What Country Did Eggnog Originate From? (2024)

Eggnog is a drink that stirs up memories for most people, and you either love it or hate it. However you feel about it personally, it's hard to deny that it is embedded in holiday traditions. It's been that way for centuries, and the drink has taken on many spiked and nonalcoholic variations as it traveled the world.

The exact origins of eggnog are unknown. It has 13th-century English roots, developed into a beverage for aristocrats, and found its home as an essential Christmas drink in colonial America. Eggnog remains a popular co*cktail, and its story is as fascinating as the drink itself.

20 Best Holiday Eggnog co*cktail Recipes

Why Is it Called Eggnog?

The word eggnog may not have much appeal. The guttural sound and thought of drinking eggsare enough to make some people back away. There are differing opinions as to how it took on the now-famous name.

One story claims that eggnog derives from "nog," an Old English word for strong beer. There's also the possibility that it derived from"noggin," a word for a small cup used in the 16th century. Another version attributes the name to American colonists who referred to thick drinks as "grogs"and eggnog as "egg-and-grog." By the time it appeared in print, the words were mashed together to create "eggnog" (sometimes "egg nogg" or "egg-nog").

The First Printed Uses of Eggnog

Eggnog may have been in use earlier, but the first known written uses of the word didn't occur until the late 1700s. The earliest is in a poem written by Maryland minister (and close friend of George Washington) Jonathan Boucher around 1774, though it wasn't published until 30 years later. In the press, one of eggnog's first appearances was in a 1788 New-Jersey Journal article. It describes a young man with a voracious appetite who enjoyed "thirty raw eggs, a glass of egg nog, and another of brandy sling."

Where Did Eggnog Originate?

It is believed that eggnogbegan in Europe. As early as the 13th century, medieval monks in Britain were known to drink"posset," a warm ale punch with eggs and figs. Over time, this likely merged with thevariousmilk and wine punchesoften served at social gatherings.

By the 17th century, sherry became the primary ingredient, and it was popular to use this eggy beverage as a toast to one’s health and prosperity. The aristocracy primarily consumed it because milk, eggs, and sherry were scarce commodities in Europe at the time.

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When the brew made it to the American colonies, it took on a whole new taste and popularity. The rum that American colonists could get from the Caribbean was considerably less expensive than the brandy, other liquors, and wine shipped from England. And so, along with the readily available supply of milk and eggs in the colonies, the rum version quickly became a drink for people of all classes.

When Did Eggnog Become a Christmas Tradition?

As a rich and often alcoholic drink, eggnog became a familiar fixture during the holiday season across the colonies and, eventually, the new country of the United States in the 1700s. Eggnog was frequently made without alcohol, and each region would adapt the drink to their personal tastes.In the South, for instance, people tended to preferwhiskey over rum.

It's said that George Washington devised his own recipe and that only the most courageous guests would partake. One popularly attributed recipe to the first President was a boozy batch of brandy, rye whiskey, Jamaican rum, and sherry. However, according to "The Old Farmer's Almanac" (and librarians at Mount Vernon), no eggnog recipe was found in the Washington family's archive. It's likely a 19th-century recipe.

In the early days, eggnog was served warm. By the time "Professor" Jerry Thomas printed the first bartending guides in the late 1800s, eggnog was enjoyed cold as well. In the 1887 printing of "The Bar-tender's Guide," it's noted that "hot egg nogg" was "very popular in California" while the others were served over ice or cooled in a tub of ice. The recipes used brandy and rum or Madiera wine, sherry, or hard cider.

Countries all over the world have versions of eggnog:

  • In Poland, Jewish communities have long enjoyed kogel mogel.
  • In Germany, eierlikör is a popular homemade egg liquor.
  • In Puerto Rico, coconut juice or milk was added. Today, the eggs are typically left out and the drink is calledcoquito.
  • In Mexico, eggnog became rompope with Mexican cinnamon, vanilla, and either rum or grain alcohol.
  • In Peru, it is made with the Peruvian brandy, pisco.

