I'm not sure about you, but I often wonder the history of things. I love to research everything from the history of writing instruments to foods, and I find that they all have interesting beginnings. (Ok..so I'm strange, I can live with that :)There are many beverages associated with the winter months, particularly during the holiday season. During December many of us enjoy hot apple cider, hot cocoa, and, of course, eggnog.
Drinking eggnog at Christmas is believed to go back as far as the early 1600s. It was a beverage that was common to the upper class in England during the 1800s. Eggnog is a “descendant” of a British drink called posset which contained eggs and milk with a touch of ale. It is believed that the “nog” in the word eggnog refers to a noggin, which was a wooden mug that was used to serve drinks in taverns.
There are many variations of eggnog, and each family seems to have their own secret recipe. Generally, the U.S. version of eggnog includes milk, sugar, egg yolks, and heavy cream. During Colonial times, rum was used as the alcohol.
If you're not fond of eggnog as a drink, perhaps using it in a cake would suit you. With nutmeg sprinkled throughout, it is a wonderfully fragrant and moist cake that is wonderful with tea.
Of course Christmas was not the only day upon which eggnog was popular. In Baltimore it is said that it was a tradition for young men to call on all of their friends on New Year's Day. At each of many homes the strapping fellows were offered a cup of eggnog, and so as they went, they became more and more inebriated. It was quite a feat to actually finish one's rounds.
The first U.S. President, George Washington, was quite a fan of eggnog and devised his own recipe that included rye whiskey, rum and sherry. It was reputed to be a stiff drink that only the most courageous were willing to try.
No matter how you celebrate, or what you eat or drink, we at Our Scented Cottage wish you a Happy Holiday Season and many blessings in the coming year.
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