While it may be highly divisive, eggnog remains a staple of the holiday season. Smithsonian Magazine reports that Americans consume approximately 240 million cups of creamy, nutmeg-flavored eggnog each year. From classic nog to modern flavors, this drink is a holiday must-have.
Raising a glass of eggnog this year? Explore the history and traditions behind one of the holiday’s most debated drinks. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
Made with cream or milk, eggs and nutmeg and often spiked with brandy, rum or bourbon, eggnog can be a decadent holiday treat for some. For others, eggnog is undrinkable, finding the richness, custardy texture or eggs off-putting. Despite its polarizing status, creative uses and new recipes give even eggnog skeptics something to explore this year.
How eggnog became the American holiday drink
Eggnog’s story started in Medieval England as a drink called a “posset,” which Smithsonian Magazine describes as a mixture of hot milk, spices and wine or ale. In the 13th century, monks added whipped eggs to their possets. These ingredients: spices, eggs and fermented wines like sherry were costly, and possets were reserved for the wealthy and special occasions.
Colonists brought the drink to America, where it acquired the name “eggnog.” Founding Fathers such as George Washington served it at their holiday parties, usually hot to combat cool winter temperatures. In 1826, cadets at West Point snuck so much eggnog into a Christmas Eve party that the drunkenness resulted in a riot with swords, guns and barricades.
Today, Americans seem to either love or hate eggnog. When asked, “What does eggnog taste like?” on Reddit, users respond with everything from melted vanilla ice cream and “heaven” to “disgusting” and “garbage.” Despite the strong opinions, Americans continue to consume 15 million gallons of eggnog annually. Whether store-bought or homemade, boozy or nonalcoholic, eggnog remains a holiday tradition.
Store-bought versus homemade eggnog
Eggnog often appears on grocery store shelves between November and January, offering a convenient and consistent option. Choices include both nonalcoholic and spiked eggnogs, ultra-pasteurized eggnogs cooked to remove pathogens and even vegan eggnogs. Brands vary in taste and consistency, providing a delicious base for your holiday punch.
However, for some eggnog drinkers, only a homemade recipe will do. The decadent ingredients of milk, heavy cream, real eggs, sugar and nutmeg, plus your liquor of choice if you want to imbibe, make for a luxurious treat that is surprisingly simple to make. Homemade eggnog is often richer and more flavorful than store-bought. It also provides more flexibility. Reduce the sugar for a more subtly sweet drink, increase the nutmeg for more spice or adjust the amount of booze to your taste.
The spirited side of eggnog
Alcohol has been central to eggnog’s identity since its earliest days. In Colonial America, rum was the most common addition, thanks to the spirit’s availability and complementary flavor. Sherry was also a traditional addition to early possets. Today, bourbon, brandy and rum remain classic options, either individually or altogether for a hard-hitting Christmas punch.
In a taste test of eggnog with different alcohols, brandy melded well with the eggnog’s sweetness while adding a bit of depth. Rum was a little milder, although a spiced rum brings more of those warm winter flavors. Bourbon depended largely on the type of whisky. A sweeter whisky may pair better with the nog, while a rye whisky can add interesting spice notes.
Eggnog can easily be nonalcoholic as well. Simply omit the booze or add your favorite nonalcoholic spirit to the punch. If you are serving it at a party, consider serving the nog and spirits separately so guests can add their preferred liquor.
Elevating eggnog: Aging, spices and homemade gifts
If you are making your own eggnog, there are a few ways you can make it even better. Alton Brown popularized aged eggnog, which requires aging the nog in the fridge for two weeks or up to a year. This allows the flavors of the spirits and spices in the eggnog to deepen, giving you a more complex eggnog. With a little pre-season planning, aged eggnog can be a surprising addition to a party or a thoughtful edible holiday gift for any nog-loving friends and family.
Whether or not you plan on aging your eggnog, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in flavor. Pre-ground nutmeg loses its aroma quickly. Instead, use a microplaner or cheese grater to grate fresh, whole nutmeg into your eggnog for a warm, fragrant finish.
Creative ways to use eggnog beyond the punch
If you like the flavors but not the texture of eggnog, or you need to use up some extra nog, eggnog adapts easily into seasonal recipes. Try an eggnog fudge with white chocolate or eggnog ice cream.
Eggnog also works well as a coffee creamer, adding sweetness, creaminess and spice. You can also use it as a base, either on its own or combined with water or milk, for a decadent hot chocolate.
The combination of eggs, milk and nutmeg makes eggnog a wonderful mixture for French toast. Dip your bread into a bowl of eggnog, then fry it on the griddle for the perfect Christmas-morning breakfast. You can also mix up eggnog scones, relying on the fat, eggs and spices in the nog to provide a flavorful, tender scone.
Navigating health concerns around raw eggs in eggnog
Eggnog gets its name from the eggs, which were traditionally raw. The risk of salmonella from consuming raw eggs is small but possible. Using pasteurized eggs in your homemade eggnog, which are heated to kill bacteria, can significantly reduce any risk. Additionally, while alcohol may kill some bacteria in unpasteurized raw eggs, adding liquor is not a reliable way to remove salmonella entirely.
Store-bought eggnog is often already pasteurized, making it a safe and easy way to avoid foodborne illness. If the thought of raw eggs is still unpalatable, try plant-based eggnogs made from oat, almond or coconut milk that have neither milk nor eggs.
Whether homemade or store-bought, you should always practice basic food safety when serving eggnog. Don’t let it sit out for more than two hours.
Eggnog endures
For some, eggnog is a hallmark of December, something they look forward to all year and signals the start of the holidays. For others, it’s a once-a-year indulgence. For others, eggnog is to be avoided at all costs. But every year, Americans drink millions of cups of eggnog, enjoying the nostalgia, decadent flavors and boozy celebration of this historic drink. This holiday season, get inspired as you raise a glass.
Jere Cassidy is the writer and recipe developer behind the blog One Hot Oven. A passion for all things food related led her to culinary school to expand her baking skills and now to share easy recipes for all home cooks and bakers of all skill levels. When not in the kitchen, Jere’ likes to travel far and wide to find delicious food.
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