We think the chicken was first with a certain bet the eggnog wasn’t far behind. Whether it is your taste for that tasty party drink that delights most and holds the diversification of ‘regular or unleaded’ (with or without spirits), eggnog is generally a hit at Christmas time.
Eggnog didn’t just happen recently. It began in Europe with a great push from many of our ancestors in the United Kingdom. Just how far back and from whom the beginning came could be up to much research. However, in England eggnog probably came around the seventeenth century. Eggnog literally meant “egg in a cup” as it was used as a toast for your health and the beneficial food quality of eggs.
Toast to your health didn’t seem quite lively enough for the jovial British. So they added a bit of strong beer they called noggin. Milk and eggs (the principal parts of eggnog) was quite rare for city dwellers as they had no farms so the drink became a treat for the wealthy.
Leave it to the movement toward America and eggnog began taking on new life. From ‘egg in your beer’ to cream or milk whipped with eggs, sugar, spirits if you desire, and a sprinkling of nutmeg or cinnamon tops it off. Actually, the spirits of several selections became necessary in olden times as there was virtually no proper refrigeration to protect the milk and eggs from spoiling. Just as in the current popular Baileys Irish Cream with a bit of brandy, That process was invented to protect the sought after Devon cream.
The father of our country George Washington served eggnog with a step away from beer and spiced up a bit with rum. Further down south the American taste by those that preferred a ‘splash of kindness’, bourbon became the choice side. However, old George had at his disposal his ownership of likely the largest distillery in the New World. His reason was clear that his products of a very large grain farming operation had to travel many miles to the east coast market. Much of the grain would spoil in route. On the other hand, the process of creating alcohol from corn or other grain would not spoil and was easier to sell along the coastal market.
It just doesn’t seem quite appetizing to say to your guest, “Would you care to drink a cup of egg (with the literal meaning of egg in a cup)”? Even some of the privateers no doubt preserved milk with grog. Therefore, the name egg grog didn’t sound quite as good as eggnog it would seem.
When it comes to the whispering winds of winter and the jingle of bells at Christmas, eggnog is still a popular hit. However, as in every case of party environment to partake in excess of anything that might be intoxicating is not only irresponsible but could be dangerous and is illegal as well.
One quite irresponsible jokester claims to have investigated statistical data of auto accidents involved in a bit too much eggnog at a party. It is believed that around one third of all wrecks were caused by overindulgence. Then he reported (with a slight hic) “You’d better watch out for the other two thirds causing that many more wrecks that hadn’t had any eggnog.”
Whatever is your desire; the gathering of friends at Christmas time is first of all, the celebration of the birth of our Savior and should be foremost in any and all activities. Then on these occasions there is an opportunity of self respect and respect for others. Whatever is your religion, remember that one of the greatest gifts of all is the gift of life and with it comes responsibility. Do so with a smile and you will be rewarded by one in return. Til’ then, cheers!
Bob Jamison is a columnist for several publications and book author. His columns are for entertainment and not necessarily as a documentary.
