Celebrating Christmas with a festive drink is practically required—especially when it comes to a frosty glass of eggnog! Sure, Christmas punches and hot cocoa are up there on our list of favorite Christmas drinks, but there's something about the creamy richness and spiced flavor of eggnog that says, "Merry Chirstmas!"
But not everyone has the same nostalgia for eggnog. In fact, the traditional drink is one of those things that you either love or hate. We like to think that the boxed cartons you find in the dairy section of your supermarket has a lot to do with this. Sure, you can use store-bought eggnog as a convenient ingredient in our eggnog cake recipe, but if you intend to sip on this winter co*cktail while you deck the halls, we prefer the real stuff any day of the week.
Read on to find out more about this holiday drink, including the history of eggnog, the basic ingredients, and how to make it boozy (or non-boozy) for your Christmas party.
What is eggnog?
So, what exactly is eggnog, anyway? This old-fashioned drink is commonly made with milk, cream, sugar, spices, alcohol, and (you guessed it) eggs. It has a long history that dates to the early medieval days with its roots in Britain. But back then, the drink was not a Christmas tradition for the masses.
Traditional eggnog today is made up of a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, eggs (both yolks and whipped egg whites), and rum, bourbon, or brandy. They can also call for warm spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg), along with vanilla extract. It's a classic Christmas drink that's creamy, sweet, and typically served chilled. Of course, there are plenty of variations on eggnog, such as varieties that are served warm, non-alcoholic versions, and even some made without the eggs (they make for a good vegan alternative).
In fact, if egg safety is your concern, rest assured that many of the non-alcoholic commercial eggnogs you find in stores rarely contain any raw eggs at all. You can also try a homemade eggnog recipe that omits raw eggs entirely from the drink.
What is the history of eggnog?
Long before it was made available in your local supermarket, eggnog was a drink for the wealthy. While the origins of the drink aren't fully known, it's believed to have originated from a drink called "posset," which dates back to early medieval Britain, according to historians. The ingredients (eggs, sugar, milk, and alcohol) were expensive for the time, so it became a drink for special occasions, particularly for those who were wealthy.
Eggnog found its way to America and thanks to George Washington, it became a popular Christmas tradition. According to kitchen records, he served "an eggnog-like drink to visitors at Mount Vernon complete with sherry, rum, and rye whiskey."
As for the funny name? This is another mystery that has multiple theories, but one suggests that "nog" comes from the word for wooden cups: "Noggin."
What does eggnog taste like?
It's sweet, rich, and very creamy. Think of a glass of custard or melted vanilla ice cream! But it also has a slightly spiced flavor thanks to the cinnamon and nutmeg. It basically tastes like Christmas in a glass!
What alcohol is in eggnog?
Eggnog is typically made with rum, bourbon, or brandy—heck, you can even use all three! Don't waste the fancy stuff on this drink though. The decadence from the creamy mixture means you don't need the highest-end alcohol (a mid-priced bottle will do). Then again, if you want to make eggnog without alcohol, that’s perfectly acceptable, too. It's delicious whether it's spiked or not!
FAQs
The drink first made its appearance in the American colonies in the 18th century, where both eggs and rum were plentiful. Eggnog was particularly popular around Christmastime because of its warm temperature and the addition of flavors, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean, that embodied the winter season.
Why do people drink eggnog at Christmas? ›
It was thought that the use of “luxury” ingredients such as cream and alcohol would invite prosperity into the household for the coming year. In most households today, a cup of eggnog ushers in the good cheer of the holiday more so than any belief in impending wealth.
Why is egg nog seasonal? ›
Why don't dairy manufacturers make eggnog all year long? It doesn't sell. Demand for eggnog follows traditional consumption patterns that date back hundreds of years. The drink was a wintertime favorite of the British aristocracy, who took it warm, mixed with brandy or sherry to prevent spoilage.
Is eggnog the most popular Christmas drink? ›
Christmas Punch is the most popular holiday co*cktail, winning in 11 states including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio and Michigan. Eggnog comes in second with six states. The classic boozy beverage is a favorite in Oregon, Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Wyoming and Vermont.
Why do Americans love eggnog? ›
The drink's wintry spices, and the preference for serving it hot, made nog a Yuletide mainstay. As milk, eggs, sugar and rum became more affordable and abundant, eggnog became accessible to everyday Americans. Today, people around the world enjoy it, often putting regional spins on the recipe.
What alcohol is in eggnog? ›
Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.
Why is eggnog so addictive? ›
Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.
Why can't you drink a lot of eggnog? ›
Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars.
Why is eggnog so expensive? ›
Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.
Why doesn't eggnog make you sick? ›
Most commercially available eggnogs are pasteurized, so the risk of falling ill from uncooked eggs is pretty minimal. They have been cooked and held at 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria and campylobacter, are no longer present.
The top eggnog-drinking states, compared to Florida, are:
- Vermont: 19.
- Alaska: 14.
- Iowa/Oklahoma: 8.
- Florida: 6.
Eggnog. Can you really call it Christmas until you've had an eggnog? This traditional festive drink is made with eggs, milk, cream, and sugar, and lightly spiced with nutmeg. Go for the angelic version and keep it alcohol-free, or add rum or a rich bourbon for a little taste of Christmas in a glass.
What's the difference between eggnog and holiday nog? ›
(What's the difference between eggnog and Holiday Nog? Eggnog must have a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight; Holiday Nog, which Spangler called a flavored milk product, has 2 percent butterfat and less than 1 percent egg yolk by weight.)
Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›
Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.
Is eggnog healthy? ›
Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.
What alcohol is associated with Christmas? ›
From classic favorites like eggnog and mulled wine to creative concoctions like spiked hot cocoa and horchata, there are endless possibilities.
Who started the eggnog tradition? ›
Culinary historians have traced the origins of egg-nog to the medieval British punch called “posset,” warm milk curdled with alcohol such as wine or beer, flavored with spices. In medieval Europe, monks added their own twist by serving posset with figs and eggs.
Why is it OK to drink eggnog? ›
You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says. Almost all the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills bacteria, but he says to be sure to check that the carton or bottle is clearly labeled as such. If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton.
Do you drink eggnog before or after dinner? ›
You could offer black coffee, or Kahlua after dinner all year long, but at this time of year spiced eggnog is a treat. If you're eating savory things, eggnog should go later with dessert, not first. Eggnog coats your palette and will ruin the flavor of a lot of things if it's not followed by something sharp.
