Pa Dutch Egg Nog

Pa Dutch Egg Nog is a ready-to-serve egg nog liqueur from Esplanda, made in Massachusetts. The name points to the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of rich, custardy holiday nog. The label gives no ABV, no base spirit and no ingredient list, so the notes below describe what egg nog liqueurs usually taste like. They are not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a thick, creamy pour in the style of a boozy dessert drink. Styles like this usually lead with vanilla and sweet dairy, followed by nutmeg, cinnamon and a little clove, with a warming spirit note underneath. The sweetness sits at the dessert-liqueur end. The cream and sugar are there to coat the palate, so this isn't a dry sipper. Because the body is rich, a small pour goes a long way, and 2 to 3 ounces is a reasonable serving on its own. It's easiest to serve chilled and neat in a small cordial glass, a rocks glass or a punch cup. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator and shake it before pouring, since dairy-style liqueurs can settle. Pouring over ice dilutes the sweetness slightly and gives a longer, cooler drink. A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg on top adds aroma that the bottled version may have lost. As a digestif it works as a dessert replacement, and it pairs well with gingerbread, shortbread, pumpkin or pecan pie, and spice cake. As a cocktail ingredient it replaces the homemade nog in a classic eggnog drink. It can stand in for the base of a milk punch, or you can add an ounce or two of bourbon, aged rum or brandy if you want a stronger drink. Those spirits suit the vanilla and spice. A splash in hot coffee gives a quick spiked latte, and a small pour over vanilla ice cream works as an affogato-style dessert. Because the liqueur is already sweet, skip any added syrup when you build a drink around it.