Team September or Team December?

Wildwood

When I saw it last September, I wasn’t sure if my eyes were deceiving me. Curiosity got the better of me; I investigated. There it was, proudly displayed in Christmas packaging in the refrigerated foods section at the supermarket. Eggnog. In September.

First, I wondered why; then, how did eggnog even come to be?

While its exact history and origin are somewhat muddled, one theory of several says it was derived from a drink called a “posset.” A warm ale punch, made with eggs, it was a popular drink amongst 13th century British monks.

Another theory says it was originally a wintertime drink for the British aristocracy, the name being a combination of the word “grog” (a.k.a. rum) and “noggin”.

The recipe has evolved significantly over the years. Today, it is a combination of eggs, sugar, cream or milk, nutmeg, sometimes mixed with rum, cognac or whisky. Originally a warm drink, now we drink it cold.

It’s generally agreed eggnog originated in Britain. It wasn’t long before it made its way over to the United States. In 1775, George Washington served it to his guests during the Christmas holidays, beginning a new tradition.

Once in North America, eggnog began to cause trouble. In the famous Eggnog Riot of December 1826, cadets at the U.S. Military Academy mixed banned whisky into their eggnog, then consumed large amounts of it. Things, as you might imagine, spiralled out of control. Ninety cadets participated in the riot, including one Jefferson Davis, who went on to become an American president.

In the 1960s, drinking alcohol-free eggnog hit the mainstream. Today, we appear to be obsessed with it. In the U.S. alone, over 130 million pounds of it are consumed during the holidays. There are full-fat versions and low-fat versions, pumpkin eggnog, vanilla eggnog, eggnog coffee, and eggnog cheesecake.

Notice I used the words holidays. That’s why I was so shocked to see it in September.

Has eggnog become so addictive that we can’t wait until December anymore? Tell me, are you a guilty, early eggnogger? Do you sneak in some eggnog in September or patiently wait to indulge in it as a special holiday treat? Are you Team September or Team December?

I am unequivocally Team December. But I will admit I would find it hard to refuse if someone from Team September offered me a pre-season ’nog, particularly if paired with Kahlua or Baileys.