8 Things You Didn't Know About Eggnog

Eggnog is a classic holiday drink, but there are some things you might not know about it, like how it got its name, where the drink came from, and which U.S. president had his own eggnog recipe.

The origin of the name eggnog is still somewhat of a mystery to etymologists. It's thought that the word could be derived from noggin, the Old English word for strong beer. Others credit the name to Colonial America when colonists called thick drinks grog, and eggnog was called egg-and-grog.

Eggnog is believed to be a descendent of a hot cocktail from the fourteenth century known as posset. The drink didn't contain eggs but was made with sweetened and spiced milk and ale or wine. We would guess that over the years, egg was added.

Christmas Eve is also National Eggnog Day, and what better excuse to drink a few rounds?

Before it was known as eggnog, this traditional holiday drink was called egg milk punch.

Our nation's first president served a drink very similar to eggnog at his holiday parties. His boozy recipe was made with three kinds of liquor: rye whiskey, rum, and sherry.

Following a drunken Christmas party, a melee known as the Eggnog Riot took place at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., and lasted from Christmas Eve through Christmas morning in 1826. Two days before, cadets snuck in whiskey to make eggnog for the party, which is how the riot got its name.

According to a medicinal book from the 1800s, eggnog used to be recommended as a treatment for various illnesses, including malaria.

Cultures around the world have their own versions of eggnog, like tamagozake from Japan and auld man's milk from Scotland.