Drunk Christmas History: Where’d Eggnog Come From?

The conversation started off which is worse? Fruitcake or eggnog?

The ugly stepchildren of Christmas. By sheer reputation of being one of the worst things to get or give to someone for the holidays, fruitcake wins hands down. Or loses in this case. The only real memories I have of it are from when I was a kid. It came wrapped in plastic and inside a metal tin as to keep it sealed for freshness and decorative.

It was a doughy brick of cake loaded with jellied fruit and nuts from what I could tell. Was it like gingerbread? I don't even remember the last time I ate it or what it really tasted like. I just remember the experience was not good.

Sidebar, I have never seen anyone excited to receive a fruitcake nor have I been anywhere and someone speak up and say "could I have a piece of fruitcake?".

While eggnog appears to be the lesser of two evils here, it does not come without it's mysterious and polarizing baggage.

First, what is it really?

It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks (which gives it a frothy texture, and its name). In some contexts, distilled spirits such as brandy, rum, whisky or bourbon are added to the drink. (Wikipedia)

That is the first time in my life I have actively pursued and realized what eggnog is. It's legit nonstop dairy and eggs mixed together for a drink that you have to add liquor into? Well I guess you don't have to but I know my grandma loaded it up with a nip of Canadian Whiskey. I know a lot of folks who do rum.

So it's like a Christmas milkshake with liquor, cinnamon, and nutmeg?

And who decided to mix milk, raw eggs, spices and liquor together for a rip roaring good time?

Peep the video above and this hilarious one below to find out the history of "egg-n-grog"...whoops...eggnog.