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
"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which 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.
What is eggnog and why do we drink it? ›
Eggnog is a drink primarily made with eggs (hence the name) and milk, and is traditionally served at large gatherings in a punch bowl during the winter season, primarily at Christmas. It is made by emulsifying whole milk or cream, eggs, sugar, and spices.
Why do people drink egg nog on 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.
What is in Christmas eggnog? ›
A traditional holiday drink dating back hundreds of years, eggnog is made with eggs (hence the name), milk, cream, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and fortified with rum, whisky, and/or brandy. We grew up with eggnog, the kind you buy in a carton, and every Christmas holiday we kids drank up as much of it as we could.
When did eggnog become a Christmas tradition? ›
Eggnog became tied to the holidays when the drink hopped the pond in the 1700s. American colonies were full of farms—and chickens and cows—and cheaper rum, a soon-signature ingredient. Mexico adopted the very eggnog varietal “rompope,” and Puerto Rico enjoys the “coquito,” which adds coconut milk.
Why is eggnog so addictive? ›
The role of sugar in eggnog
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 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.
Why is eggnog healthy? ›
Health Benefits of Eggnog
“While eggnog is not necessarily a 'health food', there are nutritional benefits coming from milk and cream, which contain protein and essential vitamins including calcium, and vitamins A, D, E and K,” Ariel Rasabi Cohn, MS, RD, LDN, founder of Whole Health Nutrition, LLC, told Health.
Why can't you drink a lot of eggnog? ›
People with diabetes, lactose intolerances, or egg and dairy allergies, as well as those abstaining from alcohol would all find this drink to be problematic. For the rest of people who don't mind ice cream and whipped cream every so often, imbibing a glass or two can still raise a red flag to the digestive system.
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.
From classic favorites like eggnog and mulled wine to creative concoctions like spiked hot cocoa and horchata, there are endless possibilities.
Why is eggnog so thick? ›
Eggnog Ingredients
Egg yolks: Egg yolks thicken the mixture, creating a decadent texture. Sugar: Of course, you'll need white sugar for this dessert-like beverage. Rum: Spike your eggnog with light rum or leave it as-is for a non-alcoholic treat.
Why is eggnog drank at Christmas? ›
In the 1700s, rum from the Caribbean was the American eggnog alcohol of choice. But it was scarce during the revolution, so it was traded out for moonshine. This might explain why it became associated with the Christmas season. It warmed up drinkers in the cold weather, and true eggnog called for expensive liquor.
How much alcohol does eggnog have? ›
I just finished filling up a 12 cup container to the brim with Alton Brown's aged eggnog recipe. The recipe includes 3 cups of mixed alcohol that all have 40% ABV. So the total alcohol amount should be 40% of 3 cups = 1.2 cups of alcohol in a volume of 12 cups, or 10% ABV.
What alcohol goes with eggnog? ›
While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.
What does eggnog do to your body? ›
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. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.
Are you supposed to drink eggnog by itself? ›
Serve your eggnog chilled and plain for a classic treat.
The most classic way to serve eggnog doesn't involve any prep, and it's perfect as an after-dinner treat around the holidays. All you have to do is pour chilled eggnog into a glass. It pairs nicely with sweets, especially baked goods make with milk or cream.
What is the purpose of eggs in eggnog? ›
There are two ways to make eggnog: with cooked eggs or raw eggs. Either way, the basic premise is to whisk egg yolks with sugar to increase the volume of the yolks and create a natural thickener.
