Alternative eggnog recipes

Eggnog variations Amaretto-apricot eggnog Reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons, to be cooked with the yolks (no sugar for the egg whites). Substitute three- fourths cup amaretto liqueur and one-fourth cup apricot liqueur for the Cognac. Omit the spices. Garnish: grated orange zest. Nut brittle nog Whisk one-fourth cup smooth peanut butter into the milk before incorporating. Substitute one-half cup vodka and one-half cup hazelnut liqueur for the Cognac. Spice with 1 teaspoon vanilla, one-half teaspoon almond extract, one-fourth teaspoon cinnamon and one-eighth teaspoon ground nutmeg. Garnish: a bit of ground nutmeg.Wry vanilla eggnog Substitute dark brown sugar for the sugar; don’t add sugar to the egg whites (use only the one-half cup for the yolks). Substitute rye whiskey for the Cognac. Spice with 1 scraped vanilla pod. Garnish: nutmeg.Scotch ‘n’ honey nog Substitute 2 tablespoons chestnut honey for the total sugar (add to the egg yolks) and a Scotch for the Cognac. Omit the spices. Garnish: a swirl of chestnut honey. Rum-coco nogDon’t add sugar to the egg whites (use only the one-half cup for the yolks). Substitute dark rum for the Cognac and 2 cups coconut milk for the milk. Spice with one-fourth teaspoon vanilla, one-half teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground allspice. Garnish: toasted coconut.Pink nog-tiniDon’t add sugar to the egg whites (use only the one-half cup for the yolks). Substitute three-fourths cup gin (preferably Plymouth), one- fourth cup sweet vermouth, one- eighth cup maraschino liqueur and one-eighth cup grenadine for the Cognac, and one-half teaspoon almond extract for the spices. Garnish: a maraschino cherry sliver. Naranja nog Don’t add sugar to the egg whites (use only the one-half cup for the yolks). Substitute three-fourths cup tequila (preferably añejo), one-fourth cup orange liqueur, and 2 dashes orange bitters for the Cognac. Spice with 1 teaspoon vanilla, one-eighth teaspoon cloves and one-fourth teaspoon ground cinnamon. Garnish: an orange twist. -- Noelle Carter