Yes, I know your mom’s homemade eggnog is the best ever, but sometimes you just want to open a bottle or carton of the stuff from the local store.

Here in the Berkshires the best eggnog from a store is High Lawn Farm in Lee, MA, hands down! But you can’t get it everywhere in the land, so I took a highly unscientific poll from all my social media friends and followers asking what they like where they live. Here’s what I found.

Many here in New England favor Hood eggnog, and I admit their Golden eggnog is pretty good. Another New England contender was Crescent Ridge creamery in Canton, MA. Prudence in RI says, “Arruda’s in Tiverton.” Arethusa Farm, Litchfield, CT was also mentioned. Another friend likes Smiling Hill Farm in Maine.

When my survey moved West into New York many people prefer Stewarts. My friend John in upstate New York says, Pittsford Dairy Farms! Doris likes Galway Bay Irish Eggnog, imported and made with Irish whisky.

The responses thinned out a bit as we went farther west, so here in no particular order are the rest of the comments. Turkey Hill was favored in many places. Dan in Alexandria, VA, likes Lewes Dairy. Deb in Ohio says, “Here in Cincinnati it’s UDF (United Dairy Farmers).” Anita in SC writes, “The Fresh Market. YUMMY!” My colleague Marilyn in Iowa says, “Anderson Erickson, Des Moines, IA.” A follower in MN writes, “For us in Minnesota the race is between Land O Lakes and Kemps. This household gives the nod to Land O Lakes.” A follower in OK votes for Braum’s in Tulsa.

Moving even farther west, a follower in WY writes, “If you can find Promise Land it’s the best. In my area, again if you can find it is Dairygold Oldfashion, WY. Denise in OR writes, “Lochmead all the way, which you can buy in the drive thru of our locally owned little Dari-Marts.”

Sarah in CA writes, “Here in Northern California, StrausOrganic in the glass bottle is the way!” At the other end of the state, Judith writes, “We have Broguiere’s Dairy, fabulous eggnog in glass bottles made in Montebello, SoCal for almost 100 yrs. Horrified to just read they are closing.” And Berkshire girl Marie, who has lived in CA, likes Fenton’s Creamery in Oakland, CA and Sweet Rose in Los Angeles! But High Lawn is our favorite.”

And finally, for the lactose intolerant, a follower in CA writes, “Not a huge fan of almond milk, I nevertheless LOVE Almond Breeze’s almond milk eggnog. It’s tasty without heavy sugar and gives a light touch to eggnog.  It’s also 70 calories per serving v 220.  That’s very nice at pig-out holiday time.” And a follower in NJ likes SO Delicious Holiday eggnog which is made with coconut milk.

So, there is something for everyone wherever you live and whatever you can drink. And a good store-bought eggnog is a handy delivery system for your favorite boozy beverage. Over the years we’ve splashed in various light and dark rums, bourbon, rye, brandy. My daughter-in-law, who (with all due respect to your mom’s recipe) makes my favorite home-made eggnog uses cognac, rum and bourbon. You will definately need a designated driver after that one.

Thanks to all who pitched in to the survey and have a joyous holiday and a happy New Year!