Christmas is a joyous time filled with family, friends, food, and of course, drink. Many alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have become staples during the Christmas season over the years. When we think about Christmas drinks, a few definite ones come to mind – hot chocolate, apple cider, eggnog, mulled wine, and Christmas punch. But there is one very famous Christmas drink that stands out above the rest in terms of popularity and tradition. That drink is eggnog.
What is Eggnog?
Eggnog is a rich, creamy drink made with milk, cream, sugar, and beaten eggs. It often contains alcohol such as brandy, rum, whiskey, or wine. Nutmeg and other spices like cinnamon are also commonly used to give eggnog its signature holiday flavor.
The drink has a thick, custard-like consistency and is often served chilled. While there are recipes for eggnog that don’t contain alcohol, most traditional commercial and homemade varieties do include spirits. The alcohol helps to preserve eggnog and keep it safe to consume longer. It also balances the sweetness and adds a kick to the soothing, velvety texture.
The History of Eggnog
Eggnog has a very long history that dates back centuries. Here is a look at the origins of this iconic Christmas beverage:
Medieval Britain Roots
One of the first predecessors of modern eggnog appears to have roots in medieval Britain. A hot drink called posset was popular, often made with milk curdled with wine or ale. Eggs were also added to posset drinks for richness and nutrients.
15th Century Eggnog
By the 15th century, a posset drink called “syllabub” became popular in Britain. It was made by milking a cow directly into a bowl with wine, creating a lighter curdled mixture. This evolved into a drink made by curdling milk with acid like wine or lemon juice, then adding eggs, sugar, spices, and alcohol.
American Colonies
Eggnog made its way over to the American colonies likely thanks to British settlers. It was often made with rum or bourbon due to the wide availability of those spirits. The drink became very popular in the colonies around the holidays.
19th Century Fame
Eggnog continued growing in popularity in America through the 19th century. By the 1890s it was tied to Christmas and holiday tradition. Around this time commercially made eggnog started becoming available to save home cooks the work of having to make their own.
How Did Eggnog Get Its Name?
The exact origins of the name “eggnog” are uncertain, but here are some of the theories:
– It comes from the word “noggin,” an old English term for a small, carved wooden mug. Eggnog was originally served in these mugs.
– It comes from the word “nog,” an old English term meaning strong ale. Eggnog was originally made with ale instead of brandy, rum, or wine.
– It is simply named after its main ingredients, egg and grog (the old term for rum, from “grog water” which was rum diluted with water).
– It derived from the term “egg and milk punch.” Milk punch was a posset mixture with alcohol.
Whatever the exact origin, the name eggnog first started appearing in the early 19th century. By the 1870s it became tied to Christmas traditions in America and Britain.
Traditional Eggnog Recipes
While there are many modern eggnog recipes, here are some traditional ways it is made:
Basic Homemade Eggnog
12 egg yolks
1 cup white sugar, plus 1/4 cup for whipping the whites
1 pint whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup rum
Nutmeg
1. Separate the egg yolks from the whites into two large bowls. Beat the yolks with the 1 cup sugar until light. Add the milk, cream, brandy and rum. Stir well to combine.
2. Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly add the 1/4 cup sugar while whipping. Fold gently into the yolk mixture.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Quick Stovetop Eggnog
2 cups whole milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
4 egg yolks
2 tbsp rum
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1. Heat the milk just to a simmer in a saucepan. Do not boil. Slowly stir in the sweetened condensed milk and cook for 2 minutes more.
2. Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture to them while whisking constantly. Pour the tempered yolks back into the milk pan and cook for a few more minutes until thick. Do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and add rum, vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate until chilled.
Baked Eggnog Custard
6 eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp vanilla
Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Add the milk and cream slowly while stirring continually.
2. Pour the mixture into oven-safe mugs or a casserole dish. Dust the tops with nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. Bake for 40-45 minutes until set. Chill thoroughly before serving.
