Eggnog, the popular drink we all enjoy at Christmas, originated in East Anglia, England.

The first recorded mentions of it being in the 17th century. The name Eggnog was first recorded in the 19th century, but at the time the drink was already popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Eggnog as we know it was a variation on an old British drink called posset, a combination of hot milk, eggs and ale or wine. Mainly a drink for the aristocracy due to the inability of peasants to purchase the milk and eggs required to make it, early eggnog was often mixed with ale or brandy. This explains the origin of the nog part of the name, as noggin was a Middle English term for a strong ale. The drink was also occasionally called Egg Flip.

In the early 19th century, the drink crossed the Atlantic Ocean and became popular in America due to the greater access to dairy and eggs by ordinary citizens. Thanks to triangular trade with the Caribbean countries, rum was also very plentiful in the United States, and became the choice drink to add to eggnog rather than heavily taxed spirits imported from Europe. The name Eggnog may have developed in the USA. During colonial times, rum was referred to as grog, leading certain experts to believe the drink may have been called egg-and-grog by Americans before being shortened to the more easily pronounceable eggnog.

Over time, eggnog has become popular around the world, with small variations depending on the location. In the American South, bourbon is often used rather than brandy or rum, and in New Orleans, the richer and thicker the eggnog the better. In Puerto Rico, where eggnog goes by the name coquito, fresh coconut juice or milk is added, and rum is the liquor of choice. Mexican rompope has large amounts of Mexican cinnamon and rum or grain alcohol added to it and is drunk as a liqueur and Germans make eggnog with beer, which comes out more as an egg soup. However you enjoy your eggnog, it’s still undoubtedly one of the most popular drinks of the Christmas season.

See also:
Eggnog: A Colonial Christmas Tradition