The Creamy History of Eggnog
Eggnog is a rich, creamy, sweetened dairy-based beverage that has become a beloved holiday tradition for many. But where did it originate from? The origins may surprise you.
Egg-based drinks date back centuries, with early ancestral versions popular in Europe where eggs and dairy products were more readily available. These early “possets” were hot drinks made by curdling milk with wine or ale and often mixing in eggs, spices, or even breadcrumbs.
In the American colonies, rum from the Caribbean was plentiful and inexpensive. Over time as recipes evolved, eggnog emerged as a cold, frothy mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, spices like nutmeg and vanilla, and of course – lots of rum. The name is thought to have come from the very liberal use of eggs (“egg”) and rum (“nog”).
The first eggnog recipe using that specific name appeared in the late 1700s. Eggnog quickly became tied to the holiday season and a staple at Christmas parties. As the drink spread in popularity over the next century, the amount of rum was often reduced and brands started selling milk and egg nog mixes to make preparation easier.
Today, eggnog remains a quintessential holiday drink. People enjoy experimenting with unique twists and additions like cinnamon, chocolate, espresso, or fruit flavors. However you choose to enjoy it, eggnog’s rich history only adds to its distinctive creamy flavor and ability to evoke nostalgia of holidays past. Just be sure to properly chill and stir your eggnog well before serving!
The next time you pour yourself a holiday glass, you’ll have some interesting backstory to accompany each sip. Here’s to timeless traditions!
10 Eggnog recipes
Here are 10 cozy and unique eggnog recipes (alcohol optional) to spruce up this holiday season.
Vanilla Bean Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped), 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup bourbon (optional), Nutmeg for garnish.
- Instructions: Heat milk and vanilla bean in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Whisk egg yolks and sugar until creamy. Gradually add hot milk to the egg mixture. Return to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in cream and bourbon. Chill and serve with nutmeg.
Chocolate Hazelnut Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup dark rum, Hazelnuts for garnish.
- Instructions: Warm milk and chocolate hazelnut spread in a saucepan until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar. Add the milk mixture slowly, then return to the saucepan. Cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, add cream and rum. Chill and garnish with crushed hazelnuts.
Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup spiced rum.
- Instructions: Combine milk, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice in a saucepan. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar. Mix in the milk mixture gradually. Cook over low heat until thickened. Remove, stir in cream and rum. Chill before serving.
Maple Cinnamon Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup bourbon.
- Instructions: Heat milk, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then blend with the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Remove, add cream and bourbon. Chill and serve with a cinnamon stick.
Coconut Almond Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups coconut milk, 1/2 cup almond paste, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup amaretto.
- Instructions: Warm coconut milk and almond paste. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Stir in cream and amaretto. Chill and serve with toasted coconut flakes.
Mocha Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, 2 tsp instant coffee, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup coffee liqueur.
- Instructions: Combine milk, chocolate syrup, and coffee. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Add cream and coffee liqueur. Chill and serve with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Apple Cider Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 3 cups whole milk, 1 cup apple cider, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup apple brandy, Cinnamon sticks for garnish.
- Instructions: Heat milk and apple cider. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Stir in cream and apple brandy. Chill and serve with a cinnamon stick.
Mint Chocolate Chip Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup mint chocolate chips, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup crème de menthe.
- Instructions: Melt mint chocolate chips in warm milk. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Stir in cream and crème de menthe. Chill and serve with mini chocolate chips.
Caramel Apple Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup caramel sauce, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup apple brandy, Apple slices for garnish.
- Instructions: Warm milk and caramel sauce. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add the milk mixture. Cook until thickened. Stir in cream and apple brandy. Chill and serve with apple slices and a drizzle of caramel.
Honey Lavender Eggnog:
- Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk, 2 tbsp dried lavender, 6 egg yolks, 1 cup honey, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup gin, Lavender sprigs for garnish.
- Instructions: Infuse milk with lavender and strain. Whisk egg yolks and honey, then add the milk. Cook until thickened. Stir in cream and gin. Chill and serve with a sprig of lavender.
Enjoy experimenting with these unique eggnog recipes! Remember to adjust the alcohol content according to your preference, and you can always substitute it with a non-alcoholic option if needed.
