Eggnog also spelled as egg nog is a sweet beverage customarily made using milk and/or cream, sugar, beaten eggs and liquor. The frothy texture in it comes from eggs. Brandy, rum, moonshine or whisky may occasionally be added and the finished serving may be sprinkled with ground cinnamon or nutmeg.This is a common drink all over the United States and Canada and is generally prepared and had over winter celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. This drink can be incorporated as a flavoring into food or drinks like coffee and tea. Eggnog recipecan also be made use of as a base for making ice cream.
History of Eggnog
There is much debate over the origins of eggnog. There is a belief opined regarding its origin to have been happened in East Anglia, parts of England or to have emerged as a variant of posset –an European beverage from the medieval time made using hot milk. The "nog" portion in the name is assumed to have grown out of the term "noggin"(Middle English term), meaning a small wooden carved out mug, meant to serve alcohol. Although, the British eggnog recipewas also known as Egg Flip.The drink reached the English colonies from Atlantic in the 18th century.
Ingredients Used and Popular Methods of Preparation of Eggnog
The traditional eggnog recipeclassically comprises milk, sugar, raw eggs and spices. Nutmeg is a preferred spice made use of for the purpose. Cream is added to create a richer and thicker drink, even while contemporary eggnog recipecan include gelatin. Vanilla is a frequent flavoring sprinkled on top with grated nutmeg. Optional toppings can be whipped cream, meringue, cinnamon, ice cream and perhaps chocolate curls.
It can be made from homemade versions of eggnog recipeor had in ready-made seasonally available versions, which could include bourbon, whiskey, brandy, cognac or rum. Eggnog is served cold normally from the 1960s sans the spirits.
Serving and Having Eggnog
Eggnog may be prepared and chilled in the refrigerator overnight to ensure it is very cold.
Before serving, the eggnog must be removed from the refrigerator and poured into a punch bowl. Grated nutmeg must be sprinkled liberally over the complete facade of the eggnog in the punch bowl. A ladle may be placed in the punch bowl glasses around the punch bowl for guests to fill.
Eggnog can be kept cold by placing a whole quart of vanilla ice cream in the middle of the eggnog in the punch bowl. Nutmeg can be sprinkled over the eggnog and the ice cream. When the ice cream warms and melts, it can be stirred into the eggnog with the ladle. The ice cream enhances the flavor of the eggnog recipeby keeping it chilled.
Popular Eggnog Variations
Coconut Eggnog is an eggnog recipethat incorporates coconut milk or cream and dark rum as the key ingredients, besides the other regular ingredients.
Chocolate Eggnog is a variant of eggnog made using chocolate milk Kahlua liqueur (or tasty, freshly brewed strong coffee)
Granddad's Eggnog is made using whiskey and cream as the main ingredients.
Diamond Eggnog is almost like the basic eggnog recipewhich makes use of sweetened condensed milk and eggs as the key ingredients.
Health and Nutrition Facts of Eggnog
Eggnog in conventional recipe contains high level of fat and cholesterol. Of late, the low-fat and no-sugar versions have been developed. For this skimmed or low-fat milk can be made use of. In North America, a few producers offer soy or rice-based options for vegans and those with dairy allergies.
Miscellaneous Facts about Eggnog
Eggnog recipethat contains raw eggs and milk may always not be safe enough. For the same reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has changed or altered the description of eggnog several times towards artificial replacements for the large number of eggs conventionally needed. Contemporary FDA regulations allow eggnog to have less than 1% egg yolk solids and "milk or milk products”. In the home and in restaurants, alcohol free eggnog can be prepared more safely by making use of pasteurized eggs.
Eggnog Trivia
The ingredients in eggnog recipewere dear in England and hence, it was a fancied preparation reserved to the aristocracy. Author and historian James Humes said in his book To Humes It May Concern in July 1997- "You have to remember, the average Londoner rarely saw a glass of milk". "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."
As brandies and wines were heavily tolled in England, rum was bought at a lesser price from the Caribbean Triangular Trade. The low-cost liquor, together with plentiful farm and dairy products, facilitated eggnog recipein the USA.