Every year, it miraculously appears in the dairy case. Some folks wait 12 months for this moment, others walk right on by.
It’s the return of eggnog, the holiday drink that boasts a devoted fan base across New England – and likely has as many non-fans as ‘nog lovers.
Eggnog has a curious history:
In medieval times, it was called “posset,” a drink made of hot milk curdled with ale or wine, and sometimes sweetened or spiced. Blame a few well-meaning monks for adding whipped eggs (and a few figs for good measure). Whatever its final ingredient list, posset was pricey (milk, eggs and sherry were not cheap back then!), so the rich were primarily posset drinkers, and they used it to toast to good health and prosperity.
Flash-forward to the 1700s, when American colonists jumped on the posset or eggnog wagon. Many colonists had their own farms, so they had plenty of eggs, and they also had access to cheaper whisky and rum. Rumor has it even George Washington was fan, and by the 19th century, eggnog was regularly served during the holiday season. A tradition was born.
Eggnog once caused a riot. In 1826, West Point cadets objected to the new commandant nixing their consumption of a beloved spiked eggnog, and a riot broke out. Don’t mess with our ‘nog, was the clear message.
So you either love it or you don’t, but let’s be fair: for those nay-sayers, here’s a link to some eggnog recipes. Give them a spin.
PS – Trivia buffs may want to know that the name “eggnog” may come from the use of wooden mugs called “noggins” to serve posset.
Where to get farm fresh eggnog in New England:
* = Home delivery available
Connecticut:
- Arethusa Farm – Bantam & New Haven
- Elm Farm – Woodstock
- Mountain Dairy – Storrs
- Smyths Trinity Farm* – Enfield
- The Farmers Cow – available statewide
- Woodstock Creamery at Valleyside Farm – Woodstock
Massachusetts:
- Cooper’s Hilltop Farm – Rochdale
- Crescent Ridge* – Sharon & Boston
- Elmhurst Dairy Farm* – Millbury
- Hancock Dairy Farm* – Barre
- High Lawn Farm – Lee
- Hornstra Dairy* – Norwell
- Mapleline Farm – Hadley
- Shaw Farm* – Dracut
- Stillman Dairy Farm – Lunenburg
- Thatcher Farms* – Milton
- Tully Farms Dairy* – Dunstable
New Hampshire:
- Contoocook Creamery – Contoocook
- Hatchland Farm* – North Haverhill
- McNamara Dairy – Plainfield
Rhode Island:
- Munroe Dairy* – East Providence
- Wrights Dairy Farm – North Smithfield
Vermont:
- Green Mountain Creamery Eggnog Yogurt – available statewide
- Strafford Organic Creamery – Strafford
- Thomas Dairy – available statewide
New England Wide:
Cheers!
Photo Courtesy: Right Image by Shaw Farm. Middle Image by Elm Farm. Right Image by Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery.