An Investigation Into Eggnog
Why do people love it so?
Christmas is almost here. And in these parts that means the grocery stores are stocking eggnog. This story is my investigation into this odd seasonal drink. I hope it makes you smile.
Mark
Some people love eggnog. I’m married to one. This is the only time of year my wife actually likes going to the grocery store, because they have eggnog.
I never thought much about eggnog, other than to think, “Who would want to drink eggs?” Then one day, while watching my wife enjoy a glass of eggnog, I thought, “What exactly is eggnog? Why do people love it so?”
In my opinion, neither eggs nor nog (an archaic term for a small block or peg of wood) sounds like a good thing to drink.
So after a little research, I discovered that the term eggnog likely comes from an abbreviation of eggs-n-grog. Eggs, usually coming from the species of domesticated fowl known as chickens, and grog, a beverage consisting of rum mixed with water that was a staple of sailors and pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries.
I suppose after drinking heartily from a barrel of rum and singing Yo Ho Ho!, the term eggs and grog would have been difficult to pronounce. So eggnog was a more slurred-speech friendly term for the stereotypical drunken sailor.
Although pirates may have had eggs available if they brought chickens on-board, I find it hard to imagine a pirate thinking, “Yo! Let’s be putting some eggs in our grog, maties!” Unless they had been watching the movie Rocky in the ship’s theater room.
During my research, I learned that the non-alcoholic version sold in grocery stores is basically liquid custard — cream (or milk), sugar, and eggs. Spices like nutmeg or cinnamon may also be added. I personally prefer custard frozen and served on an ice cream cone.
By the way, the ice cream cone itself is an ingenious invention. An example of perfect timing and thinking outside the box (or dish) by Ernest Hamwi. At the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the ice-cream vendor next to Hamwi’s waffle cart ran out of dishes for his ice cream. Ernest rolled up some of his waffles to hold the ice cream, and an industry was born.
It is not uncommon for brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon to be added to the drink. Possibly to dull the senses so you won’t think about drinking eggs.
After completing my investigation, I can only conclude that the answer to why people love eggnog is as simple as, the way it tastes. It is liquid “ice cream,” after all.
Perhaps I put too much thought into eggnog. Maybe more than the people who drink it.
The world is full of wonderful every-day mysteries.
Cheers Mark, I've always wanted to know what eggnog was - might be brave enough to try it now!
Great piece, Mark. You brought a few memories to mind.
I loved eggnog when I was a kid, before I learned about the pirates in my ancestry. Then I learned about nutmeg which was the real draw. And then I learned about adding rum. But then it occurred to me that would be a waste of rum. Why not just drink the rum? And so on.
Merry Christmas!