The Complete History of Eggnog

While eggnog fits flawlessly in modern bar interiors, the history of this drink is longer than you may imagine.

The first records of a recipe similar to that of eggnog date to the 15th century, but historians believe that British monks used to drink it even earlier.

At first, eggnog wasn’t considered a Christmas drink. Instead, it was mainly used to treat illnesses, such as stomach aches and flu.

Only after the recipe arrived in America with colonialists did it become associated with holiday celebrations.

Due to such a long history, the original recipe of eggnog is hard to determine. Today, recipes vary noticeably depending on the region.

Eggnog can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, warm or cold, and feature various add-ons, but the most important ingredients remain eggs and milk.

Although eggnog was initially seen as a remedy for stomach aches, the FDA warns that consuming eggnog prepared with raw eggs is risky. For this reason, most bars nowadays serve warm eggnog.

What Is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a dairy-based drink also historically known as milk punch. It’s typically consumed during the Christmas season, though no one prohibits enjoying it at any other time!

Eggnog has yellowish-cream color and slightly spicy custard favor.

Old-fashioned non-alcoholic eggnog recipe includes milk, egg yolks, sugar, cream, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla extract.

Making eggnog requires some skill, but the result is worth it. First, milk is heated in a saucepan with spices.

Egg yolks with sugar should be whisked in a separate bowl until the mixture starts frothing. Then, hot milk is poured into the eggs.

This mixture is further heated until it thickens. The drink is served either warm or cold, generously topped with spice, heavy cream, and nutmeg.

The original alcoholic eggnog recipe is debated. However, the drink is prepared the same way as its non-alcoholic variation, and alcohol is added at the end.

The most common options in the US are wine, beer, bourbon, and rum, depending on the state.

Why “Eggnog”?

The etymology of the word “eggnog” isn’t clear to historians. However, the existing theories can provide us an insight into the original eggnog recipe.

Oxford English Dictionary states that “nog” is a “kind of strong beer brewed in East England.” It may also stem from the Middle English word “noggin,” a unique wooden mug used for serving alcohol.

Despite the apparent similarity of words “eggnog” and “nog,” some etymologists consider the word “eggnog” to be Americanism introduced in the late 18th century.

Sometimes, eggnog was called egg flip. Flip in beverage context is a whole class of drinks prepared following a technique of emulsifying cocktails using egg.

The first known flip drink was made in 1695, featuring a mixture of rum, beer, sugar, and egg. It was then heated with a hot iron, which caused the drink to froth.

Indeed, this recipe is very similar to the eggnog recipe, though the original eggnog ingredient list is often argued.

American professor Frederick Douglass, who lived in the early 20th century, believed that the word “eggnog” originated from two colonial words, “grog” and “noggin.”

As you already know, “noggin” refers to a carved wooden mug, and “grog” was the name for rum. So, possibly, eggnog was first called egg-n-grog.

Ben Zimmer, in turn, believes that the part “nog” may have roots in Old Scottish, where “nugg” was used to describe “warmed ale.”

Eggnog Origin

Most historians agree that eggnog originated from an old English drink posset, also known as poshotte, due to the similarity of recipes.

Posset was originally made with milk mixed with hot wine or ale and spices. It was mainly used as a remedy for illnesses rather than as a Christmas beverage.

The first records of posset date to the 15th century. Specifically, Russell’s Boke of Nurture issued in 1490 mentions a drink called possate, that’s made from milk and ale and helps against stomach aches and cold.

Throughout the century, posset recipe developed into a mixture of milk, eggs, spice, and sherry wine, which resembles the modern version of eggnog. Eggnog was initially a drink of the wealthy since the ingredients were expensive.

Eggnog in the US

In the 18th century, the drink was brought to British colonies and started to gain popularity.

However, ale and wine were rare in the Caribbean, so rum was used instead. Due to eggnog’s rich taste, warmth, and alcoholic content, it quickly became a holiday favorite.

When the rum supply got scarce during the American Revolutionary War, people replaced it with local bourbon and whiskey.

Legends say that George Washington was a true eggnog admirer and has invented his own recipe that only the bravest guests would partake. The recipe included brandy, whiskey, rum, and sherry.

