Frothy, creamy eggnog is a festive favorite in
England, Canada, and America. This winter drink consists of milk, cream, sugar,
whipped egg whites, and egg yolks. There are many versions of the drink, using
alcohols like rum, brandy, whiskey, and bourbon. And, it often is flavored with
everything from molasses to cinnamon to nutmeg to dried pumpkin. Now, there’s
even soynog or nutnog, a version of the drink made
for vegans or lactose-intolerant people. Eggnog for all!
Where did eggnog come
from?
Eggnog dates back to the Elizabethan era, and perhaps came from the
drink called posset. Posset is an old medieval British drink made with hot milk that was curdled with
wine or ale, and sometimes eggs were added to the recipe. Fun fact: Posset was
also a cold and flu remedy in the middle ages.
And, just like posset inspired eggnog . . .
eggnog seems to have inspired some other winter-y drinks, too. A Tom and
Jerry is now a regional staple for many Midwestern Christmas celebrations. This
holiday drink consists of rum, warm water or milk, beaten eggs, spices, and
sugar. Would eggnog by any other name taste as sweet . . . we think so! (Want
to read about more of the weirdest cocktail
names, check them out here!)
What’s the nog all
about?
One theory is that nog derives
from the word noggin, which was a Middle English
word for a type of mug for serving alcohol. The Online Etymology Dictionary says nog means
“strong ale.” A third theory claims that the name is derived from a
Colonial term for rum: egg-and-grog. Shortened to egg’n’grog, it then
eventually became eggnog.
Well, even though that explanation may be
confusing, what is clear is that . . . even the simplest pleasures still
contain a bit of mystery.