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!