Traditional Holiday Drinks Around the World
While eggnog is strongly associated with Christmas in America, there are lots of other traditional holiday drinks enjoyed around the world this time of year. Here are just a few:
| Country | Holiday Drink |
|---|---|
| Mexico | Ponche Navideño – Fruit punch with tequila or rum |
| Italy | Zabaglione – Dessert made with eggs, sugar, and sweet Marsala wine |
| Japan | Amazake – Low alcohol sweet sake |
| India | Thandai – Spiced milk with almonds, pistachios, and rosewater |
| South Africa | Cape Brandy Pudding – Custard with brandy and cinnamon |
| Russia | Kissel – Sweetened fruit juice thickened with cornstarch or arrowroot |
| Ecuador | Ponche de Pascua – Citrus-based drink with cinnamon and cloves |
As you can see, eggnog is far from alone as a classic Christmas drink – every culture around the world has its own unique holiday beverages!
How Did Eggnog Become a Christmas Tradition?
Eggnog has such a strong tie to Christmas and the winter holidays now, but how exactly did that association begin? Here are some of the reasons eggnog became an iconic Christmas drink:
– Early American colonists had easy access to rum and brandy thanks to thriving distilleries. These spirits were cheaper than imported wines and ales, so they were added to eggnog.
– Eggnog has a rich, indulgent taste and creamy texture that feels celebratory, making it ideal for festive occasions.
– Nutmeg and other warming spices added to eggnog make it perfectly suited for cold winter weather.
– Eggs and milk were in abundant supply on farms during winter.
– Eggnog could be made fresh to last weeks or months when stored in cold cellars or back porches.
– The drink offered rare nutrition during the lean winter months when produce was scarce.
– Wealthy families drank eggnog on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning as part of festive balls and hunts. The tradition filtered throughout all classes.
– In America eggnog was tied to holiday revelry and charity, offered up freely to carolers and neighbors.
– By the 19th century commercially produced eggnog became widely available to Americans around Christmas.
So the practical factors of colonial life joined with indulgent ingredients, holiday spices, and jovial traditions to cement eggnog as a Christmas staple.
Where is Eggnog Most Popular?
These days you can find eggnog in grocery stores around the world during the holiday season. But it continues to be most popular and widely consumed in the United States and Canada compared to other countries.
Americans drink around $90 million worth of eggnog annually! Consumption always peaks around Christmas and Hanukkah. Eggnog remains synonymous with holiday cheer and celebration in the U.S.
While not as ubiquitous as in North America, eggnog is also enjoyed as a festive drink in Britain, Australia, Germany, and some Latin American countries. In other European nations, eggnog cousin drinks are more common like advocaat in the Netherlands, rompope in Mexico, and sabayon in Italy.
Is Eggnog Only a Christmas Drink?
Because eggnog is so heavily associated with Christmas and winter holidays, many people assume you can only find and drink it during this season. But while eggnog is definitely consumed in much higher quantities around the holidays from November through January, it’s available and enjoyed year-round in some places too.
You can readily find refrigerated eggnog in stores in North America in fall through winter. But did you know that shelf-stable, non-refrigerated eggnog is sold in supermarkets year-round? The ultra-pasteurization process gives it a longer shelf life. So devoted eggnog fans don’t have to wait for Christmas to roll around again to get their fix!
Eggnog is also often served outside of winter at celebratory brunches, wedding receptions, and holiday parties for other occasions like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Non-alcoholic eggnog can even just be a comforting cold drink for hot summer days.
While amount consumed spikes enormously during the Christmas season, eggnog truly can be enjoyed all year long!
What Are Some Fun Eggnog Traditions?
Beyond just drinking it, eggnog has spawned many fun traditions and activities over the years that really cement its status as an essential Christmas beverage. Here are some ways eggnog brings extra holiday cheer:
– Eggnog chugging contests – Friends see who can drink a quart the fastest!
– Christmas morning eggnog toasts – A tradition in many households.
– Dicken’s Christmas Revival parties – Victorian costume parties with eggnog in London.
– Eggnog sled races – An annual race in Alaska since the 1970s.
– Eggnog shaken into cocktails like Eggnog White Russians.
– Kentucky Eggnog Shooters – A shot glass layered with eggnog, bourbon, and nutmeg.
– Eggnog lattes and cappuccinos using eggnog instead of milk.
– Eggnog milkshakes – Blending eggnog, ice cream, and other goodies.