Of course, eggs, cream, spice, and milk were also there. However, historians argue that no such recipe was found in Washington’s family archives.

According to Isaac Weld Junior, eggnog was also beloved by travelers, who took a hearty draught of the drink before pursuing their journey to prevent catching the flu.

The earliest connections of eggnog with Christmas date to 1793. The Virginia Chronicle wrote:

“On last Christmas Eve, several gentlemen met at Northampton court-house and spent the evening in mirth and festivity, when eggnog was the principal Liquor used by the company.”

By the 1820s, eggnog became an important part of Christmas celebrations. In fact, it was so popular that 1826 was marked with a so-called “eggnog riot” by West Point Military Academy young officers.

The drink was favored by the academy’s cadets, which led to the institution getting a reputation for drunkenness.

So, Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer has banned eggnog from that year’s Christmas celebration. Only alcohol-free eggnog was allowed.

Young officers were justifiably upset and purchased two gallons of whiskey and a gallon of rum. The partying began on Christmas Eve.

By 4am, the celebration was so boisterous that officers were firing guns, participating in fights, and breaking furniture. In the aftermath, ten cadets were expelled, and 19 were court-martialed.

The moral? Drink responsibly, and never prohibit military academy cadets from enjoying eggnog.

Eggnog Variations

The number of eggnog variations is genuinely astounding, which isn’t surprising for a recipe that has been around for at least six centuries.

Eggnog can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, served hot or cold, and prepared with cooked or uncooked eggs.

For instance, Tom and Jerry is an eggnog recipe that was popular in the US in the early 19t century.

It was prepared with rum and whisky and served hot in a mug or bowl. Often, vanilla extract was added to achieve a sweeter custard taste.

In Southern America, eggnog s typically made using bourbon or another type of strong, dark alcohol. In Puerto Rico, eggnog is made with coconut juice and rum – this variation is called coquito.

Mexican eggnog recipe, in turn, is called Rompope and features cinnamon and rum. In Peru, the drink is made with local brandy called pisco.

Germans prefer making eggnog with beer. It’s called “biersuppe,” which translates as “beer soup,” and cheese and cornstarch are often added to achieve a tricker texture.

Another traditional German eggnog recipe called “eierpunsch” includes white wine, cloves, black tea, lemon juice, and cinnamon.

Modern commercial eggnog producers often add gelatin to make the beverage thicker while saving on adding cream and eggs.

The FDA regulations state that a drink should contain only 0.1% of eggs of the final product weight to be classified as eggnog.

In 1981, Californian company Grain Country of Los Angeles introduced a vegan version of eggnog called Graig Nog. It contained amazake, Japanese fermented rice drink, and soy.

In addition, Graig Nog was available in strawberry and carob flavors. This drink has nearly nothing to do with the original eggnog recipe, though, as eggs and milk are the core ingredients in the drink.

Bartenders nowadays tend to experiment with alcoholic eggnog variations, adding Bailey’s liqueur, Guinness stout, or spiced rum into the drink.

Is Eggnog Safe?

Historically, the eggnog recipe includes raw eggs. This ingredient often raises health concerns, as it may cause salmonella infection and food poisoning.

Some argue that eggnog often contains alcohol, which serves as a bactericide, but the FDA states that the alcohol content in the drink is insufficient to sterilize contaminated eggs.

For this reason, most modern eggnog recipes involve heating egg and milk mixture to kill any bacteria.

Cultural Influence

Eggnog and its earlier version, posset, have earned plenty of mentions in literature, movies, and songs throughout history.

So, in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth used poisoned possets to knock guards at Duncan’s quarters unconscious.

In the children’s fantasy novel The Box of Delights, written in 1935 by John Masefield, the main hero drinks eggnog to clear his head.

Another kids’ novel published in 1953 by Clive Staples Lewis, The Silver Chair, also features mentions of eggnog.

In a historical novel, The Persian Boy, written in 1972 by Mary Renault, Alexander the Great drinks eggnog with honey, wine, and cheese.

In BBC’s 2015 dramatization of the Poldark novel series by Winston Graham, Verity Poldark says that her responsibility is serving the ill with possets.

Adolf Humborg, an Austrian painter who lived in the 19th century, depicted the process of this drink preparation in a painting called simply “Making Eggnog.”

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