Christmas is approaching fast, but do you know what the day before is? It’s National Eggnog Day. (It’s Christmas Eve too, but National Eggnog Day is way more important.)

For hundreds of years, eggnog has been a traditional drink for celebrating good times and the holidays.
Although the exact origin of eggnog isn’t exactly clear, it has been around since 13th century Europe. It didn’t become a celebratory beverage (that had may or may not contained cheap rum) until the 1700s when it made its way to the American colonies.

‘Nog was soon adopted by countries like Mexico, with their version called rompope. Puerto Rico also has their own version, Coquito, made with coconut milk.

For many, eggnog isn’t the choice holiday beverage. But why not? It tastes like good times! Eggnog is literally milk dressed up for Christmas with a festive nutmeg hat. If that doesn’t make you excited, than I have no idea what will.

It’s really not as bad as people make it out to be. If you were a child that would sneak half and half’s at the diner while your parents weren’t paying attention, then eggnog should be a go-to beverage for those who like thick, milky drinks.

For Pete’s sake, if you like milkshakes, then why not eggnog? I swear it doesn’t even taste like eggs. If people are turned off by the word “egg” in eggnog, then completely ignore it and refer to this delicious drink as just ‘nog. Most likely, eggnog isn’t as “egg-y”as you think it is, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Eggnog contains at least one percent of egg yolk, but the eggs are pasteurized and aren’t the most prominent ingredient! It’s mostly milk, with a bit of egg, sugar and spices for the classic eggnog flavor.

Sure, eggnog is jam-packed with calories at 344 per cup, along with 19 grams of fat and 150 milligrams of cholesterol which calls for some stretchy pants, but it’s the holidays! Although it may not be the healthiest drink, it sure is great. Eggnog even proved to be somewhat (not) useful in the fight against malaria fever in the 1800s.

If it makes you feel better, America’s first president George Washington loved ‘nog so much he even shared his spiked recipe of eggnog with the world. This probably explains why he could never tell a lie. Who could with a couple cups of his special recipe?

Try it! Love it! If you find out you don’t love it as much as I do, well, you’re not invited to my Christmas party. Sorry.

Don’t fear the ‘nog!

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