British Influences on North American Foodways: Eggnog Part I

Glass of Eggnog, recipes below

Colonial British North American Tavern

As part of my series on European influences on North American foodways let's turn to a classic holiday beverage—eggnog. I grew up associating with Christmas. I came across sources that mentioned “nogs” and “eggnog” that made me curious about the history of this Christmas drink. Eggnog has its roots in the winter drinkways of the British aristocracy back in Europe. Commoners would not have had the resources to have access to fresh milk and eggs. In the winter, the wealthy would at times drink their warm milk and egg beverage seasoned with pricey spices such as ground nutmeg and cinnamon and expensive liquors like brandy and sherry to keep it from spoiling. The concoction traveled across the Atlantic in the 18th century with several modifications after it arrived in colonial American taverns and homes. In colonial North America the abundant availability of dairy products and traded rum from the Caribbean made the drink popular among free commoners, white indentured servants, and enslaved Africans. Rum—the drink of the marginalized—became the substitute for the heavily taxed brandy and wine in the colonies. Here are some recipes you can try. More on this tomorrow.  

Traditional Eggnog: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/eggnog/

Vegan Eggnog: http://www.egg-nog.info/Vegan_Egg_Nog_Drink_Recipe.html

Almond Milk Eggnog and shortbread recipe: http://dreamaboutfood.blogspot.com/2010/12/almond-milk-eggnog-and-holiday.html

British Influences on North American Foodways Series:

http://www.foodasalens.com/2009/12/historical-look-at-mince-meat-pie-for.html

http://www.foodasalens.com/2010/04/molasses-and-social-classes.html

http://www.foodasalens.com/2010/10/get-out-vote-machines-then-and-now.html

http://www.foodasalens.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-day-series-part-3-pie.html


http://www.foodasalens.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-day-series-part-5-english.html