“Milk, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health .” Those who could afford milk and eggs and costly spirits mixed the eggnog with brandy, Madeira wine or sherry to make a drink similar to modern alcoholic eggnog.
Why do we drink eggnog?
Eggnog is believed to have descended from a drink called a “posset,” which consisted of hot curdled milk, ale or wine, and spices. ... Eggnog was particularly popular around Christmastime because of its warm temperature and the addition of flavors, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean, that embodied the winter season.
What is the story behind eggnog?
While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval Britain “posset ,” a hot, milky, ale-like drink. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. ... Eggnog became tied to the holidays when the drink hopped the pond in the 1700s.
What is so good about eggnog?
An ingredient known as pasteurized sugared egg yolk (which is also used in French vanilla ice cream mix) is added to the milk, acting as a source of eggy flavor and color. ... “For a lot of people, it’s the richness of the fat and flavor of the custard that gives eggnog its sensory appeal.”
Why is eggnog so bad for you?
But as with many holiday treats, eggnog—traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar—is loaded with calories, fat, and added sugars. And there’s an additional health concern with eggnog: If it’s made with raw eggs, it can be a food-poisoning risk .
Do you drink eggnog warm or cold?
While eggnog is often served chilled , in some cases it is warmed, particularly on cold days (similar to the way mulled wine is served warm).
Why is eggnog a seasonal drink?
In the 1700s, rum from the Caribbean was the American eggnog alcohol of choice. But it was scarce during the revolution, so it was traded out for moonshine. This might explain why it became associated with the Christmas season. It warmed up drinkers in the cold weather , and true eggnog called for expensive liquor.
Does eggnog make you drunk?
In addition to adding festive cheer to your celebrations, eggnog can certainly get you drunk — it just depends on how you like to drink it. While other drinks serve as good mixers by accident, eggnog’s natural state is actually a boozy one.
Does eggnog have raw eggs?
In most cases, yes . Most classic eggnog recipes call for raw eggs. ... If you’re the type of hostest-with-the-mostest that wants to whip a bowl of homemade eggnog, use pasteurized liquid eggs or pasteurized liquid egg whites for egg white cocktails, sold in a carton at your local grocery store, Cotton says.
Is there alcohol in eggnog?
Does eggnog actually contain eggs? Traditionally, yes. However, today’s supermarket eggnogs, which are regulated by the FDA, contain very little egg, and certainly do not contain alcohol .
Can eggnog make you gain weight?
The calories, for one thing — eggnog is the most calorie-laden beverage you’ll drink all year. Figure from 330 calories to 440 calories in a single 8-ounce glass — without whipped cream or ice cream on top, or anything else you might add. That’s more than many “weight gain ” drinks.
Why is eggnog so fattening?
“ Eggnog is high in calories and saturated fat because of the whole milk and heavy cream . It’s also loaded with sugar,” says Christy Brissette, R.D., president of 80 Twenty Nutrition. Of course, toss in a shot of rum, and you’re adding another 64 calories for a total of about 176 calories per serving.
Is eggnog healthy to drink?
Eggnog has always been a fatty drink suspect. It’s too thick and delicious to be healthy . Just one cup of store-bought eggnog has 350 calories and 149 mg of cholesterol. That’s as much cholesterol as in two double cheeseburgers, two fries, and two soft drinks.
Which brand of eggnog is the best?
- Best Overall: Horizon Organic Low Fat Egg Nog.
- Runner-up: Lucerne Dairy Farms Holiday Egg Nog.
- Runner-up: Darigold Old Fashioned Egg Nog.
- Best Vegan: Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog.
Why does eggnog make me sleepy?
Warm Eggnog
This rich and creamy drink is made of egg yolk and heavy cream, so it is very heavy on the stomach. A full stomach can also make you very sleepy. ... The mixture of heavy, warm eggnog and rum induces sleep.
Is eggnog cooked or raw?
The answer is that most store-bought eggnog actually contains cooked eggs — although not in the sense of being scrambled or fried. The pasteurization process heat-treats the mixture so that potentially harmful microorganisms (such as salmonella) are killed or reduced.
