From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
A classic Christmas-season beverage of beaten egg yolks and sugar, spiced with nutmeg and spiked with spirits (often rum, but also bourbon, brandy, rye whiskey or sherry). It may have evolved from English posset; but Americans can claim eggnog as their own. Records show it first being served in a Philadelphia tavern in 1796. Ever the generalist, George Washington added brandy, rum, rye and sherry to his. See also tom and jerry.
