Eggnog, the creamy classic co*cktail, is an essential part of the winter holidays. The recipe can vary depending on who’s making it, but the basic formula consists of eggs, sugar, milk and cream, plus a spirit. For the latter, most people turn to bourbon, rum or brandy, and some even elect to combine a couple spirits for oomph. Whichever route you choose, the potency of this drink will put a little more cheer in your holidays.
Eggnog has a rich history with a lot of competing claims as to the origin of the drink, many of which get lost in an etymological debate. It’s possible the word derives from an Old English term for strong beer. Or maybe it comes fromnoggin, an outdated word used to describe a small cup. Or perhaps the name aligns with grogs, the term given to a variety of alcoholic drinks.
That said, it’s believed that the first known use of the word “Eggnog” dates to around 1775, but it’s likely that the drink itself—or a version of it—preceded the term by a couple hundred years. And there seems to be consensus that Eggnog as we know it today is a culinary descendant of Posset, a warm ale punch with eggs that was consumed by European monks as far back as the 13th century.
In Europe, ale was eventually replaced by sherry. By the time the drink reached American shores, colonists replaced sherry with what they had on hand: rum, rye whiskey and brandy. Those early iterations of the co*cktail had staying power, and today, Eggnog is still widely consumed throughout the U.S. and even into Canada. It’s especially popular during the holiday season and can be consumed hot or cold, per the drinker’s preference—and perhaps depending on how brisk the weather outside is.
Regardless of the co*cktail’s origin or which spirit is best suited to the creamy mixture, everyone can agree on this: Eggnog is a universally delicious beverage with the capacity to improve any holiday gathering. And because it’s a good candidate for large batches, you’ll have plenty to keep everyone happy.
Serves 4.
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3 tablespoons of the sugar until fluffy.
Stir in the milk, heavy cream and your spirit of choice.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until soft peaks form.
Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture.
Divide between four rocks glasses or punch or tea cups.
Garnish each with freshly grated nutmeg.
Raw Egg Warning
Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.
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FAQs
“Think what's in it: heavy cream, milk, sugar, whipped eggs and alcohol.” And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.
What is the best store bought eggnog to spike? ›
Best Eggnog to Spike: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
It's not all that surprising that the team behind Southern Comfort whiskey knows how to make a booze-friendly eggnog. “This is thick, rich and pleasantly sweet thanks to baking spices,” one editor said.
What is the very best alcohol to put 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.
Why do Americans love 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. Today, people around the world enjoy it, often putting regional spins on the recipe.
Is eggnog healthy for your heart? ›
Eggnog is loaded with saturated fat and sugar. It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.)
Why does my stomach hurt after drinking eggnog? ›
Skip the eggnog
It can contain two things that may make you gassy: milk and alcohol. Milk is a direct source of sulfate. When you eat or drink high amounts of sulfate, the bacteria in your colon produce more gas, and it's not odorless. Alcohol can irritate your stomach, make you feel bloated, and cause discomfort.
Which eggnog is best? ›
The Best Eggnog: Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog
“It has a lovely golden color with small flecks of grated nutmeg,” says Mark Neufang in the Test Kitchen. While only a sprinkling is used, even in homemade recipes, this baking spice really makes this Christmastime drink taste like the holiday season.
Why do they stop selling eggnog? ›
Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.
Does eggnog get better with age? ›
The unanimous verdict: Alongside a fresh batch, which tasted comparatively boozy and harsh, our aged nog went down more smoothly. To age your favorite eggnog recipe, be sure to use 1 1/2 ounces of 80 proof liquor for every egg, and leave out the dairy until serving.
What alcohol gets you drunk the fastest? ›
Highly concentrated beverages, like vodka and gin, are absorbed faster by your body. It also absorbs fizzy and bubbly drinks, like champagne or soda mixes, quicker than other drinks. How fast you drink: Chugging rather than sipping will increase your BAC faster and cause you to feel drunker.
How to Spike Store-Bought Eggnog. Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.
What do you call eggnog with alcohol? ›
"Tom and Jerry is a form of hot eggnog [co*cktail] that was once popular." The Tom and Jerry was invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, using brandy and rum added to eggnog and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. It is a traditional Christmastime co*cktail in the United States.
Why is eggnog so addictive? ›
The role of sugar in eggnog
Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.
Are there any benefits to drinking eggnog? ›
Eggnog Has Some Redeeming Qualities
(Compare that with a large egg, which has 7 grams of protein.) You'll also get between 10 and 20 percent of the 1,300 mg Daily Value for calcium and 2 to 6 percent of the 4,700 mg Daily Value for potassium, which helps keep blood pressure in check.
Why you should be careful with that eggnog? ›
Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe.
How much eggnog can a person drink? ›
A Serving of Eggnog Is Smaller Than You Think
But for eggnog, the serving size on the nutrition facts panel is just a half-cup.
What makes eggnog so addictive? ›
The role of sugar in eggnog
Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.
Why do I love eggnog so much? ›
Despite the name, the taste of eggnog isn't very eggy. That might be because the main ingredient isn't just whipped egg white, it's actually whole milk or cream. The reality is, the best eggnog actually tastes quite a bit like melted ice cream.
How to tell if eggnog has gone bad? ›
If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.
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