History of Eggnog

Eggnog literally means eggs inside a small cup. It is used as a toast to ones health. Nog is an old English dialect word (from East Anglia) of unknown origins that was used to describe a kind of strong beer (hence noggin). Though first noted in the 17th century, eggnog is first mentioned in the early 19th century and was popular in both England and the U.S. Britains also referred to it as egg flip.

It all began in England, where eggnog was the trademark drink of the upper class. But it became most popular in America, where farms and dairy products were in great quantities, as was rum. Rum came to these shores via the Triangular Trade from the Caribbean; thus it was more affordable than brandy, which was heavily taxed, or other European spirits that it replaced.

An English creation, it descended from a hot British drink called posset, which consists of eggs, milk, and ale or wine. The recipe for eggnog (eggs beaten with sugar, milk or cream, and some kind of spirit) has traveled well, adapting to local tastes wherever it has landed.