With the holiday season finally here, there’s no better time to delve into history to pull out some traditional merry-making drinks such as mulled wine and eggnog. Surprisingly and in no small part intriguingly, many of these alcoholic beverages were first produced to be savoured on major celebrations centuries ago. While they come in different forms, these traditional Yuletide drinks nearly always boast a rich, colourful and delightful origin that can be likened to fascinating tales weaved by parents anxious to put their young children to sleep. Indeed, some of these tales are stuff of legend, conjectures and cause debates that remain unsettled even up to this day.
MULLED WINE
A classic case in point is the traditional Yuletide favourite, mulled wine, described as an ancient drink that dates back to the 2nd century AD when the Romans took to warming up their wine to help them through the freezing winter months. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions surrounding them. Knowledge of the process of producing this drink spread in the course of their conquests and contributed to the rise in its popularity as a winter beverage, a practice that endured for centuries.
What exactly is mulling and what process it is comprised of? The term’s etymology is obscure, prompting some to suggest that it comes from the word “mull”, which means to crumble, a reference to the powdered spices used to give it a distinct flavour. Another theory is that it comes from the obscure and archaic word “mulsed”, which means mixed with honey. From the early definitions, one thing clearly stands out: the heated nature of the beverage serves as its major feature. The term’s precise definition is unclear, fuelling assertions that it must have originated from the Dutch term meulen, which means “to ruminate’ or ‘to think something over”.
A traditional mulled wine recipe includes brandy and cinnamon. Alternatives to brandy include port, dark rum or bourbon (sweeter than Scotch) to elicit a cockle-warming oomph. Some recommend a splash of Southern Comfort, but take note of the sweetness. Others add a cup of strong Earl Grey tea for a complementary bergamot twist. Spices can be used as alternatives, including grated ginger, coriander seeds, marjoram, dried fennel or a few crushed cardamom pods. Meanwhile, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver adds vanilla and a dried bay leaf.
EGGNOG
Another favourite Christmas drink, eggnog, is marked by an obscure lineage, fuelling debate among culinary historians. Most agree that it originated from the early medieval British term, “posset”, which refers to a hot, milky, ale-like drink. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs. Since milk, eggs and sherry were widely regarded at the time as foods of the wealthy, eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health.
The concoction was first written about in 1796 in Britain, where it reputedly originated. The basic concept for the drink was said to have been formulated there and it was later modified when it eventually reached the United States. In the early days, American colonies were littered with numerous farms, chickens and cows, and cheap rum which eventually became a key signature ingredient. Mexico coined the eggnog varietal term “rompope”, while in Puerto Rico, the drink was mixed with coconut milk and became known as “coquito”. Through its sojourns, the concoction’s English name etymology remains a mystery. Some say “nog” comes from “noggin” which means a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck.
Today, the light yellow, creamy beverage enjoys the stature of being a holiday essential in several English-speaking countries, foremost in the US and Canada. Most Americans love to drink the Christmas cocktail chilled, but hot eggnog also serves as an excellent alternative to mulled wine. Often called a Tom & Jerry in North America, a warm cup of the frothy gold liquid is widely known to make even the toughest of winters more bearable. Either way, both a hot or cold eggnog is absolutely delicious.
Whether you choose to sip on an eggnog or enjoy some mulled wine, these traditional Christmas drinks are sure to give you a warm glow.