About Eggnog

Eggnog has been a holiday drink for as long as anybody can remember, but few people know how it came to be this way. It's easy to experiment with different variations of eggnog to find out which is kindest to your taste buds. Even George Washington came up with his own special, highly alcoholic recipe.

History

Most theories behind the origin of eggnog center on Europe and colonial America. One theory is that Europeans first created eggnog by adding wine or sherry to the drinks they made out of eggs and milk to make their dairy products last longer in the absence of refrigeration. Most theories about the name, however, claim that colonial Americans were the first to coin the term "eggnog." One such theory is that colonial Americans added rum to their eggnog, which was then called "grog." The theory is that the drink was originally called "egg-and-grog," which became "egg-n-grog," which became "eggnog." Another theory comes from the fact that small wooden mugs used in taverns were called "noggins" and that putting an egg drink into a noggin soon gave way to the name "eggnog." Another interesting history tidbit: George Washington concocted his own recipe for eggnog that included rye whiskey, brandy, rum and sherry.

Variations

There are various types of nonalcoholic and alcoholic eggnogs. Most variations of nonalcoholic eggnog will change the amounts of sugar or cream that are put into the eggnog to create varying levels of sweetness or thickness. Garnishes are important as well. Some people choose to use no garnish, while others choose to sprinkle a little nutmeg or cinnamon on top. Some people even add a candy cane to stir their eggnog and add a little mint to the flavor. Alcoholic eggnog can be changed in the same way, and can also vary depending on what type of alcohol is used. Bourbons and brandies are popular choices, but some people add rum, whiskey or wine to their eggnog as well.

Brands

Various Eggnog Brands

Most companies that produce dairy products will also produce eggnog when it is in season. Though eggnog that you buy in the store will usually be nonalcoholic, you can easily turn it into an alcoholic drink. Some examples of common eggnog brands include Southern Comfort, Farmland Dairies, Organic Valley, Horizon and TG Lee.

Seasonal Significance

Eggnog is most commonly sold during the winter season, and is popularly associated with Christmas. In many places, eggnog continues to be a very popular drink on New Year's Eve as well. It has always been a tradition to toast to peoples' good health on Christmas with eggnog. However, why eggnog became a Christmas-only drink is a mystery that even the American Egg Board can't answer.

Ingredients

Usually basic, nonalcoholic eggnog will consist of eggs, sugar, milk, cream, vanilla and nutmeg. However, a variety of other ingredients can be included to change the flavor and healthiness of the eggnog. For instance, eggs and cream can be substituted with instant vanilla pudding to cut down on cholesterol. Adding icing sugar can make eggnog much richer and sweeter. And of course, adding your favorite bourbon or brandy to the eggnog gives it a kick to warm you up during the wintertime.

References

• Egg Board Stumped On Christmas Link to Eggnog
• History of Eggnog

Resources

• Taste Test Results of Different Eggnog Brands
• George Washington's Eggnog Recipe
• Eggnog recipes