Happy National Eggnog Day!

December 24th is National Eggnog Day!

Origin

First of all, eggnog is one word. I feel like this is an important thing to know because I see it often written as two words, and I was quite confused before doing some research on the subject. If you look into it, you may find that there is some heated debate on the correct version, but if you look on a carton of eggnog at your local supermarket, you will find that it is in fact one word.

My second point: there is also a debate on how to properly spike eggnog. I recently hosted a Christmas party and purchased a few quarts of eggnog. I google searched and found that there doesn’t seem to be one clear frontrunner when it comes to what type of booze to add to eggnog. Brandy? Bourbon? Rum? The jury’s still out on that one. I don’t know what to tell you… I have no idea. Because I tried a few options at my party, and none were to my taste. Maybe I just prefer virgin eggnog.

Thirdly, eggnog is kind of a divisive holiday treat. Because truly, you are either an eggnog person, or an eggnog hater. I don’t think I know anyone who is undecided about eggnog. It’s either something you look forward to each November when it first hits grocery stores’ refrigerated shelves, or something that turns your stomach whenever it is mentioned. Maybe you have a relative that likes to make homemade eggnog, and it is always seriously questionable, causing your aversion to the beverage. I can’t blame you for that. I, however, am definitely a fan of eggnog, and from November 1st through January 1st (it usually isn’t available in grocery stores past New Year’s Day), you will probably find a carton of it in my fridge. I have such fond memories of my grandma’s homemade eggnog. It wasn’t the questionable kind. And though it is not very common to make it from scratch these days, I still put a pinch of nutmeg in my glass of eggnog, just like Grandma would do before handing me my glass at Christmas.

Eggnog dates back to early 19th century England, so it really can be considered a classic holiday treat. Whatever your opinion on eggnog, today we celebrate this beverage, in all of its sweet, decadent, thick and creamy, nostalgia-filled glory.

How to Celebrate

Drinking a cold glass of eggnog would seem like the obvious way to celebrate, but why not be more creative? I found so many delicious sounding recipes online of different ways to use eggnog when baking your holiday treats. Eggnog pie? Eggnog cheesecake? Eggnog filled cookie cups? I know I’ll be trying out at least one of these today.

Quotes of the Day

“Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?”
– Clark Griswold, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

“She’d been drinkin’ too much eggnog, and we begged her not to go.
But she left her medication, so she stumbled out the door into the snow.”
– Lyrics from Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Featured image via ShutterStock