GREENWICH, N.Y. — Eggnog is a classic Christmas beverage that is either liked or loathed. This funny-named drink has a long history in the United States and has been enjoyed by partygoers of all kinds for centuries.
For those who may not be familiar (like this author before writing this article) eggnog is a beverage made of milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks and whites. It is typically spiked with some kind of alcohol but it can be enjoyed in its non-alcoholic form too. It is believed eggnog started out as a drink called “posset” in Medieval Britain. Posset was made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or another kind of alcohol.1 Later on, eggs and other fruit, predominantly figs, were added to the concoction.2 In addition to being enjoyed as a beverage it was often used as a remedy for colds.
By the 17th century sherry became the primary ingredient in the beverage and more often than not it was consumed warm. It also became a drink that was enjoyed predominantly by the upper classes because milk, eggs, and sherry were expensive items at that time. It was customary to use posset as a drink with which to give a toast to one’s health and prosperity.3
Throughout the course of the 18th century eggnog became quite popular in the American colonies. The drink was more widely accessible in the colonies because many people had farms or easier access to dairy products and eggs than they would have had in the Mother Country.4 Americans came to add their own twist on the beverage by making it with whiskey or rum as opposed to the more expensive sherry. Whiskey was prevalent in the colonies and rum was attainable via trading ships that brought it frequently from the Caribbean.5
There is a recipe for eggnog that is attributed to George Washington, although it has never been verified definitively as his. In addition to the milk, cream, sugar, and eggs the recipe calls for one pint of brandy, ½ pint of rye whiskey, ½ pint of Jamaican rum, and ¼ pint of sherry.6 It appears Americans at that time, or at least our nation’s first president, preferred their eggnog to be quite strong!
By the mid- to late-1700s the drink was referred to as eggnog, however the origin of this name remains a mystery. One theory holds that it developed from the Old English word “nog” which was a word used to describe strong beer. Adding the egg mixture to some kind of “nog” may have formed the word. Another theory suggests that it developed from the word “noggin” which was a small wooden mug in which the drink was often served in.7 Another posits that it actually comes from the word “grog” which was used to describe thick drinks and other alcoholic beverages in colonial times. What started as “egg-and-grog” possibly evolved into today’s eggnog.8
Eggnog was established as a Christmas tradition by the early 1800s. It may have become more associated with winter because of the process to make it. Making eggnog required several days of aging and this was more easily done in the colder months since the dairy and egg ingredients would cause it to spoil more easily in the warmer months.9 While drunk mostly around Christmas time, it was also popular to drink it on Washington’s birthday (February 22nd) and on the Fourth of July.10
One of the crazy, but true moments in eggnog’s history occurred on Christmas Eve in 1826 when it led to a riot at West Point Military Academy. At that time, West Point was not the respected military school that it is known as today. In an attempt to reform and bring order to the school the superintendent, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, forbade the purchase, storage, or consumption of alcohol on the campus earlier in the year. Eggnog was traditionally drunk as part of West Point’s Christmas celebrations, however Colonel Thayer’s rule prevented this, much to the dismay of cadets.
However, some rebellious cadets were still bent on having a good time. So, an elaborate scheme was devised that involved sneaking out, crossing the Hudson River to visit a local tavern, smuggling three to four gallons worth of whiskey back into the school, and bribing a guard to “look the other way” while all this was happening. The plan unfolded smoothly and some cadets got to partying with their spiked eggnog on the night of Christmas Eve.
Suspecting that some shenanigans may take place Thayer had two officers keep a watch on things during the night. When commotion arose in some of the barracks the officers went to check out the scene and they were met by many intoxicated cadets. Their attempts to end the festivities were rebuffed by the drunken cadets. Things quickly got out of hand and soon the inebriated cadets started smashing windows and furniture, brandishing weapons, and more in order “defend themselves.” The Commandant was called and order was restored. What is now referred to as the Eggnog Riot led to the expelling of 19 cadets and even influenced the design of the campus when new barracks were built in the 1840s.11
The drink remained popular through the 19th century and recipes for it appear in some bartending guides from the 1880s. The production and retail sale of eggnog likely started in the 1940s and by the 1960s nonalcoholic eggnog sold at grocery stores became mainstream.12
Today, eggnog is still made from the same basic ingredients and enjoyed at Christmastime. Countries all over the world have their own eggnog-like drinks with various regional differences. Flavored eggnogs have become popular too. Whether you like it plain or with a little kick of some sort, enjoy it responsibly and with good company this Christmas.
1 Tori Avery, “What is the History of Eggnog?,” December 17, 2014, https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-eggnog/.
2 Colleen Graham, “The Origins of Eggnog: A Favorite Christmas Cocktail,” updated August 13, 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/origins-of-eggnog-760173.
3 Ibid.
4 Tori Avery, “What is the History of Eggnog?,” December 17, 2014, https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-eggnog/.
5 Colleen Graham, “The Origins of Eggnog: A Favorite Christmas Cocktail,” updated August 13, 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/origins-of-eggnog-760173.
6 Tasting History with Max Miller, “Eggnog: A Christmas History,” YouTube, December 2020, video, 1:15, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bsHOxQtBW4&t=472s.
7 Tasting History with Max Miller, “Eggnog: A Christmas History,” YouTube, December 2020, video, 6:20, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bsHOxQtBW4&t=472s.
8 Colleen Graham, “The Origins of Eggnog: A Favorite Christmas Cocktail,” updated August 13, 2021, https://www.thespruceeats.com/origins-of-eggnog-760173.
9 Ibid, 10:40.
10 Geoff Williams, “A Brief History of Eggnog: Its Past, Including the Infamous Eggnog Riot, is Stranger Than You Think,” November 29, 2016, https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwilliams/2016/11/29/a-brief-history-of-eggnog-its-past-is-stranger-than-you-think/?sh=1638e977763e.
11 Natasha Geiling, “Eggnog: It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Starts a Holiday Riot,” December 19, 2013, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/egg-nog-its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-starts-a-holiday-riot-180949281/.
12 Geoff Williams, “A Brief History of Eggnog: Its Past, Including the Infamous Eggnog Riot, is Stranger Than You Think,” November 29, 2016, https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwilliams/2016/11/29/a-brief-history-of-eggnog-its-past-is-stranger-than-you-think/?sh=1638e977763e.
Chandler Hansen grew up and lives in Easton, NY. He is a graduate of Gordon College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in History. He serves as a writer and editor for Morning Ag Clips.