I have always wondered what is and why we drink Eggnog at Christmas.  It is one of those must-haves that completes the immersion of the holiday season experience and yet even all the minds that contribute to Wikipedia, that grand democratic repository of knowledge is unable to provide a definitive answer.  How strange that such a powerfully entrenched traditional food beverage has no clear source.

The History of Eggnog (from Wikipedia)

“The origins, etymology, and even the ingredients used to make the original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog, or a very similar drink, may have originated in East Anglia, England, though it may also have been developed from posset (a medieval European beverage made with hot milk). An article by Nanna Rögnvaldsdóttir, an Icelandic food expert, states that the drink adopted the nog part of its name from the word noggin, a Middle English phrase used to describe a small, wooden, carved mug used to serve alcohol. Another name for this British drink was Egg Flip. Yet another story is that the term derived from the name egg-and-grog, a common Colonial term used to describe rum. Eventually the term was shortened to egg’n’grog, then eggnog.

The ingredients for the drink were too expensive and uncommon for the lower classes, but it was popular among the aristocracy. “You have to remember, the average Londoner rarely saw a glass of milk”, says author and historian James Humes (To Humes It May Concern, July 1997). “There was no refrigeration, and the farms belonged to the big estates. Those who could get milk and eggs to make eggnog mixed it with brandy or Madeira or even sherry.”

The drink crossed the Atlantic to the English colonies during the 18th century. 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.”

Traditionally, eggnog adults also add a dash of rum to their eggnog.  Here is one of the best recipes we found for this mysterious and essential holiday beverage:

A Healthy Eggnog Recipe
By Hans Dekker

When it is holiday time, only one drink comes to mind: eggnog.

This healthy drink recipe is delicious and it uses soymilk instead of whole milk. It gets a completely new flavor and color with the addition of peppermint oil.

A drink fills up your tummy just before you hit the sack. Serve it warm and you will be on your way to sleepy town.

Now you can dream away while Santa does his magic.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, separated
• 2 cups soymilk
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. peppermint oil
• 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. pumpkin spice

To Make:

First, take your 4 eggs and put the egg whites into a bowl and the egg yolks into a bowl.

Put a half a cup of white sugar into each egg bowl. Beat each egg bowl slightly.

Add the heavy cream gradually to the egg whites. Keep whipping this mixture. Add vanilla to this egg bowl. Now in one medium sized bowl, combine both of the egg mixtures.

Slowly add the soymilk. Continue stirring while you are adding the milk. Eggnog would not be complete without using some ground nutmeg. This recipe adds it right into the mix and not just as a garnish on top.

This recipe also uses more spices than just traditional nutmeg. Now add ground cinnamon and pumpkin spice to the mixing bowl. Keep whipping the eggnog. Now time for a special addition to ordinary eggnog.

Add one tablespoon of peppermint oil. This gives regular eggnog more of a Christmas flavor.

Chill your eggnog in the refrigerator before serving. After it has chilled, pour the eggnog into a holiday punch bowl. Add a dash of ground nutmeg on top and a dollop of fat free whip cream before serving a glass to one your guests.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It is very important to heat to a full 175 degrees to kill any bacteria that might be in the eggs.

Hans is author of the healthy recipes section of  http://www.steaks-guide.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker
http://EzineArticles.com/?Happy-Healthy-Hollidays-with-this-Eggnog-Recipe&id=98146

Tags: alcoholic beverages, christmas, eggnog, eggs, ground nutmeg, holiday season, recipe, rum