We ask a solid food historian for answers , then we spill our secret for our good eggnog recipes .
What is in eggnog , and when did people first set off drinking it ? Depending on when you sipped it , you and your ancestors may have known this silken beverage as “ eggnog , ” “ egg peg ” ( two words ) , “ egg - nogg ” ( threefold “ g ” ) , “ milk clout , ” or " flick , " clarifiesBeth Forrest , PhD , a solid food historian and prof of liberal arts and food for thought studies at the Culinary Institute of America in New York . ( By the way , a “ flip ” is amixology termused to this day . This refers to a category of cocktail made with hard liquor , kale , and eggs that are escape from or mixed until foamy . ) concord to Forrest , the meaning of " peg " in eggnog is a spot muzzy . It might refer to " noggin , " a term for a small wooden cup or mug that dates back to the Middle Ages .
The Origins of Eggnog
“ In an 1883 issue ofThe Magazine of American History , the editors wrote that it was in Virginia manor sign of the zodiac where the ‘ great Christmas potable , eggnog ’ was invented — replacingwassail . They report that it was served in a ‘ huge silver vessel ’ and ‘ was one of the distinctive features of the time of year , as remains , and merit all the kudos that has been accorded to it as a drinkable , ’ ” Forrest tell .
While that late-1800s reference was potential among the first show instances of eggnog appearing on vacation menus , it likely was n’t the first meter eggnog recipes were made . Like so many other foods and drinks , it ’s nearly impossible to say who — and exactly when — eggnog was first created and consumed , Forrest admits .
“ The hold theory is that it descended from medieval Europe and posset . Posset is a beer or wine punch enrich with eggs , milk , or cream , with warm spices append to later on , ” Forrest state . “ It was drunk by monastic , at marriage ceremony , or before bedtime . In her bestselling 1784 cookbookThe Art of Cookery Made unpatterned and Easy , Hannah Glasse has several recipes for posset . ”
Credit: Carson Downing
One of these possets is made with sack ( aka port ) , egg , sugar , milk , and nutmeg , and the finished product is strikingly interchangeable to modernistic - day eggnog recipes . ( Psst … Ina Garten shared her touch posset recipewith us if you need to give herModern Comfort Foodrecipe a shot ! )
Eggnog and Christmas
By 1815 , eggnog was link with Christmas in the new - formed United States , Forrest excuse . One news pressman from England write that in a meeting with a writing table from President James Madison ’s cabinet , they were serve up " a spirits with which the Americans used to cover their friends on Christmas Day … called egg - nog . "
Regarding what hard drink is in eggnog , " In compound America , it would have been made with rum rather than brandy , whisky , or port . Yet , it was also quite common to serve it along withmint mint julep , sip it during lunch in the outflow , or during elections . It was only more latterly , by the mid-20th century , when eggnog became banish to the holiday time of year , " Forrest says , perhaps due to the rich nature and warm baking spices .
" While many may now think of eggnog as a seasonal indulgence , in the nineteenth century and through the first one-half of the 20th century , it appeared in many aesculapian Holy Writ as a alimental tonic for complaint and was often served to patients and soldier in recuperation , " Forrest adds .
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There ’s a quite a little we do n’t know about the history of eggnog , but " as long as you pledge with your companions ' to effective health ' at Christmas , you would be staying true to the root of the drink , " Forrest enounce .
What is in Eggnog, Exactly?
It calculate like a mug of milk , but what is in eggnog ? It ’s an photographic emulsion of eggs , whole Milk River and/or pick , sugar , and spice . Eggnog is often serve frigid but can beenjoyed warm ; the latter choice is especially cozy after a refreshful day of holiday shopping , going , sparkler skating , or snowman assemblage . Some tot up alcohol ( more on this below ) , and quick spices like nutmeg , cinnamon , and cloves are coarse .
Eggnog recipe are creamy and custard - like with a seraphic andwarmly - spiced flavor . The texture resemble a mug of melted vanilla ice cream or frozen custard more than a glass of milk . Since thisholiday drinkis very rich , a little moment go a long way . Most of our eggnog recipes below yield 1 loving cup helping .
Is Eggnog Safe to Drink?
We get it if your nutrient safety alarms buzz after seeing tender bollock include in what is in eggnog . Consuming raw eggs is not recommended for anyone with a compromised immune system , such as Old multitude , untried tike , and anyone undergoing immunotherapy . The risk of exposure for foodborne malady from salmonella is minimum for otherwise healthy population . That state , any time you plan to consume sore or undercooked eggs , theFDArecommends opt for pasteurized ballock or egg products .
How Do You Make Eggnog?
The first footmark to making eggnog is separating the egg into whites and yolks . Whip the whites into blotto peaks . Whisk the testicle yolks with sugar and salt in a disjoined bowl until the mixture lightens in color and grain .
Add milk , half - and - one-half , or cream to a saucepan over intermediate — be careful not to allow this to seethe . Once this is simmering , gradually contribute a ladle full of the strong Milk River blend to the nut yolk mixture . Whisk constantly , and once the egg egg yolk are exhaustively combined with the dairy ( this dance step prevent the eggs from curdle in the hot milk ) , sum the dairy farm - stoked egg to the saucepan and whisk broom continuously until the eggnog is loggerheaded enough to coat the back of a spoon . Reduce oestrus to moo , and addwarm spice like cinnamon , nutmeg , and clove . Lastly , gently stir in the whipped ballock White . Garnish with a panache of cinnamon , drinking chocolate powder , orpumpkin pie spiceif desired , and relish .
Alcohol-Free Eggnog
intimately every eggnog recipe bug out out spirit - gratuitous , then gets spiked with liquor before serving . Our recipes forPumpkin Eggnog , White Chocolate Eggnog , Cappuccino Eggnog , andPeppermint - Eggnog Punchshow how it ’s done .
If you ’d care to mime the feeling of a purport in your eggnog , judge adding a plash of extract . Technically flavored extracts contain a small amount of alcoholic drink ( see ourvanilla selection guidefor more detail about why ) , so if it ’s crucial to entirely steer clear , just skip this step . Otherwise , we adore infusing alcoholic drink - free eggnog with one of the following :
Optional Liquors and Liqueurs You Can Add to Eggnog
What alcoholic drink is in eggnog ? The only limit is your vision — and yourbar cart stock . Based on our tasting test , nearly any pot liquor besides tequila or mezcal works well to spike eggnog . Classic choices let in brandy , sherry , rum , Bourbon dynasty , cognac , and Madeira . We also adore Irish whiskey ( featured in ourDublin Eggnog ) and deep brown cordial ( which you’re able to essay in thisCafe Rompope , or Mexican Coffee Eggnog ) . Feel liberal to immix more than one , like we do with rum and bourbon , in this classicEggnogrecipe .
When we deal eggnog at a holiday party , we like to make alcohol - free eggnog by the batch , then correct out an array of any or all of the liquors and liqueurs below so the 21 + guests can commingle if concerned .
The Best Eggnog Food Recipes
If you prefer to rust your eggnog , our Test Kitchen pros have perfected lot of way to do just that . For breakfast , tryEggnog Muffinsalongside your coffee or teatime . After blister upsugar cooky cutouts , gingerbread , and your family ’s other seasonal favorites , round out your Christmas cookie platter withEggnog - Frosted Nutmeg Sugar CookiesandEggnog - Nut Thumbprints . Or if cakes and Proto-Indo European are more your panache , considerEggnog and Rum Fudge PieorEggnog Tiramisu .
Credit: Andy Lyons
