Eggnog is a beloved holiday drink made from eggs and milk. Discover the history of eggnog and where to buy local eggnog in New England.
Every year, it miraculously appears in the dairy case. Some folks wait all year for this moment, others walk right on by.
It’s the return of eggnog, the holiday drink that boasts a devoted fan base across New England – and likely has as many non-fans as ‘nog lovers.
Eggnog Has a Curious History:
In medieval times, it was called “posset,” a drink made of hot milk curdled with ale or wine, and sometimes sweetened or spiced. Blame a few well-meaning monks for adding whipped eggs (and a few figs for good measure). Whatever its final ingredient list, posset was pricey (milk, eggs and sherry were not cheap back then), so the rich were primarily posset drinkers, and they used it to toast to good health and prosperity.
Flash-forward to the 1700s, when American colonists jumped on the posset or eggnog wagon. Many colonists had their own farms, so they had plenty of eggs, and they also had access to cheaper whisky and rum. Rumor has it even George Washington was a fan, and by the 19th century, eggnog was regularly served during the holiday season. A tradition was born.
Eggnog once caused a riot. In 1826, West Point cadets objected to the new commandant nixing their consumption of a beloved spiked eggnog, and a riot broke out. Don’t mess with our ‘nog, was the clear message.
So you either love it or you don’t, but let’s be fair: for those nay-sayers, here’s a link to some eggnog recipes. Give them a spin.
PS – Trivia buffs may want to know that the name “eggnog” may come from the use of wooden mugs called “noggins” to serve posset.
Where To Get Farm Fresh Eggnog in New England:
* = Home delivery available
Connecticut:
- Arethusa Farm – Bantam and New Haven
- Elm Farm – Woodstock
- Fish Family Farm Creamery & Dairy – Bolton
- Mountain Dairy* – Storrs (delivery coverage on website)
- Smyths Trinity Farm* – Enfield (contact farm for delivery coverage)
- The Modern Milkman* – Ellington (delivery coverage on website)
- Woodstock Creamery at Valleyside Farm – Woodstock
Massachusetts:
- Cooper’s Hilltop Farm – Rochdale
- Crescent Ridge* – Sharon & Boston (delivery coverage on website)
- Elmhurst Dairy Farm* – Millbury (contact farm for delivery coverage)
- High Lawn Farm – Lee (find at area stores, details on website)
- Hornstra Dairy* – Norwell & Whitman (delivery coverage on website)
- Mapleline Farm – Hadley (find at area stores, details on website)
- Shaw Farm* – Dracut (delivery coverage on website)
- Stillman Dairy Farm – Lunenburg
- Thatcher Farms* – Milton (delivery coverage on website)
- Tully Farms Dairy* – Dunstable (delivery coverage on website)
New Hampshire:
- Contoocook Creamery at Bohanan Farm – Contoocook (find at area stores, details on website)
- Hatchland Farm – North Haverhill
- McNamara Dairy – Plainfield
Rhode Island:
- Munroe Dairy* – East Providence (delivery coverage on website)
- Wrights Dairy Farm – North Smithfield
- Arruda Dairy – Tiverton
Vermont:
- Strafford Organic Creamery – Strafford
New England Wide:
