When ordering the new Dairy Queen Holiday Nog Shake, the initial facial expression the DQ employee gave me was one that I imagine the angels at the Gates of Heaven will give me when they have to tell me I’m not on the list. A grimace that’s part embarrassment and part should-I-tell-him.
After a moment of hemming and hawing, the employee asked me if I was sure I wanted it, since it wasn’t good. Customers complained that it tasted weird or had a light nog flavor. However, the words “it tasted weird” are catnip to me, so, of course, I had to try it.
The seasonal dessert is a nog-flavored shake topped with whipped cream and nutmeg, and it looks as unexciting as any nog. But I don’t expect anything fancy when it comes to DQ’s shakes; they’re all pretty much sauce, soft serve, whipped topping, and a sprinkle of something. If you want texture, get a Blizzard or a Dilly Bar.
After trying it, with the Dairy Queen worker looking at me and preparing for the worst, I thought it tasted fine. There wasn’t any weirdness, but its nog flavor was noticeably more subdued than what you’d get with light egg nog. However, that might be a good thing, because the standard and light versions of the seasonal beverage can get too rich too quickly. If I drank the same amount of regular egg nog as this shake, I wouldn’t be able to finish it because it would be too much, and my stomach would punish me soon after. However, I had no problem finishing this with its mild flavor.
There’s nothing about Dairy Queen’s Holiday Nog Shake that makes it a must-buy. This time of year, there are a multitude of ways to get the nog flavor in your mouth. Actually, now that I think about it, egg nog-flavored ice creams (and frozen dairy desserts) I’ve gotten from the store have a stronger flavor than this.
Purchased Price: FREE*
Size: Small
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 460 calories, 18 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 56 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.
*The employee was so unsure about whether I’d like this nog-flavored shake that they gave it to me for free. Christmas is early this year! Maybe the worker was Santa Claus?