Eggnog is a rich, chilled beverage traditionally made from milk, cream, sugar and whipped eggs, usually flavored with nutmeg and sometimes cinnamon or vanilla. It developed from earlier British and European hot milk and egg posset drinks and became firmly associated with the American colonies, where cheaper access to milk, eggs and rum or whiskey than in Britain helped the drink take hold as a festive favorite. Eggnog is strongly associated with Christmas and winter holiday celebrations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and is commonly served either non-alcoholic or spiked with rum, brandy, bourbon or whiskey.
Facts
Partially Attested
Origin Period, From (Year)This is the earliest documented use of the term eggnog, in a poem written by Maryland clergyman Jonathan Boucher, though the poem was not published until about thirty years after his death; the drink developed gradually from earlier British posset drinks with no single invention date. Origin Period, To (Year)This is the year of the earliest known printed use of the word eggnog. Origin Region Connections
Sources
1. Eggnog - Wikipedia
History section, earliest term usage paragraph
The first example of the term "eggnog" was in 1775, when Maryland clergyman and philologist Jonathan Boucher wrote a poem about the drink which was not published until 30 years after his death.
History section, printed usage paragraph
The first printed use of the term was in 1788 in the New-Jersey Journal of March 26, which referred to a young man drinking a glass of eggnog.
History section, American popularity paragraph
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.
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