More dairy producers are foregoing the egg in this year's eggnog. (iStock)
You may have noticed a creamy drink on your last trip to the supermarket that has you scratching your head.
Alongside seasonal items in the dairy aisle is something called “holiday nog.” It comes in half-gallon jugs, it’s off-white with dark speckles, and it tastes like eggnog. But it's not.
With this year’s avian flu outbreak, which created nationwide egg shortages and a 15 percent price hike, eggnog producers had to make the tough choice: egg or no eggs.
Turkey Hill Dairy, based in Pennsylvania, had to redesign its eggnog recipe from scratch after being hit with supply problems-but managed to keep the eggs.
But others, such as Lactaid and Florida’s Sunshine State Dairy Farms, skipped them all together and went with the holiday nog. Massachusetts’s Hood Dairy reportedly made nog with eggs—but just for people in New England. Everyone else this year gets holiday nog.
So what's the difference between eggnog and holiday nog?
To be called eggnog, the Food and Drug Administration created guidelines which stipulate that it must have milk, cream, a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight.
There’s holiday nog made with milk and eggs but can't be called eggnog because of added booze, for example. Same goes for nog made of dairy alternatives, like almond or soy milk.
But straight up milk and cream with no eggs—well, that’s considered to be poor cousin of the real deal. Dairy producers call it a “flavored milk product.”
Some customers aren’t too happy with the new concoction sans eggs.
A Lactaid customer wrote to Consumerist complaining the holiday drink “tastes like sadness and chemicals.”
Johnson & Johnson, makers of Lactaid, released this statement clarifying this year's move: “With regard to the LACTAID® Holiday Nog, the recipe has changed for the 2015 holiday season. LACTAID® is committed to providing Consumers with their favorite festive seasonal beverage, however, Avian flu is affecting the supply of eggs nationally. Therefore, this year, the LACTAID® Brand is offering an egg-free version of eggnog, called “Holiday Nog.”
A representative from Florida’s Sunshine State Dairy Farms --which bottles its holiday drink under the Gustafson Dairy Farms label--told Fox 13 in Tampa that the goal of its new eggless nog was to offer consumers an affordable alternative.A half-gallon jug of Gustafson Holiday Nog cost just $2.99.
Pricing in stores during the holiday season show real eggnog topping $6 in some markets for a half gallon, with specialty eggnogs going for anywhere from $5 to $18 a quart.
And despite the egg crisis earlier this year, it's still seems a small price to pay to quench the thirst of America's eggnog obsession --or at least something that tastes like it.
FAQs
To be called eggnog, the Food and Drug Administration created guidelines which stipulate that it must have milk, cream, a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight. There's holiday nog made with milk and eggs but can't be called eggnog because of added booze, for example.
What's the difference between holiday nog and eggnog? ›
(What's the difference between eggnog and Holiday Nog? Eggnog must have a minimum 6 percent butterfat and a minimum 1 percent egg yolk by weight; Holiday Nog, which Spangler called a flavored milk product, has 2 percent butterfat and less than 1 percent egg yolk by weight.)
Why is eggnog only a holiday drink? ›
The History of Eggnog
The custom of toasting to the new season with this festive co*cktail actually began during Britain's early medieval years, and the drink later became popular in the American colonies by the 19th century. However, per TIME, eggnog has been associated with Christmas since the 1700s.
Why is eggnog called nog? ›
Some say “nog” comes from “noggin,” meaning a wooden cup, or “grog,” a strong beer. By the late 18th century, the combined term “eggnog” stuck. Eggnog purists argue that those who don't like the Yuletide drink have simply never tasted the real thing.
Is Holly nog eggnog? ›
Proudly produced in our very own MCB lab, Holly Nog embodies the iconic Egg Nog from the holidays with the combination of Wisconsin dairy cream and a great wine base. Holly Nog comes in two flavors: Original Egg Nog and Chocolate Mint Nog. Both are available in select markets around the US during the holiday season.
What is holiday nog made of? ›
Reduced Fat Milk, Sugar, Nonfat Dry Milk, Eggs, Mixed Triglycerides, Guar Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Carrageenan, Nutmeg, Salt, Gelatin, Cellulose Gum, Annato-Turmeric (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate and Vitamin D3.
Is holiday nog good? ›
Califia Farms Holiday Nog is made almost entirely out of nuts, and yet, somehow, still tastes eggy. It defies logic. It has all of the rich, nutmeg-y, faintly boozy (do you know what I mean?) flavor of regular eggnog, only it's less viscous.
Why can't you drink a lot of eggnog? ›
Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars.
Why is eggnog not sold year round? ›
Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.
What is eggnog with alcohol called? ›
"Tom and Jerry is a form of hot eggnog [co*cktail] that was once popular." The Tom and Jerry was invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s, using brandy and rum added to eggnog and served hot, usually in a mug or a bowl. It is a traditional Christmastime co*cktail in the United States.
Advocaat + Eggnog = Advonog The British call it Advocaat, the Americans called it Eggnog, put together we get Advonog.
What is rum and milk called? ›
The Milk Punch is a classic co*cktail that traditionally combines brandy or rum with sugar, vanilla extract and milk (of course). Its history is extensive, dating to at least the 1600s, when the recipe first appeared in print.
Are there nogs other than eggnog? ›
While traditional eggnog is made with eggs and dairy, Oat Nog is made from whole grain oats, making it a vegan-friendly eggnog alternative.
What's the difference between holiday nog in eggnog? ›
There's holiday nog made with milk and eggs but can't be called eggnog because of added booze, for example. Same goes for nog made of dairy alternatives, like almond or soy milk. But straight up milk and cream with no eggs—well, that's considered to be poor cousin of the real deal.
Why is eggnog drunk at Christmas? ›
It was thought that the use of “luxury” ingredients such as cream and alcohol would invite prosperity into the household for the coming year. In most households today, a cup of eggnog ushers in the good cheer of the holiday more so than any belief in impending wealth.
What's the best alcohol for eggnog? ›
While you may typically reach for a bottle of rum or whiskey for eggnog, amaro and tequila are also good options. Some people who use reposado tequila in their eggnog like to complement it with an Amontillado sherry.
Is holiday custard the same as egg nog? ›
Although often equated with eggnog, boiled custard is much thicker than its better-known cousin. “It's odd we call it a beverage because it's not always drinkable,” says the Chapel Hill, North Carolina–based cook and food writer Sheri Castle. “It's more like a pudding.
What is the alcohol drink eggnog called? ›
Eggnog Martini
Vanilla vodka and amaretto are shaken with pre-made eggnog in this simple co*cktail. To complete the festive martini, add a little nutmeg and cinnamon on top.
Does almond nog taste like eggnog? ›
Almond Breeze® Almondmilk Nog has the classic rich & creamy taste of traditional eggnog. This family favorite has 70 calories and is free of dairy, soy, lactose, cholesterol, peanuts, casein, gluten, eggs, saturated fat, and MSG.
