Today’s Spotlight is on Egg Nogg!

Eggnog, historically also known as a milk punch or an egg milk punch when alcoholic beverages are added, is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites.

Eggnog is a rich, sweet, dairy-based drink that’s typically served chilled. It’s traditionally made with:

• Milk
• Cream
• Sugar
• Egg yolks
• Whipped egg whites
• Spices like nutmeg and vanilla
• Alcohol like rum, bourbon, or brandy

Eggnog is a traditional holiday drink that dates back hundreds of years. It was thought that the use of “luxury” ingredients like cream and alcohol would invite prosperity into the household for the coming year.

 

History

Eggnog is believed to have originated in medieval Britain.  It’s thought to have evolved from a drink called “posset”. Posset was a warm ale punch that was popular with 13th century British monks.

It was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy. The first version of eggnog was exclusive to the upper classes because they were the only ones who had access to the milk, sherry, and eggs required to make it. The term “eggnog” first appeared in Britain’s North American colonies in 1775. The drink became popular in the American colonies by the 19th century.

The word “nog” has Old English origins and could mean either a strong beer or a wooden cup. The term “eggnog” was introduced in 1775 in the American colonies.

The origin of “nog” is unclear, but it could be related to “noggin”, a name for a drinking vessel dating back to the 1500s. In Colonial America, rum was commonly called “grog”. One theory is that the name “eggnog” is derived from the term “egg-and-grog”.

Other theories include:

• “Nog” comes from “noggin”, a small wooden cup used in the 16th century.
• “Nog” comes from “grog”, a strong beer.
• “Nog” comes from “nog”, an Old English word for strong beer.
• “Nog” comes from “noggin”, a type of beer, possibly derived from the other meaning.

 

 

 

 

To make eggnog, you can:

1. Separate the eggs into whites and yolks.
2. Whip the whites into stiff peaks.
3. Whisk the egg yolks with sugar and salt in a separate bowl until the mixture lightens in color and texture.
4. Add milk, half-and-half, or cream to a saucepan over medium.
5. Be careful not to allow this to boil.

Today’s supermarket eggnogs contain very little egg, and certainly do not contain alcohol.

Eggnog became a holiday drink in the 1700s because it was served warm and contained winter flavors. It was also associated with prosperity because it contained “luxury” ingredients like cream and alcohol.

Eggnog became popular in the American colonies in the 18th century. It was more accessible in the colonies because people had easier access to dairy products and eggs. Rum was also easily accessible in the Caribbean and wasn’t heavily taxed.

Eggnog was often made without alcohol, and each region would adapt the drink to their personal tastes.

Eggnog is often available from Thanksgiving through Christmas. It’s a popular drink during the winter season, particularly around Christmas. Some say that eggnog became associated with the holidays because:

• During the Revolutionary War, rum was scarcer. People saved rum-spiked beverages for special occasions, like Christmas.
• Eggnog’s warm temperature and wintery flavors, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean, make it a good choice for the winter season.
• The American colonies had plenty of eggs and rum, which became a signature ingredient.

In some regions, a marshmallow-flavored version of eggnog is sold at Easter.

 

Here are some more fun facts about eggnog:

• George Washington had a famous, very boozy eggnog recipe.
• Dwight Eisenhower also enjoyed boozy eggnog.
• Heavily spiked eggnog once caused a West Point riot.
• In Britain, eggnog was known as “egg flip” because it was poured between jugs to mix it.
• The word “eggnog” was invented in America around 1765.
• Eggnog was often recommended to treat diseases, such as malaria fever, in medical texts in the 1800s.
• The term “eggnog” is a combination of two colonial slang words—rum was referred to as “grog” and bartenders served it in small wooden mugs called “noggins”.

 

Here’s a recipe for George Washington’s eggnog:

Ingredients

• 1 quart cream
• 1 quart milk
• 1 dozen tablespoons sugar
• 1 pint brandy
• 1/2-pint rye whiskey
• 1/2-pint Jamaica rum
• 1/4-pint sherry
• 12 room-temperature eggs
• Nutmeg and cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

1. Mix the liquors.
2. Separate the egg yolks and whites.
3. Beat the yolks and add sugar.
4. Add the milk and cream, beating slowly.
5. Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the mixture.
6. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for several days, tasting frequently.

George Washington’s eggnog was rumored to be a stiff drink.

 

Consumption

According to Indiana University, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of eggnog annually. That’s roughly 14.5 million gallons. Almost all of that is consumed between Thanksgiving and New Years.

A one-cup serving of eggnog has approximately 210 calories and 11 grams of fat. According to a YouGov survey, 25% of Americans say it’s their favorite holiday drink. Americans who are 65 years or older are more likely to enjoy eggnog (33 percent) than those between the ages of 50 to 64 (28 percent) or those younger than 50 (20 percent).

 

Celebrating Egg Nogg

National Eggnog Day is on December 24. But egg nogg is celebrated quite a bit during the holidays. Eggnog is a holiday drink that’s typically served during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. It’s often available from Thanksgiving through Christmas. In some regions, a marshmallow-flavored version is sold at Easter.

Eggnog has been associated with Christmas since the 1700s. In the 13th century, English lords and ladies used it to toast to wealth. The ancient Japanese used a version of it to alleviate colds and sore throats.

In the American colonies, eggnog was made with rum rather than brandy, whiskey, or port. It was also common to serve it along with mint juleps, during lunch in the spring, or during elections.

Let us know in the comments if you like you egg nogg with or without George Washington’s special kick.