Christmas Eve just got better with National Eggnog Day on December 24. You know, the drink that is only available in stores during the holiday season. A sweet beverage made from milk, sugar, spices, cream, and eggs, eggnog has been enjoyed by families a day before Christmas for centuries now. Liquor is optional for those who want to get more festive.
History of National Eggnog Day
Eggnog, also known as egg milk punch when prepared as an alcoholic drink, is a rich and creamy dairy beverage basically made by mixing cream, milk, sugar, and whipped eggs to create a frothy texture. Liquor is optional, and, once prepared, the drink is served chilled. The origins of this sweet Christmas drink are highly debated, as well as the primary ingredients used for it. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘nog’ was used to describe a type of strong beer brewed in East Anglia, England. Others argue that eggnog was developed as a beverage in medieval Europe, using piping hot milk. The first time the term was printed was in the March 26 issue of the “New-Jersey Journal” in 1788, referring to a man enjoying a glass of eggnog. Again, there is no consensus on how eggnog got its name. One theory suggests that the drink was first named ‘grog’, eventually evolving to ‘eggnog.’ Other sources claim that ‘nog’ was used in the Old English vocabulary for a strong ale. So, essentially, this means that egg and nog is a nod to any drink containing eggs and alcohol. Eggnog could possibly also have been a spin-off of the once-popular drink enjoyed by the British called posset. Made using curdled milk mixed with wine, it was often used for medicinal purposes. Later, in the 16th century, cream and a citrus base were added to the ingredients.
National Eggnog Day timeline
According to “TIME” magazine, monks would frequently consume posset
An eggnog variation named Tom and Jerry is created.
A brawl between New York cadets at a Christmas party takes place after drinking vast amounts of eggnog.
Ponche Crema is another variation of eggnog, popular in Trinidad and Venezuela.
A Utah resident named Ryan Roche is hospitalized after chugging non-alcoholic eggnog.
National Eggnog Day FAQs
What is eggnog made of?
Traditional eggnog consists of milk, raw eggs, sugar, and mixed spices.
What does eggnog taste like?
Eggnog is sweet and creamy. A glass of it tastes like custard ice cream that flows smoothly down your throat.
Why is eggnog so bad for you?
As delicious as it is, eggnog is loaded with fat and sugars. Also, if you are not careful with how you prepare it, the raw eggs in the mix could potentially lead to food poisoning, although this is rare.
National Eggnog Day Activities
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Enjoy Eggnog
Christmas is pretty much the only occasion when we indulge in eggnog. Gather your friends and family and treat yourself to this deliciously sweet drink.
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Try a different food item
If drinking eggnog is not your thing, you can always enjoy its unique flavor in ice cream or even bake a batch of eggnog cookies.
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Share it on social media
Join thousands of other people in enjoying National Eggnog Day. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalEggnogDay
5 Egg-cellent Facts About Eggnog
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George’s Marvelous Concoction
George Washington loved to prepare and serve eggnog and his personal recipe is now a permanent sensation.
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Starbucks dropped it
After Starbucks removed an eggnog latte from their holiday menu, it resulted in a backlash and countless complaints.
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Puerto Rico’s Coquito
The Puerto Ricans’ version of the eggnog is ‘coquito’ — prepared with cinnamon, coconut milk, rum, and sometimes whipped egg yolks.
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Featured on David Letterman
As part of his goofy Christmas traditions, David Letterman liked using eggnog in some of his features.
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That’s a lot of eggnog
According to Indiana University’s statistics, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of eggnog annually.
Why We Love National Eggnog Day
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Move over, Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve gets all the attention, being the night before Christmas Day. We love how National Eggnog Day shines a light on one of the best parts of Christmas Eve itself — eggnog!
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A cocktail concoction
When you think about it, eggnog is quite a unique blend. It is neither a smoothie nor a milkshake or powdered drink. It is a totally unique beverage with many ways to enjoy it, and we love it!
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Part of the holiday season
It's the little things like eggnog that all contribute to making Christmas the joyous occasion it is. Appreciating these little things preserves tradition and keeps it going for future generations to come.
National Eggnog Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 24 | Saturday |
| 2023 | December 24 | Sunday |
| 2024 | December 24 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | December 24 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | December 24 | Thursday |
