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It is likely to think of eggnog when it is Christmas celebrations: A favoured seasonal drink, made with milk, egg yolks and whites, spices, and often spirits.
The story of eggnog started in the Middle Ages, when Europeans drank posset, a hot milk-based alcoholic beverage flavoured with wine and spices. Later, monks developed a version of posset that included eggs and figs.
Video Credit: YouTube/Preppy Kitchen
The beverage made its way to America, where colonial farms abundantly produced the drink's primary ingredients, milk and eggs; the Caribbean trade helped the United States to increase the amount of rum production, which helped to keep the spirit readily available. George Washington, a founding father and president, loved eggnog. He served an especially alcoholic version of it at Mount Vernon. Excessive consumption even sparked the 1826 Eggnog Riot at West Point.
Today there are numerous variations on eggnog recipes, but they are all equally delicious! Based on the recipe, eggnog's ingredients can change, but generally speaking, they consist of milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. To make an eggnog cocktail alcohol is added like bourbon, brandy, or rum.
Read on to discover eight worldwide variations of this beloved holiday drink.
1. Rompope- Mexico
It is believed that ponche de huevo, or egg punch, a Spanish beverage, is the ancestor of rompope. In the 1600s, nuns atthe Santa Clara convent in Puebla, Mexico, gave it a unique twist by adding ground almonds for creaminess and flavour. The distinctive yellow hue of Rompope is a result of utilising solely egg yolks, rather than the American version's combination of yolks and whites. One can prepare it at home, but it's also available in bottles these days.
2. Advoccat- Netherlands
Although the exact origin of advocaat is unknown, one legend holds that Dutch colonialists invented it. They reportedly had a similar drink made with avocados in Brazil and recreated it back home, substituting more easily obtained eggs for the fatty fruit, which produced a similarly creamy texture. The Dutch incorporate common ingredients like eggs, sugar, and vanilla into their recipe, but their preferred alcoholic beverage is brandy or cognac. It's finished with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa. As there is no milk and a lot of egg yolks, advoccat has almost the consistency of custard; many people eat it with a spoon.
3. Aud Man’s Milk- Scotland
Since Hogmanay, which is celebrated on New Year's Eve and Day, is a bigger event in Scotland than Christmas, which wasn't even a public holiday until 1958. Scots then raise a "cup o' kindness" at that point. Auld Man's Milk, named in honour of Scotland-born poet Robert Burns's poem that became the New Year's anthem "Auld Lang Syne," is a suitable beverage for this goodwill toast. The Scottish version uses icing sugar instead of granulated sugar but still contains many of the traditional eggnog ingredients—eggs, milk, rum, and nutmeg.
4. Eierlikör- German
Similar to advocaat, eierlikör is an egg-based liqueur that is primarily consumed during Advent and Easter. It is prepared with egg yolks, sugar, and alcohol (milk is occasionally added). This is not surprising, as it is thought that a distiller on the Dutch-German border created the advocaat liqueur in the 1800s while attempting to recreate a popular avocado-based beverage among Dutch immigrants in Brazil at the time. Eggs replaced avocados as the primary thickening agent because avocados were hard to find in Europe at the time.
5. Coquito- Puerto Rico
Given its recent rise in popularity in the United States, it's highly likely that people have heard of this Latin twist on eggnog. The secret of this beauty is coconut milk and coconut cream, giving the drink a deliciously tropical flavour profile. Condensed milk, vanilla, evaporated milk, and rum are additional ingredients. Every drop of coquito is infused with cosy winter spice thanks to the addition of ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks during simmering. Pour it into rocks or shot glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg.
6. Tamagozake- Japan
Although it's not a classic holiday beverage, tamagozake, or "egg sake," is a traditional cold remedy in Japan, so it fits right in during the season. The Japanese herbal remedy has become popular in the West as a cocktail known as "sake nog" or "nog-a-sake." Tamagozake is made with heated sake, sugar or honey, and raw egg blended until creamy.
7. Jamaican Eggnog- Jamaica
Jamaica, an island nation renowned for its unique rums, takes a different approach to the traditional eggnog, using ingredients like eggs, milk, dark rum, ice cream, nutmeg, and lime.
8. Bombardino- Italy
The Italian Alps are the origin of Bombardino, also known as "the bomb," a beverage that warms skiers after a day on the slopes. Today, the recipe uses egg liqueur and brandy and finishes it with whipped cream and cinnamon. Originally, the drink was made with milk, whisky, and zabaglione. Zabaglione is a custard made with sweet wine.
After managing Christmas shopping there's nothing better than sipping a delicious glass of eggnog to unwind. Eggnog is a timeless custom that deserves to be shared. Now gather all the loved ones, turn on Zoom or FaceTime, and enjoy the season!