– Eggnog-infused French toast at brunch.
– Non-alcoholic eggnog as a holiday treat for kids.
Any way you shake it up, eggnog has become the life of the party during Christmas revelries thanks to its festive flair and delicious taste.
What Are Some Good Alcoholic Eggnog Drink Recipes?
While eggnog is perfectly delicious on its own, the addition of alcohol elevates the drink to new heights of decadence and holiday joy. While traditional eggnog is usually made with a combination of brandy and rum, you can get creative with all kinds of spirited eggnog cocktails. Here are some amazing boozy eggnog drink recipes to try:
Classic Eggnog Cocktail
– 2 oz bourbon
– 1 oz rum
– 1 oz eggnog
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
Add all ingredients except nutmeg to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Spiked Mexican Eggnog (Rompope)
– 2 oz reposado tequila
– 4 oz store bought or homemade rompope/eggnog
– 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Dust extra cinnamon on top.
Naughty Eggnog Milkshake
– 2 scoops good quality vanilla ice cream
– 1/4 cup eggnog
– 1 oz spiced rum
– 1 tbsp caramel or chocolate sauce
– Sweetened whipped cream
Blend everything except whipped cream in a blender. Pour into a chilled glass, top with whipped cream.
Eggnog White Russian
– 1.5 oz vodka
– 1 oz Kahlua or coffee liqueur
– 3 oz eggnog
– Freshly grated nutmeg
Add vodka, Kahlua and eggnog to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with nutmeg.
What Are Some Good Holiday Eggnog Desserts?
Delicious eggnog isn’t just limited to drinks – it’s also integrated into wonderful Christmas desserts too. Here are some sweet eggnog-infused treats:
Eggnog Cheesecake
This rich cheesecake has eggnog baked right into the filling and crust. Top with crunchy nutmeg praline.
Eggnog Cookies
Buttery eggnog cut-out cookies are fun to decorate with thick eggnog icing and holiday sprinkles.
Eggnog Bread Pudding
Bread pudding made extra creamy with eggnog and topped with warm whiskey sauce.
Eggnog Yule Log
This festive twist on the classic Christmas cake rolls a rich eggnog Swiss meringue buttercream inside a chocolate sponge cake.
Eggnog Panna Cotta
Silky smooth eggnog-infused panna cotta topped with maple roasted pears.
Eggnog Crème Brûlée
The rich vanilla custard gets some holiday flair from nutmeg and eggnog.
Any way you slice it, eggnog takes dessert to new levels of holiday decadence.
Does Store Bought or Homemade Eggnog Taste Better?
During the Christmas season you’ll see refrigerated eggnog from brands like Organic Valley and Hood lining the dairy case, along with shelf-stable cartons. But which tastes better – store bought or homemade? They both have their advantages:
Store Bought Eggnog
– Convenient, no work required!
– Consistent, reliable texture and flavor.
– Widely available, easy to find.
– Shelf-stable doesn’t require refrigeration before opening.
– Offered in flavored varieties like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and sugar cookie.
Homemade Eggnog
– Total control over ingredients and proportions.
– Tailor flavors to your taste preferences.
– Avoids additives, thickeners, and preservatives.
– Lower cost than premium brands.
– Can customize with different types of liquor.
– Fun DIY family tradition.
Ultimately it’s a matter of personal preference! Even die-hard homemade eggnog fans will admit that quality store bought brands like Organic Valley are delicious. Making your own requires significant effort.
Commercial eggnog offers convenience while homemade allows for customization. The best choice depends on your priorities like time constraints, budget, and ingredients on hand during busy Christmas preparations.
Regardless of what type you prefer, eggnog is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit!
Conclusion
Eggnog is truly the king of all Christmas drinks thanks to its storied history, seasonal spices, festive flair, and sheer deliciousness. This rich, velvety beverage evokes nostalgia for holidays past and creates new family traditions. While eggnog enjoys its moment in the spotlight during the Christmas season, there are so many ways to enjoy it all year long in fun cocktails, decadent desserts, and as a comforting cold treat. Eggnog has certainly earned its place as the most famous and well-loved holiday drink. So grab a glass and toast to cheer, comfort, and joy this Christmas!