Do You Actually Like Eggnog??
Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink that’s creamy, spicy, and spiked. There are those that love it and look forward to it every December. And there are those who take a sip and that’s it. Learn the eggnog history and how it evolved across the Atlantic Ocean to become a European and American tradition.
Eggnog History: From Posset to Poshur to Egg-n-Grog to Eggnog
Eggnog’s First Pour
Eggnog can be rooted back as far as the Medieval Period when it was a British beverage known as posset. The drink consisted of wine or beer with cream, sugar, and egg, and then it was thickened with bread or oatmeal.
Over time posset evolved to a drink called poshur. Monks in the 13th century added spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Spices were expensive and considered a luxury so the drink rose to aristocratic status. To add to its luxurious and expensive appeal, sherry and brandy were also mixed in.
Because spices were such a luxury, the drink was saved for Christmas and the holidays. Plus, the cold months served as a natural refrigerator to keep the drink and dairy cool.
Speaking of refrigeration, this dairy drink created before its invention. So the alcohol actually helped to prevent the cream and eggs from spoiling. Further, it has been proven that alcohol kills harmful bacteria in dairy especially when made in advance.
Mixing Spirits in the Americas
When European immigrants settled into the American colonies, they brought along their traditions, food, and, of course, drinks.
The drink flourished in American because of the availability of milk and eggs from farmers. Then, instead of the heavily taxed European liquors like brandy, the non-taxed Caribbean rum was the chosen spirit mixed into the drink. In fact, the first recorded recipe of eggnog which dates back to 1775 used rum.
As for its name, the British “poshur” changed to the American “eggnog” because of perhaps multiple reasons. “Egg” is quite obvious because of the egg being one of the main ingredients. Actually, even before eggnog, the drink was called “egg-n-grog” because “grog” was a slang word for rum back in the day.
“Nog” has two references. One, “nog” or “noggin” is the name of the wood cup in which the drink was served. Also, in Old English “nog” refers to extra-strong beers.
And so the drink finally stuck with the name eggnog.
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