‘Tis the season where households across America celebrate the holidays with soft, nostalgic mountains of white—and, no, we’re not referring to a white Christmas. It’s time to talk ‘nog! No drink is quite as synonymous with the holiday season as eggnog, but have you ever wondered how spiked dairy became the celebrated Christmas drink of choice?
‘Tis the season where households across America celebrate the holidays with soft, nostalgic mountains of white—and, no, we’re not referring to a white Christmas. It’s time to talk ‘nog! No drink is quite as synonymous with the holiday season as eggnog, but have you ever wondered how spiked dairy became the celebrated Christmas drink of choice? Here’s the scoop (or pour) on the creamy concoction that captures the holiday spirit.
Historically known as milk punch or egg milk punch, eggnog is a rich, sweet dairy-based beverage made with milk, cream, sugar and tempered eggs. This festive drink is traditionally served chilled and garnished with cinnamon or nutmeg; however, its most celebrated ingredient is often a distilled spirit—such as rum, brandy, whiskey or bourbon. Today, eggnog is also finding new life as a base in brewed coffees, teas and desserts, bringing a fun seasonal twist to classic favorites.
While the exact origin of this festive holiday drink remains somewhat ambiguous, most historians agree that eggnog began as a hot, non-alcoholic mixture in England during the 17th century. Fortunately for us, British colonists in North America added a twist in the following century, spiking it with rum to create a drink closer to what we enjoy today. When rum was scarce due to access issues or heavy taxes, colonists would substitute other spirits to keep their ‘nog properly spiked.
By the 19th century, eggnog had become so popular it turned into a holiday staple across the newly formed nation. With eggs both cheap and plentiful, eggnog became the beverage of choice for large holiday gatherings. And while premade, non-alcoholic versions are an option today, we like to focus on the classic, spirited variety.
Our traditional chilled, boozy version lets you pick your favorite spirit and makes it easy to enjoy this time-honored, delicious treat at home.
6 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar, split into ¼ and ¾ portions
1 pint whole milk
1 pint heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground nutmeg
Separate eggs into yolks and egg whites. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks and add ¼ cup of sugar until the yolks are lighter in color and the sugar is dissolved. Add milk, cream, spirit of choice and salt. Whisk together. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and remaining sugar until you have stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the bowl with your creamy mixture. Chill for three hours before serving. Top each glass with freshly ground nutmeg. Serves 10-12.
Yes! While crafting some creamy goodness from scratch can be a delightful way to get in the holiday spirit, you may not always have the time for prepping and mixing. Enter our selection of delicious premade eggnogs:
