Eggnog
Encyclopedia
Eggnog, or egg nog, is a sweetened dairy
-based beverage traditionally made with milk
and/or cream
, sugar
, beaten egg
s (which gives it a frothy texture), and liquor. Brandy
, rum
, moonshine
, or whisky
are sometimes added; and the finished serving would be garnished with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon
or nutmeg
.
Eggnog is a popular drink throughout the United States
and Canada
, and is usually associated with winter celebrations such as Thanksgiving
, Christmas
, and the New Year
. Commercial non-alcoholic eggnog is typically available only in the winter season. Eggnog may be added as a flavouring to food
or drink
s such as coffee
and tea
. Eggnog as a custard
can also be used as an ice cream
base.
, and the ingredients used to make the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog may have originated in East Anglia
, England
; or it may have simply developed from posset
, a medieval Europe
an beverage made with hot milk. The "nog" part of its name may stem from the word "noggin", a Middle English
term used to describe a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol. However, the British drink was also called an Egg Flip
(from the practice of "flipping" (rapidly pouring) the mixture between two pitchers to mix it).
Another story is that the term derived from "egg and grog", a common Colonial
term used for the drink made with rum
. Eventually that term was shortened to "egg'n'grog", then "eggnog".
In Britain, the drink was popular mainly among the aristocracy; dairy products and eggs were rarely consumed by the lower classes due to their high cost and lack of refrigeration. Those who could get milk and eggs mixed it with brandy
, Madeira
or sherry
to make a drink similar to modern alcoholic egg nog.
The drink crossed the Atlantic
to the English colonies during the 18th century. Since brandy and wine were heavily taxed, rum from the Triangular Trade
with the Caribbean
was a cost-effective substitute. The inexpensive liquor, coupled with plentiful farm and dairy products, helped the drink become very popular in America. When the supply of rum to the newly-founded United States was reduced as a consequence of the American Revolutionary War
, Americans turned to domestic whiskey, and eventually bourbon in particular, as a substitute.
s, usually nutmeg
. Cream may be included to make a richer and thicker drink, though some modern eggnogs add gelatin
. Vanilla
is a common flavouring, with grated nutmeg sprinkled on top. Other toppings may be whipped cream
, meringue
, cinnamon, ice cream, and chocolate
curls.
Eggnog can be homemade from recipe
s. Ready-made eggnog versions are seasonally available and may contain whiskey, rum, brandy, bourbon, or cognac
. Since the 1960s, eggnog has often been served cold and without spirits, both of which are significant departures from its historical origins.
Though eggnog is high in fat and cholesterol, low-fat and no-sugar formulations are available using skimmed or lowfat milk. Some North American manufacturers offer soy, rice or coconut milk-based alternatives for vegans and those with dairy allergies
.
Under current U.S. law, commercial products sold as eggnog are permitted to contain milk, sugar, modified milk ingredients, glucose-fructose, water, carrageenan
, guar gum
, natural and artificial flavourings, spices (though not necessarily nutmeg), monoglycerides, and colouring
s. The ingredients in commercial eggnog vary significantly, but generally raw eggs are not included.
to avoid potential hazards from raw eggs; eggnog has much in common with classic custard-pudding recipes that do not call for corn starch, and many eggnogs can also be cooked into egg-custard puddings.
In the home and in restaurants, alcohol free eggnog can be made more safely by using pasteurized eggs
although this often results in a less frothy mixture.
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
-based beverage traditionally made with milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
and/or cream
Cream
Cream is a dairy product that is composed of the higher-butterfat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, over time, the lighter fat rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream this process is accelerated by using centrifuges called "separators"...
, sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, beaten egg
Egg (food)
Eggs are laid by females of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and have probably been eaten by mankind for millennia. Bird and reptile eggs consist of a protective eggshell, albumen , and vitellus , contained within various thin membranes...
s (which gives it a frothy texture), and liquor. Brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
, moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
, or whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
are sometimes added; and the finished serving would be garnished with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
or nutmeg
Nutmeg
The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia...
.
Eggnog is a popular drink throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and is usually associated with winter celebrations such as Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, and the New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
. Commercial non-alcoholic eggnog is typically available only in the winter season. Eggnog may be added as a flavouring to food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
or drink
Drink
A drink, or beverage, is a liquid which is specifically prepared for human consumption. In addition to fulfilling a basic human need, beverages form part of the culture of human society.-Water:...
s such as coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
and tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
. Eggnog as a custard
Custard
Custard is a variety of culinary preparations based on a cooked mixture of milk or cream and egg yolk. Depending on how much egg or thickener is used, custard may vary in consistency from a thin pouring sauce , to a thick pastry cream used to fill éclairs. The most common custards are used as...
can also be used as an ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
base.
History
The origins, etymologyEtymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
, and the ingredients used to make the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog may have originated in East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
; or it may have simply developed from posset
Posset
A posset was a British hot drink of milk curdled with wine or ale, often spiced, which was popular from medieval times to the 19th century...
, a medieval Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an beverage made with hot milk. The "nog" part of its name may stem from the word "noggin", a Middle English
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
term used to describe a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol. However, the British drink was also called an Egg Flip
Flip (cocktail)
A flip is a class of mixed drinks. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was first used in 1695 to describe a mixture of beer, rum, and sugar, heated with a red-hot iron . The iron caused the drink to froth, and this frothing engendered the name...
(from the practice of "flipping" (rapidly pouring) the mixture between two pitchers to mix it).
Another story is that the term derived from "egg and grog", a common Colonial
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
term used for the drink made with rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
. Eventually that term was shortened to "egg'n'grog", then "eggnog".
In Britain, the drink was popular mainly among the aristocracy; dairy products and eggs were rarely consumed by the lower classes due to their high cost and lack of refrigeration. Those who could get milk and eggs mixed it with brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, Madeira
Madeira wine
Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands. Some wines produced in small quantities in California and Texas are also referred to as "Madeira", or "Madera", although those wines do not conform to the EU PDO regulations...
or sherry
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez , Spain. In Spanish, it is called vino de Jerez....
to make a drink similar to modern alcoholic egg nog.
The drink crossed the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
to the English colonies during the 18th century. Since brandy and wine were heavily taxed, rum from the Triangular Trade
Triangular trade
Triangular trade, or triangle trade, is a historical term indicating among three ports or regions. Triangular trade usually evolves when a region has export commodities that are not required in the region from which its major imports come...
with the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
was a cost-effective substitute. The inexpensive liquor, coupled with plentiful farm and dairy products, helped the drink become very popular in America. When the supply of rum to the newly-founded United States was reduced as a consequence of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, Americans turned to domestic whiskey, and eventually bourbon in particular, as a substitute.
Ingredients
Traditional eggnog typically consists of milk, sugar, raw eggs, and spiceSpice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
s, usually nutmeg
Nutmeg
The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia...
. Cream may be included to make a richer and thicker drink, though some modern eggnogs add gelatin
Gelatin
Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, brittle , flavorless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside animals' skin and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar...
. Vanilla
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, Flat-leaved Vanilla . The word vanilla derives from the Spanish word "", little pod...
is a common flavouring, with grated nutmeg sprinkled on top. Other toppings may be whipped cream
Whipped cream
Whipped cream is cream that has been beaten by a mixer, whisk, or fork until it is light and fluffy. Whipped cream is often sweetened and sometimes flavored with vanilla, in which case it may be called Chantilly cream or crème Chantilly ....
, meringue
Meringue
Meringue is a type of dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar, occasionally some recipes may call for adding an acid such as cream of tartar or a small amount of vinegar and a binding agent such as cornstarch found in icing sugar which may be added in addition to the corn starch which...
, cinnamon, ice cream, and chocolate
Chocolate
Chocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
curls.
Eggnog can be homemade from recipe
Recipe
A recipe is a set of instructions that describe how to prepare or make something, especially a culinary dish.-Components:Modern culinary recipes normally consist of several components*The name of the dish...
s. Ready-made eggnog versions are seasonally available and may contain whiskey, rum, brandy, bourbon, or cognac
Cognac (drink)
Cognac , named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime....
. Since the 1960s, eggnog has often been served cold and without spirits, both of which are significant departures from its historical origins.
Though eggnog is high in fat and cholesterol, low-fat and no-sugar formulations are available using skimmed or lowfat milk. Some North American manufacturers offer soy, rice or coconut milk-based alternatives for vegans and those with dairy allergies
Milk allergy
A milk allergy is a food allergy, an adverse immune reaction to one or more of the constituents of milk from any animal...
.
Under current U.S. law, commercial products sold as eggnog are permitted to contain milk, sugar, modified milk ingredients, glucose-fructose, water, carrageenan
Carrageenan
Carrageenans or carrageenins are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. There are several varieties of carrageen used in cooking and baking. Kappa-carrageenan is used mostly in breading and batter due to its gelling nature...
, guar gum
Guar gum
Guar gum, also called guaran, is a galactomannan. It is primarily the ground endosperm of guar beans. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. It is typically produced as a free-flowing, pale, off-white-colored, coarse to fine ground powder.-Production:Guar gum is an...
, natural and artificial flavourings, spices (though not necessarily nutmeg), monoglycerides, and colouring
Food coloring
Food coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...
s. The ingredients in commercial eggnog vary significantly, but generally raw eggs are not included.
The eggnog-custard connection
Some recipes for homemade eggnog call for egg yolks to be cooked with milk into a custardCustard
Custard is a variety of culinary preparations based on a cooked mixture of milk or cream and egg yolk. Depending on how much egg or thickener is used, custard may vary in consistency from a thin pouring sauce , to a thick pastry cream used to fill éclairs. The most common custards are used as...
to avoid potential hazards from raw eggs; eggnog has much in common with classic custard-pudding recipes that do not call for corn starch, and many eggnogs can also be cooked into egg-custard puddings.
Safety concerns
For concerns about the safety of selling products made from raw eggs and milk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has changed or altered the definition of eggnog a number of times towards artificial replacements for the large number of eggs traditionally required. Modern FDA regulations permit eggnog to contain less than 1% egg yolk solids and "milk or milk products."In the home and in restaurants, alcohol free eggnog can be made more safely by using pasteurized eggs
Pasteurized eggs
Pasteurized eggs are eggs that have been pasteurized in order to reduce the possibility of food-borne illness in dishes that are not cooked or lightly cooked...
although this often results in a less frothy mixture.
See also
- Ponche cremaPonche CremaPonche crema is a Venezuelan cream-based liqueur. Recipes vary depending on the region, but main ingredients typically include milk, eggs, sugar, rum, and other minor ingredients such as vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon rind. A variant type is prepared with concentrated liquid coffee or instant...
- Kogel mogelKogel mogelA Kogel mogel, Gogl-Mogl, Gogel-Mogel or Gogle-mogle is an egg-based homemade dessert popular in Eastern Europe made from egg yolks, sugar, and flavourings such as honey, cocoa or rum. In its classic form it is served slightly chilled or at room temperature. Served warm, it is considered a home...
- Soda sữa hột gà
- AdvocaatAdvocaatAdvocaat is a rich and creamy liqueur made from eggs, sugar and brandy. It has a smooth, custard-like flavor and is similar to eggnog. In English-speaking countries it generally contains 15% alcohol , but in Continental Europe the typical alcohol content differs from country to country and is...
- ZabaglioneZabaglioneZabaione , is an Italian dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, a sweet wine , and sometimes whole eggs. It is a very light custard, which has been whipped to incorporate a large amount of air. Zabaglione is traditionally served with fresh figs...
- CoquitoCoquitoCoquito is an eggnog-like alcoholic beverage traditionally served in Puerto Rico. It is made with egg yolks, rum, coconut milk, coconut cream, sweet condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves...
- EierpunschEierpunschEierpunsch is the German name given to a warm, sweetened alcoholic, egg-based drink similar to eggnog . It is commonly a winter drink and can be found served in the popular Christmas markets of Germany and Austria. Eierpunsch is made with egg yolks, sugar, white wine and vanilla...
- RompopeRompopeRompope is an eggnog-like drink made with eggs, milk, and vanilla flavouring. The egg yolks impart a yellow hue to the emulsified beverage. It is a traditional drink in Mexico, where it was originally made in the convents of the city of Puebla. The word rompope is a derivation of the word rompon,...
- Cola de monoCola de monoCola de mono is a traditional Chilean drink served around Christmas time, very much like the tradition of serving eggnog during Christmas in North America...
- TamagozakeTamagozakeis a drink consisting of heated sake, sugar and a raw egg. It translates as "egg sake", being made of the kanji 卵 tamago and 酒 saké. Outside of Japan, tamagozake is sometimes referred to as sake-nog, due to its resemblance to eggnog...