By Leigh O’Connor.
Ah, eggnog. The holiday beverage that divides households faster than fruitcake and ugly sweaters combined. Some people wait all year to guzzle it down by the jugful; others would rather lick a battery than sip this frothy mix of milk, eggs, sugar and spice. Whether you love it or loathe it, eggnog has one seriously saucy history.
Let’s crack this one open (pun absolutely intended):
From Medieval Monks to Merry Gentlemen
Our story begins in Medieval England, where monks were living their best lives - praying by day, sipping ‘posset’ by night. Posset was a hot milk drink curdled with ale or wine and flavoured with spices.
Sounds glamorous, right? Eventually, the rich started adding eggs (because nothing says "I’m wealthy” like having chickens that aren’t dinner) and swapping ale for the good stuff: sherry or brandy.
By the 13th Century, eggnog’s ancestors were all the rage among the upper class. Eggs, milk and spices were luxury items, so this rich, creamy drink became a sort of status symbol - a Medieval version of posting your yacht on Instagram.
Crossing the Pond (with a Kick)
Fast forward a few hundred years and the drink made its way to the New World with English settlers. Here’s where things get interesting: in the American colonies, milk, eggs and rum were cheap and plentiful. Suddenly, eggnog wasn’t just for the lords and ladies - it was for everyone.
The colonists swapped out the expensive brandy for rum, which was flowing in from the Caribbean and just like that, a star was born. Americans made eggnog their own, cranking up the booze and serving it in enormous quantities.
George Washington even had his own recipe, loaded with rum, sherry, whisky and brandy - the Founding Father clearly didn’t mess around.
The Great Eggnog Riot (Yes, Really)
You might think eggnog is just a cosy, harmless holiday treat, but in 1826 it literally caused a riot. At the US Military Academy at West Point, cadets smuggled in whisky to spike their Christmas nog - a big no-no at the time.
The party spiralled into chaos, furniture was smashed, windows shattered and at least 20 cadets were court-martialled. The event went down in history as ‘The Eggnog Riot’, proving once and for all that nothing brings out true chaos like forbidden booze and festive cheer.
Modern Nog: A Love-Hate Affair
Today, eggnog is as polarising as ever. Supermarkets start stocking it in November and every year, debates rage: is it deliciously nostalgic or just sweetened pancake batter in disguise? Vegans have joined the fray with ‘nog’ made from almond, oat, or soy milk - a modern twist that keeps the tradition alive, minus the chickens.
So, the next time you sip (or studiously avoid) a glass of eggnog, remember: this creamy concoction has survived centuries of class divides, colonial boozing and literal riots. Love it or hate it, eggnog has earned its place in the holiday hall of fame - one frothy, tipsy cup at a time.
