How Did Egg Nog Become Santa's Favorite Drink? - NC Egg Association (2024)

FAQs

How did eggnog get associated with Christmas? ›

Monks in the Middle Ages added figs and eggs to this beverage they called “posset,” essentially an aromatic eggnog, and the wealthy generally used it for toasts to health and wealth. Most likely, eggnog became associated with the holiday season due to lack of refrigeration.

Eggnog became tied to the holidays when the drink hopped the pond in the 1700s. American colonies were full of farms—and chickens and cows—and cheaper rum, a soon-signature ingredient. Mexico adopted the very eggnog varietal “rompope,” and Puerto Rico enjoys the “coquito,” which adds coconut milk.

Everyone knows that Santa's favorite way to wash down his plate of cookies is with a big glass of eggnog. This tradition has been around for decades, but have you ever asked yourself why? When did drinking this egg and milk concoction become a holiday tradition?

Even a third ranking method — based on Americans' choice of their favorite holiday beverage from among ones they love or like — lands hot chocolate another rich victory: 28% call it their favorite around the holidays. Eggnog, at 12%, is a distant runner-up, followed by wine (9%) and tea (9%).

Culinary historians have traced the origins of egg-nog to the medieval British punch called “posset,” warm milk curdled with alcohol such as wine or beer, flavored with spices. In medieval Europe, monks added their own twist by serving posset with figs and eggs.

Typically, Santa likes anything that's rich and sweet. His favorite is classic Christmas eggnog — when he isn't driving… In fact, Christmas Eve is also National Eggnog Day.

You might associate eggnog with the classic American Christmas, but it originates from medieval Britain, and was adapted from posset, a drink made by curdling hot milk with wine or beer.

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars.

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

Families believe Santa needs some sherry to warm up on Christmas night. It's also tradition to pair the sherry with a mince pie.

What is Santa Claus beer called? ›

Also known as Santa Claus Beer, Samichlaus boppelbock is brewed once a year on 6th December and then aged for 10 months before bottling.

UK: Sherry (or brandy or whisky)

But the tradition is sherry. Many families have their own traditions as well, and some even leave out a non-alcoholic snack, especially milk. But the common thread is a short thimbleful of thick, gorgeous liquid, whether it is beer, fortified wine, or a single malt.

When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.

Massachusetts is not alone in their number one selection, as hot cocoa was the most common favorite drink in the country, coming in first place in 17 states including New York, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Rhode Island.

Yep, the Starbucks Eggnog Latte Is Out

There's no reason in particular, but we assume business decisions have led to Starbucks axing the Christmas favorite. The chain confirmed its exit in a tweet: Eggnog latte is not returning to this year.

From classic favorites like eggnog and mulled wine to creative concoctions like spiked hot cocoa and horchata, there are endless possibilities. Get inspired to update your seasonal menu with this list of holiday co*cktails.

The American colonists soon shortened that to “eggnog,” a term that first appeared in a poem by Maryland minister Jonathan Boucher around 1774. George Washington was known to serve his own version to guests at Mount Vernon.

Customs of erecting decorated trees in winter time can be traced to Christmas celebrations in Renaissance-era guilds in Northern Germany and Livonia. The first evidence of decorated trees associated with Christmas Day are trees in guildhalls decorated with sweets to be enjoyed by the apprentices and children.