- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BeverageDrinkingFestivities
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every December 24
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥛
National Eggnog Day arrives every December 24, inviting us to indulge in the rich, creamy, and spiced holiday beverage. Whether you prefer it spiked or virgin, hot or cold, this festive drink is a beloved tradition. Mix up a batch from scratch, find a gourmet carton, or visit a local cafe to enjoy a cup.
Want to sponsor National Eggnog Day? Learn how
Expected National Eggnog Day Deals
As National Eggnog Day coincides with Christmas Eve, expect many retailers and cafes to feature special promotions on this beloved holiday drink. Last year, brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ offered seasonal eggnog lattes, while grocery chains such as Kroger and Whole Foods Market often run sales on premium eggnog cartons. Liquor stores may highlight spirits perfect for spiking your nog, with brands like Southern Comfort and Evan Williams frequently promoting their eggnog liqueurs. Keep an eye out for discounts on baking ingredients from King Arthur Baking Company and McCormick for those making it from scratch. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 24 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Eggnog Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalEggnogDay. Share your favorite eggnog recipes, festive mugs, or holiday gatherings where eggnog takes center stage.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalEggnogDay. Film a quick tutorial on making homemade eggnog, a taste test of different brands, or a fun holiday-themed eggnog cocktail.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalEggnogDay. Share your family’s traditional eggnog recipe or post a picture of your holiday spread featuring this classic drink.
National Eggnog Day Hero
George Washington
History of National Eggnog Day
Eggnog, also known as egg milk punch when prepared as an alcoholic drink, is a rich and creamy dairy beverage basically made by mixing cream, milk, sugar, and whipped eggs to create a frothy texture. Liquor is optional, and, once prepared, the drink is served chilled.
The origins of this sweet Christmas drink are highly debated, as well as the primary ingredients used for it. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘nog’ was used to describe a type of strong beer brewed in East Anglia, England. Others argue that eggnog was developed as a beverage in medieval Europe, using piping hot milk.
The first time the term was printed was in the March 26 issue of the “New-Jersey Journal” in 1788, referring to a man enjoying a glass of eggnog. Again, there is no consensus on how eggnog got its name. One theory suggests that the drink was first named ‘grog’, eventually evolving to ‘eggnog.’ Other sources claim that ‘nog’ was used in the Old English vocabulary for a strong ale. So, essentially, this means that egg and nog is a nod to any drink containing eggs and alcohol.
Eggnog could possibly also have been a spin-off of the once-popular drink enjoyed by the British called posset. Made using curdled milk mixed with wine, it was often used for medicinal purposes. Later, in the 16th century, cream and a citrus base were added to the ingredients.
National Eggnog Day timeline
According to “TIME” magazine, monks would frequently consume posset
An eggnog variation named Tom and Jerry is created.
A brawl between New York cadets at a Christmas party takes place after drinking vast amounts of eggnog.
Ponche Crema is another variation of eggnog, popular in Trinidad and Venezuela.
A Utah resident named Ryan Roche is hospitalized after chugging non-alcoholic eggnog.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Eggnog Day
Local businesses can embrace National Eggnog Day by offering festive specials and experiences. Cafes and bakeries could feature eggnog lattes, eggnog-flavored pastries, or even a ‘nog flight’ with different variations. Restaurants might create signature eggnog cocktails or desserts, promoting them as a special holiday treat. Retailers could host eggnog tasting events or offer discounts on ingredients for homemade eggnog, encouraging customers to indulge in this classic holiday beverage.
National Eggnog Day FAQs
When is National Eggnog Day?
National Eggnog Day 2026 falls on Thursday, December 24, making it the perfect pre-Christmas treat. It’s an ideal day to enjoy a warm, spiced cup of this classic holiday drink.
What are the main ingredients in eggnog?
Traditional eggnog is primarily made from milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and spices like nutmeg. Alcoholic versions often include brandy, rum, or bourbon, adding a festive kick to the rich concoction.
How popular is eggnog in the US?
Eggnog sees a significant surge in popularity during the holiday season, with millions of gallons sold annually across the U.S. It’s a quintessential part of Christmas celebrations for many American households.
What is the history of eggnog?
Eggnog’s origins trace back to medieval Britain, where it evolved from a hot, milky drink called ‘posset.’ It became particularly popular in the American colonies, where eggs and rum were plentiful, transforming into the festive beverage we know today.
National Eggnog Day Activities
Enjoy Eggnog
Christmas is pretty much the only occasion when we indulge in eggnog. Gather your friends and family and treat yourself to this deliciously sweet drink.
Try a different food item
If drinking eggnog is not your thing, you can always enjoy its unique flavor in ice cream or even bake a batch of eggnog cookies.
Share it on social media
Join thousands of other people in enjoying National Eggnog Day. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalEggnogDay
5 Egg-cellent Facts About Eggnog
George’s Marvelous Concoction
George Washington loved to prepare and serve eggnog and his personal recipe is now a permanent sensation.
Starbucks dropped it
After Starbucks removed an eggnog latte from their holiday menu, it resulted in a backlash and countless complaints.
Puerto Rico’s Coquito
The Puerto Ricans’ version of the eggnog is ‘coquito’ — prepared with cinnamon, coconut milk, rum, and sometimes whipped egg yolks.
Featured on David Letterman
As part of his goofy Christmas traditions, David Letterman liked using eggnog in some of his features.
That’s a lot of eggnog
According to Indiana University’s statistics, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of eggnog annually.
Why We Love National Eggnog Day
Move over, Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve gets all the attention, being the night before Christmas Day. We love how National Eggnog Day shines a light on one of the best parts of Christmas Eve itself — eggnog!
A cocktail concoction
When you think about it, eggnog is quite a unique blend. It is neither a smoothie nor a milkshake or powdered drink. It is a totally unique beverage with many ways to enjoy it, and we love it!
Part of the holiday season
It's the little things like eggnog that all contribute to making Christmas the joyous occasion it is. Appreciating these little things preserves tradition and keeps it going for future generations to come.
National Eggnog Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 24 | Thursday |
| 2027 | December 24 | Friday |
| 2028 | December 24 | Sunday |
| 2029 | December 24 | Monday |
| 2030 | December 24 | Tuesday |
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