Eggnog is a descendant of the medieval British drink posset.
The next time you take a sip of eggnog, you should know you’re indulging in a centuries-old tradition that traces back to medieval Britain. This sweet concoction — made from milk, cream, sugar, spices, and eggs — is the modern descendent of posset, a fixture of festive gatherings in the Middle Ages. Posset recipes vary, but most combine wine or beer with cream, sugar, and eggs, and are topped with a thick gruel made from bread, biscuits, oatmeal, or almond paste. To separate the drink from its rich topping, it was served in specialized “posset pots,” teapot-like vessels with two handles and a spout. These unique pots were passed around at English celebrations, particularly weddings, to toast prosperity and good health.
Fact or Fib: George Washington banned eggnog from his Mount Vernon estate? * (see the answer at the end)
Several centuries later, the drink made its way to the American colonies, where it became a hallmark of holiday festivities. Colonists added rum, making it more potent, which paved the way for the modern recipe as we know it. By 1775, the term “eggnog” was part of the American English vernacular. Etymologists pose two theories about its origin. The first suggests that “nog” comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden cup, while others speculate it comes from “grog,” a strong beer. The origin of the word “posset” is more mysterious, possibly from the Latin word posca for a drink made of vinegar and water. The term endures to this day in the world of British baking, although it now refers to a cold cream-based dessert.
Numbers Don’t Lie
- Gallons of eggnog consumed annually in the U.S. – 15 million
- Eggs a hen lays annually – +/- 250
- Minimum proportion of egg yolks in store-bought eggnog – 1%
- Year Starbucks’ eggnog latte debuted – 1986
Often called “Puerto Rican eggnog,” _____________ is a festive coconut milk-based drink ** (see the answer below)
Spiked eggnog caused a “grog mutiny” at West Point
The infamous “grog mutiny” at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, is an uncharacteristically unruly chapter in the highly esteemed institution’s history — and it all started with spiked eggnog. In 1826, West Point’s annual Christmas party erupted into chaos after Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, the superintendent, banned alcohol — including eggnog — from campus.
A group of defiant cadets boated up the Hudson River to gather whiskey from a nearby town, smuggling a few gallons onto campus by bribing a guard 35 cents for reentry. Mayhem ensued as eggnog-fueled cadets sought retribution by assaulting Captain Ethan Allen Hitchcock, the officer on duty during the party. As the revelers smashed windows, broke furniture, and even drew swords, Hitchcock barricaded himself in his room, calling upon the commandant for reinforcements. The mutiny eventually dispersed, but 19 cadets and one soldier were court-martialed for their involvement in the “eggnog riot” — a holiday rebellion that’s since been cemented into West Point lore.
* It’s a Fib! – Washington seemed to embrace this tradition. Several eggnog recipes have been discovered at the estate, including one believed to be from Washington himself, which he reportedly served to guests. It includes eggs, sugar, salt, whipping cream, nutmeg, and bourbon.
** Coquito is a festive Puerto Rican coconut milk-based drink.
Rachel Gresh, Interesting Facts