Eggnog is the drink people reach for when the holidays settle in, and nothing declares the start of the festive season like seeing it return to tables across America. As soon as its aroma fills the room, people waste no time on the next fresh batch, friends pass around mugs and families use that first pour to officially kick off the celebrations. Each year, eggnog comes back as a cold-weather favorite and delivers that same nostalgic comfort people always look forward to.
Photo credit: YAY Images.
As December fills with events, eggnog shows up in more places than the punch bowl, from festive desserts to quick seasonal drinks. New flavors and easier store options help it fit into more routines, giving households plenty of ways to bring it into their gatherings.
The season’s familiar holiday drink
Eggnog continues to hold its place at holiday tables, even as seasonal drinks come and go. The tradition started in the British Isles with a custard-style mix made from beaten eggs, sugar and cream. People served it during winter celebrations, often including a small pour of rum, brandy, cognac or whisky to toast the occasion.
Its origin traces even further back to a medieval drink called posset, which combined warm milk, eggs and alcohol during festivities. The recipe changed over centuries, and once it reached Britain’s North American colonies in the 1700s, the name eggnog began to appear. By 1775, it had settled into common use, even though the drink itself had been part of British celebrations long before it reached the United States.
Many households believed that using richer ingredients such as cream and spirits would bring good fortune in the coming year. That idea stayed with the drink as it moved through generations. Eggnog is now a holiday staple that people continue to crave when the year closes, keeping the tradition alive across different regions and celebrations.
How Americans enjoy eggnog today
Eggnog finds its way into a wide range of seasonal drinks and treats as December rolls in. Families set out nonalcoholic pours for kids, and party hosts build holiday punch bowls that use the drink as a base for crowd-friendly servings. Coffee shops add eggnog lattes to winter menus while ice cream counters release short-run flavors for customers who wait all year for them.
Bakeries fold the drink into cakes, breads and pies, which keep it present across holiday trays and dessert tables. Diners, fast-food chains and neighborhood spots mix it into milkshakes or French toast batter for a quick seasonal upgrade.
Modern flavors take over
Holiday drink trends keep evolving, and eggnog is right in the middle of that shift as people look for lighter or updated takes on the classic. Many households now go for plant-based bases like oat, almond or coconut to make the drink easier to serve at gatherings with different preferences. Seasonal spices influence the market too, with chai, gingerbread and pumpkin profiles turning the drink into a closer match for broader winter flavors.
Some cooks and baristas also experiment with brighter blends by adding citrus or stronger nutmeg mixes to balance the richness. Matcha versions bring a green tea edge that appeals to customers who want something newer, and spicy takes that use chili or smoked seasonings add heat for people who enjoy bolder tastes.
What shoppers find in stores
Stores stock a wider range of holiday drinks each year, and shoppers now see eggnog in formats that fit different routines. Quick stops at grocery coolers often include small bottles meant for single servings, while households planning get-togethers reach for larger cartons placed near seasonal baking items. Specialty markets add their own spin with farm-made or organic versions, and some retailers sell boxed sets packaged for easy gifting with spice blends or mix-ins included.
Holiday ties to eggnog
Eggnog remains tied to holiday memories for many families, which helps keep it in circulation year after year. Its arrival in stores often announces the start of the season in homes that save it for December reunions. The drink’s thick texture sets it apart from other winter options and gives it a spot that few beverages match during December celebrations.
Its limited run on shelves also adds to its appeal. People know it will disappear once the season ends, which makes it feel more connected to the holidays. Many households keep a long-standing recipe that grounds their traditions and brings a familiar flavor to the table.
America’s winter favorite
Even with shelves full of new seasonal drinks, eggnog keeps its role in the heart of winter gatherings. People return to it for comfort, for memory and for the taste that cues the season’s arrival. Modern twists only expand how it fits into different households. That blend of old and new keeps eggnog firmly tied to the celebrations that close out the year.
Zuzana Paar is the visionary behind five inspiring websites: Amazing Travel Life, Low Carb No Carb, Best Clean Eating, Tiny Batch Cooking and Sustainable Life Ideas. As a content creator, recipe developer, blogger and photographer, Zuzana shares her diverse skills through breathtaking travel adventures, healthy recipes and eco-friendly living tips. Her work inspires readers to live their best, healthiest and most sustainable lives.
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