BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Eggnog, made from milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and a shot of your favorite liquor, the sweet beverage has become a staple of holiday parties throughout North America.
Eggs, cream, and alcohol make a traditional Christmas drink.
Barman Derek Brown says eggnog should be made from Scratch. His keys are fresh ingredients, and good spirits.
"The one thing that I advise, is keep the spirit brown, because that adds richness to it," Brown said. "It likely is an indicator that it has barrel-age to it, which adds stuff like vanilla, and spicy characteristics."
While brandy, rum, sherry, whiskey, or a combination, give eggnog a kick,the original idea of adding alcohol hundreds of years ago, was so the mixture wouldn't spoil. Eggnog has British origins, a descendant of a drink called "posset", essentially hot milk and alcohol.
Early Americans, including George Washington, gave its popularity a boost because ingredients were easy to find.
"They had dairy, they had cows, they had chickens and eggs, and so this was readily accessible for them to make, and at some point it became a popular drink, especially in colonial America," Brown said.
The original preferred spirit was rum. since then, there have been plenty of variations.
"Some people add vanilla extract, some people add different spices, some people add cinnamon on it, some people put nutmeg," Brown said. "Some people use bourbon, some people will use brandy. I think in each case, people can have their own little twist on it, and make something really delicious."
As for its link with the holiday season, the creamy decadence makes it a special occasion beverage, best served when the weather is chilly.
(Source: CNTV.com)
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