National Eggnog Day

National Eggnog Day is a festive culinary observance celebrated annually on December 24. This holiday invites people to enjoy the rich, creamy, and often controversial beverage that has become synonymous with the Christmas season.

History of National Eggnog Day

The origins of eggnog can be traced back to medieval Britain and a drink called “posset,” which was made from hot milk curdled with wine or ale and spiced. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset containing eggs and figs. As the recipe evolved, it became a toast to health and prosperity among the aristocracy, who were the only ones who could afford the expensive milk, eggs, and sherry required to make it.

When the drink crossed the Atlantic to the American colonies, it underwent significant changes that shaped the modern version we know today. Since sherry and Madeira were heavily taxed and difficult to acquire, colonists substituted them with Caribbean rum, which was far cheaper and more readily available. The drink became incredibly popular in early America, with George Washington famously serving a potent version at Mount Vernon that included rye whiskey, rum, and sherry.

Why is National Eggnog Day important?

National Eggnog Day celebrates a beverage that serves as a powerful anchor for holiday nostalgia. For many, the first sip of eggnog marks the true beginning of the Christmas festivities. Its unique flavor profile—a dense mixture of cream, sugar, eggs, and nutmeg—is unlike anything else consumed during the rest of the year. This distinctiveness makes it a special seasonal treat that people look forward to for months, creating a sensory connection to past holidays and family gatherings.

The day also acknowledges the drink’s ability to spark lively conversation and debate. Eggnog is famously polarizing; people tend to either adore its custard-like richness or avoid it entirely. This “love it or hate it” reputation often becomes a fun, low-stakes topic of discussion at holiday parties. Furthermore, the holiday highlights the culinary versatility of the drink, as it has inspired countless variations, from vegan oat-milk versions to eggnog-flavored coffees and desserts.

• It signals the peak of the holiday season.
• The drink connects modern celebrants to colonial history.
• Families share recipes passed down for generations.
• It offers a rich treat found only in winter.
• The flavor inspires many other seasonal desserts.

How to Celebrate National Eggnog Day

The most traditional way to observe this day is simply to pour a glass of cold eggnog and sprinkle it with freshly grated nutmeg. While store-bought cartons are convenient, making it from scratch allows for a much fresher, more complex flavor. You can customize the recipe by adjusting the level of sweetness or experimenting with different spirits like brandy, bourbon, or dark rum to find your perfect blend.

If you find drinking a glass of heavy cream too intense, you can incorporate the flavor into your cooking. Eggnog makes an excellent substitute for milk in pancake batter or French toast, adding a spiced, festive note to Christmas Eve breakfast. You can also use it as a base for ice cream or bake it into a cheesecake. Hosting a tasting party with different brands or homemade batches is another great way to bring people together.

• Make a fresh batch using raw or pasteurized eggs.
• Spike your glass with a shot of bourbon or rum.
• Use eggnog instead of milk in your morning coffee.
• Bake a spiced eggnog cake for dessert.
• Grate fresh nutmeg over the top for aroma.

National Eggnog Day Dates Table