The eggnog of today is generally a tame affair, served around Christmas time. But there was a day when Eggnog was a hard-drinking pioneers beverage, it’s been called the antebellum “dry martini of the south”, and a favorite of military men. We have eggnog recipes from three presidents: George Washington, William Henry Harrison, and Dwight Eisenhower, and Texan prisoners held by Santa Anna made eggnog with mezcal. It even inspired a famous riot at West Point, and one of the ringleaders was a young Jefferson Davis.
The eggnog’s ancestor! Much better than it sounds.
Warm beer on the stove until just steaming. While beer warms, whip together two egg yolks, one egg white, and brown sugar. When ale is warm slowly add it to the egg mixture, whipping continuously to keep the egg from cooking. Rapidly pour back and forth between two vessels (such as pots or pewter mugs) until very frothy. Garnish with nutmeg.
Source: adapted from Jerry Thomas, 1862
Kevin and my favorite recipe!
Stir sugar into 1 tbs water, or use simple syrup. Shake all ingredients (except nutmeg) well with ice until egg is completely pulverized, strain and garnish with nutmeg.
Sometime between 1862 and 2016 Santa Cruz rum ceased to be. We used one part funky Smith and Cross to two parts clean Havana Club Añejo, which I found very agreeable. David Wondrich has a more complicated formulation in Imbibe! But any amber rum should do in a pinch.
For Jerry Thomas Sherry Eggnog, replace the cognac and rum with 4oz sherry. Kevin and I were not fans of this variant however.
Source: Jerry Thomas 1862, via Imbibe! by David Wondrich
General Harrison’s Eggnog
I’m unconvinced that general/briefly President William Henry Harrison actually consumed said eggnog but it is quite good.
Shake well with ice until egg is completely pulverized, strain.
Source: Jerry Thomas 1862
“Breakfast Eggnog“
From the Savoy Cocktail Book, tastes like an orange creamsicle
Shake well with ice until egg is completely pulverized, strain. Garnish with nutmeg.
Source: Henry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book
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