If caroling is the sound of Christmas and freshly cut evergreens are its scent, egg yolk spikes mixed with milk make a pretty good case for holiday flavors.
Love it or hate it, eggnog is most popular this time of year. According to a YouGov survey, 25% of Americans say it’s their favorite drink during the holiday season. Eggnog is usually a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, spices and, of course, egg yolks, and spirits can be added.
Its exact origins are unknown, but culinary historians say it likely dates back to a medieval English drink called “posset.” Posset was a congealed hot he milk mixed with ale or wine.
It is believed that monks eventually added eggs and figs to the formula. This drink was most common among the upper classes, as ingredients such as milk and eggs were expensive. As such, it was used to toast to celebrate success and good health.The drink eventually made its way to the United States
Because of its seasonal spice, eggnog became associated with the holiday season, and today people primarily consume eggnog in November and December. Over the years, people have tried different variations of eggnog.
Records show that George Washington preferred a particularly strong version, with brandy, whiskey, rum and sherry all mixed together. The egg yolk can be a little annoying, but don’t worry too much.
According to the FDA, official eggnog should contain only 1% egg yolk solids. So there is a lot of room for creativity.
Happy Holidays Drinking!
How did the evergreen tree become a symbol of Christmas?
Early Christian Americans denounced the Christmas tree, calling it a pagan symbol.
learn more
Simon Kaufman wrote and produced “Morning Rush”. Prior to joining Newsy, he worked at Big Ten Network and he at NBC Sports. He’s from Colorado, but that didn’t adequately prepare him for the Chicago winter. When he’s not in the newsroom, he bikes around the city in search of the best ice cream in Chicago.
Lauren Magarino is a channel producer and host of Newsy Now, a live stream of the day’s breaking news. Before she joined her Newsy in 2018, you could find her on her KOMU-TV in Central Missouri and her CNBC. She graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism, where she earned her reporting degree in Convergence, with an emphasis on broadcasting her news on television. When her on-air lights are off, she can call her Romagus.
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