What Is Eggnog? Origins, Traditions, Taste and Recipes

Renee Hanlon

Tue, December 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM UTC

4 min read

Eggnog is a traditional holiday drink made with raw eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, often enjoyed with alcohol like brandy or rum.
Eggnog likely originated in Britain as a drink called "posset" before evolving into the creamy dessert-like beverage we know today, becoming a Christmas tradition in both Britain and the United States.
Eggnog is safe to drink as long as pasteurized eggs are used, as the pasteurization process kills off bacteria like salmonella, making it a popular holiday treat served hot or cold.

After the fall season of pumpkin spice, apples, donuts and cider , we fall right into another season of traditional food and drink favorites. Eggnog is one of those traditional drinks that's served at Christmas and throughout the holiday season.

Most people have heard of eggnog, but how many have actually tasted it or know the story behind it? What is eggnog, anyway?

Some may be a little put off by the texture of this creamy (and somewhat lumpy, depending on who you ask) drink and find themselves hesitant to try it. To help you better understand how this sweet holiday tradition came to be, we're here to give you all the frothy details.

Who knows? If you haven't tried it before, you may be tempted to give it a sip this season.

Related: You Can Make Starbucks' Eggnog Latte at Home

What Is Eggnog?

Traditional eggnog is a dessert-like drink that is made up of raw eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean.

There is also the option of making it more of an adult drink by adding alcohol. Brandy, rum, bourbon or whiskey all play very nicely with eggnog.

What Does Eggnog Taste Like?

What makes this drink so special is the thick, creamy texture that is somewhere between a custard and melted ice cream. With the sweet flavor from the sugar and the warm spices of nutmeg and cinnamon, it will feel like you are sipping on dessert.

You may want to grab a glass of water to have with this drink though—there are no thirst-quenching capabilities with eggnog!

Store-Bought or Homemade: Which Eggnog Is Best?

Although you can purchase ready-made eggnog out of the carton, making it from scratch will give you even better flavor.

Where Did Eggnog Originate?

It is most likely that eggnog originated in Britain . What started out as a drink called "posset" evolved into what we know as eggnog today. Posset was a hot, sweetened and spiced milk that was combined with ale or wine. In Britain, they enjoyed this drink as far back as the 13th century. Later, eggs and figs were added to the drink.

By the 17th century, Britain made eggnog a Christmas tradition by toasting to the new season with it. It made its way to the United States in the 19th century and has been a Christmas tradition ever since.

Why Is It Called 'Eggnog'?

There are a couple of different theories on how eggnog got its name. First, the original posset was served in noggins, which were small wooden cups. So, it is thought that the egg drink in a noggin was shortened to eggnog.

Another theory notes that "grog" was a term used in colonial North America to describe a thick drink. It may have been called "egg 'n grog" at first and then shortened to eggnog.

Why Is Eggnog a Christmas Drink?

Eggnog was most likely saved as a luxury for the Christmas season. We tend to enjoy all kinds of sweets when the weather gets cold. Maybe we need the extra calories to keep warm? One thing is for sure, it wouldn't sound appealing to drink a thick and sweet beverage on a warm day!

It is also likely that the spices of nutmeg and cinnamon are reminiscent of the Christmas holiday, which made it a popular party drink.

Is Eggnog Safe To Drink?

Since eggnog contains raw eggs, many people wonder if the beverage is safe to drink. After all, haven't we been told that consuming raw eggs can give us salmonella poisoning?

According to Cleveland Clinic , as long as you use pasteurized eggs in the shell, eggnog is safe to drink. The pasteurizing process is what kills off the bacteria that can cause salmonella. The eggs are gently heated to a temperature that will kill off bacteria but not so hot that it cooks the eggs.

So, as long as you purchase eggs that are labeled pasteurized , you won't have a problem with safety. If you purchase liquid eggs or eggnog in a carton, those have been pasteurized as well.

How To Make Eggnog

To make basic eggnog, you begin by separating the egg yolks from the whites. Next, you whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl, then add the milk, cream and spices. Finally, the egg whites are whipped until soft peaks form and are folded into the mixture. It's up to you if you want to add any alcohol.

Some people like to heat the milk mixture before adding it to the eggs, which gives the eggnog a more custard-like texture.

Eggnog can be served either hot or cold and is great in a punch bowl or served in individual small glasses.

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.