One drink that I only consume during the winter holidays is Eggnog. My father loves it and always buys it at Christmas time, so it’s a bit of a nostalgic treat to enjoy when I go home for Christmas. 

Eggnog is a drink that is typically only available during the Christmas season in North America, Australia, and parts of Europe. It’s made from milk, eggs, sugar, flavourings (like cinnamon or nutmeg), and sometimes alcohol (like brandy, rum, or whiskey). It’s usually very thick, rich, and creamy, so I like to add extra milk to make it a little less intense. Eggnog is usually served cold but can be warmed up as well. 

This drink has a long history and you can find plenty of varieties of it with various names and stories to go with them. Apparently, the earliest documented example of eggnog dates back to 1775, but its origins are believed to be even older, and it’s believed to have become linked with the Christmas holiday season after coming to America from Europe.

Some people like to prepare homemade eggnog, but there is some risk involved because most eggnog recipes have historically included raw eggs, which could be infected with salmonella. It’s a small risk, but personally I prefer to buy prepared eggnog from a store just to be safe. Some people find eggnog to be too sweet or too rich, but I find that it’s enjoyable in small amounts. If you have a chance, give it a try and take a little sip of history!