After the fall season of pumpkin spice, apples, donuts and cider, we fall right into another season of traditional food and drink favorites. Eggnog is one of those traditional drinks that is served at Christmas and throughout the holiday season. It would seem that most people have heard of eggnog but how many have actually tasted it or know the story behind it? What is eggnog, anyway?
Some may be a little put off by the texture of this creamy (and somewhat lumpy, depending on who you ask) drink and find themselves hesitant to try it. To help you better understand how on the sweet holiday staple came to be, we’re here to give you all the frothy eggnog details. Who knows? If you haven’t tried eggnog before, you may be eager to give it a sip this season.
What Is Eggnog?
Traditional eggnog is a dessert-like drink that is made up of raw eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean. You can also add alcohol like brandy, rum, bourbon or whiskey to turn it up a notch.
What Does Eggnog Taste Like?
What makes this drink so special is the thick creamy texture that is somewhere between a custard and melted ice cream. With the sweet flavor from the sugar and the warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon, it will feel like you are sipping on dessert. You may want to grab a glass of water to have with this drink though—there are no thirst-quenching capabilities with eggnog!
Store Bought or Homemade: Which Eggnog is Best?
Although you can purchase ready-made eggnog out of the carton, making it from scratch will give you even better flavor.
Related: Seven Festive Eggnog Recipes for Holiday Parties
Where Did Eggnog Originate?
It is most likely that eggnog originated in Britain. What started out as a drink called “posset” evolved into what we know as eggnog today. Posset was a hot sweetened and spiced milk that was combined with ale or wine. In Britain, they enjoyed this drink as far back as the 13th century. Later, eggs and figs were also added to the drink.
By the 17th century, Britain made eggnog a Christmas tradition by toasting to the new season with it. It made its way to the U.S. in the 19th century and has been a Christmas tradition ever since.
How Did Eggnog Get Its Name?
There are a couple of different theories on how eggnog got its name. First, the original posset was served in noggins which were small wooden cups. So, it is thought that the egg drink in a noggin was shortened to eggnog.
Second, “grog” was a name used in colonial North America to describe a thick drink. It may have been called “egg ‘n grog” at first and then shortened to eggnog.
Why Is Eggnog a Christmas Drink?
Eggnog was mostly likely saved as a luxury for the Christmas season. We tend to enjoy all kinds of sweets when the weather gets cold. Maybe we need the extra calories to keep warm? One thing is for sure, it wouldn’t sound appealing to drink a thick and sweet beverage on a warm day!
It is also likely that the spices of nutmeg and cinnamon are reminiscent of the Christmas holiday, which made it a popular party drink.
Related: 25 Holiday Desserts You Can Make with Eggnog
Is Eggnog Safe To Drink?
Since eggnog contains raw eggs, many people wonder if eggnog is safe to drink. After all, haven’t we been told that consuming raw eggs could give us salmonella poisoning?
According to Cleveland Clinic, as long as you use pasteurized eggs in the shell, it is safe to drink. The pasteurizing process is what kills off the bacteria that can cause salmonella. Eggs that are in the shell go through a pasteurizing process that gently heats up the eggs without cooking them. It is enough to kill off any bacteria.
So, as long as you purchase eggs that are labeled pasteurized, you won’t have a problem with safety. If you purchase liquid eggs or eggnog in a carton, those have been pasteurized as well.
How To Make Eggnog
To make basic eggnog, you begin by separating the egg yolks from the whites. First, you whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl to create a natural thickener. Then, you add the milk, cream and spices. Finally, the egg whites are whipped into peaks and folded into the mixture. It’s up to you if you want to add any alcohol.
Some people like to heat the milk mixture before adding the eggs which gives the eggnog a more custard-like texture.
It is served either hot or cold and is great in a punch bowl or served in individual small glasses.
Related: How To Make Classic Cooked Eggnog
Up next: 30+ best Christmas cocktails!