Eggnog in the Modern World

The basic formula for eggnog has not changed over the years: eggs arebeaten with sugar, milk, cream, and (often) a distilled spirit or fortified wine. Still a favorite for holiday parties, there are several modern renditions of the classic eggnog recipe, and they can be quite fun and unique. It is a fantastic base for experimentation, and everything from additional spices to tequila has been added to the eggy co*cktail. There are even delicious vegan eggnogs.

No matter whicheggnog you choose to serve, it is sure to be a winner with most (admittedly, not all) of your holiday guests. However, for those who wish to go nog-less, there are many other spirited holidaydrinks that are sure to be a hit and lift anyone's holiday spirits.

Gingerbread Eggnog

What Country Did Eggnog Originate From? (2024)

FAQs

What country did eggnog originate from? ›

It is first attested in medieval England in the 14th century. Although the treat originated in Britain, the term eggnog first appeared in Britain's North American colonies—soon to be the United States—in 1775.

What is the history of eggnog in Baltimore? ›

In the great city of Baltimore it was a tradition for young gents to call upon all of their friends on New Years day. At each home they would toast the day with a cup of eggnog: a round of drinks that—depending on the size of one's social network—could be particularly difficult to finish.

Is eggnog European? ›

Eggnog is rumored to originate in Europe. As early as the 13th century, monks in Britain drank milk wine made with eggs and figs. Later, various versions have evolved, with different milk and alcohol as drinks for social occasions.

Do they sell eggnog in the UK? ›

Martell eggnog | Sainsbury's. Select an option: Christmas. Beef, lamb and pork.

Which country created the eggnog Christmas quiz? ›

England

Where did eggs originate? ›

According to food historians, humans have been eating eggs for about 6 million years, originally eating them raw from the nests of wild birds. Jungle birds were domesticated for egg production in India by 3200 BC, and it is thought that Ancient Egypt and Ancient China were the first societies to domesticate hens.

What city is named eggnog? ›

Eggnog, Utah, is located in Garfield County and is believed to be named after the beverage served to ranchers there.

What state drinks the most eggnog? ›

The top eggnog-drinking states, compared to Florida, are:
  • Vermont: 19.
  • Alaska: 14.
  • Iowa/Oklahoma: 8.
  • Florida: 6.

What is in Pennsylvania eggnog? ›

Our award-winning Egg Nog is a decadent blend of dairy cream, rum, eggs, brandy and blended whiskey.

What is rum and milk called? ›

The Milk Punch is a classic co*cktail that traditionally combines brandy or rum with sugar, vanilla extract and milk (of course). Its history is extensive, dating to at least the 1600s, when the recipe first appeared in print.

What alcohol is in eggnog? ›

Eggnog is typically made with rum, brandy or bourbon, and Brown likes to start with a combination of dark rum and cognac. But there's no need to go premium; he recommends using an affordable, high-proof VS cognac. The higher alcohol level will cut through the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.

What is eggnog called in France? ›

English settlers brought the drink with them across the Atlantic to what is now the United States and Canada, where French speakers call the drink “lait de poule,” or chicken's milk.

Why is eggnog so expensive? ›

Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.

What is eggnog called in Scotland? ›

In Scotland Christmas is a low key celebration with a build up to New Years, called Hogmanay, the biggest party of the year, raising a glass (or two) of Aud Man's Milk in celebration.

What do British people call eggnog? ›

Advocaat + Eggnog = Advonog The British call it Advocaat, the Americans called it Eggnog, put together we get Advonog. Turns out whatever side of the pond you're from, both are wrong. It's a Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy and they call it Advocatenborrel.

How did eggnog start a war? ›

Let the Eggnog Riot Begin

On Christmas Eve 1826, at least 70 cadets got rip-roarin' drunk on eggnog, assaulted two officers and nearly destroyed the North Barracks. They broke windows, threw furniture, shattered plates and even tore banisters from stairways.

Why do Americans like eggnog? ›

The drink's wintry spices, and the preference for serving it hot, made nog a Yuletide mainstay. As milk, eggs, sugar and rum became more affordable and abundant, eggnog became accessible to everyday Americans.

What's the difference between eggnog and rompope? ›

Even though the kingship between rompope and eggnog is indisputable, there is a slight difference between these two hearty drinks: The traditional eggnog recipe called for whole eggs, whereas rompope just called for egg yolks—hence the very distinctive hues of each drink.

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