the Añogo ($10). The south-of-the-border twist on classic nog capitalizes on the warm flavors of barrel-aged spirits, with a kick of spice.

The Hideout at Dalva

Bartenders Ricky Paiva and David Curiel teamed up to concoct The Egg, Noggy Nog Nog ($10). While the combination of Campari and bourbon initially evoke a Boulevardier, the addition of maple and coffee bitters helps create a warm, seasonal taste.

Lolinda

Getting extra-boozy is a holiday tradition, and the Lolinda Eggnog ($7) will get you well on your way. Made with both aged and Jamaican rums, brandy and a pinch of nutmeg, it'll have you caroling all the way home.

Maven

Kate Bolton's Maven ‘Nog ($10) offers a beautiful balance of warmth and bite, thanks to its combo bourbon, rum, gomme syrup, malt, and vanilla. It's like Maven’s seasonal Milk Punch, but with a Santa hat on.

Bar 888

Zaya rum anchors the Hard Nog ($12), a straightforward take on the traditional treat which gets its seasonal flavor from a generous pinch of nutmeg.

The Ice Cream Bar

Even an ice-cream joint has to warm up for the winter, which is why this soda fountain boasts a boozy Port Eggnog ($10), with Graham's 10-year tawny port, eggs, cream, turbinado syrup, and fresh nutmeg.

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