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Eggnog Night
Dec 24
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
“So religiously is this custom of the eggnog drinking observed that Judge Garnett of Mathews County tells a story of rushing in on Christmas morning to warn his father that the house was on fire. The old gentleman first led his son to the breakfast table and ladled out his glass of eggnog, drank one with him, then went to care for the burning building.”
~ Good Housekeeping Magazine, 1900
Possets and Poussettes in one dance?! If you think a splash of whisky in the punch might enhance the festivities, you’re probably right! The dance devisor behind this lively 40-bar jig, also called "Peter’s Caper", has choreographed nearly non-stop figures for all four couples—perfectly suited to a little pre-dance punch to keep the spirits high. But tread carefully, for even the most delicately spiced punch can inspire unplanned reels—or, in the case of eggnog, outright revelry! Eggnog, that creamy holiday indulgence beloved in the American colonies, owes its popularity to an abundance of eggs, dairy, and a healthy dose of liquor. Its origins trace back to the 14th-century posset, a warm, spiced mixture of hot milk curdled with ale or wine, designed to cheer both body and soul. Modern eggnog takes this up a notch with the addition of eggs, rich cream, and a bartender’s dream selection of rum, whiskey, sherry, brandy, or bourbon. Yet, this festive treat isn’t all sugar and spice—it also carries the infamous legacy of the Eggnog Riot of Christmas Eve in 1826 at West Point. Also known as the "Grog Mutiny, overindulgence in this traditional drink by cadets, led to complete Christmas Eve chaos and court-martials! ❤️ 💚 ❤️ 🥚 🥃 💛 🤍
The Whisky Punch
December 24th is Eggnog Night!
Traditionally consumed throughout Canada and the United States at Christmas every year, eggnog is a rich concoction traditionally made with milk and/or cream, sugar, whipped eggs (which gives it a frothy texture) and, in some recipes, distilled spirits such as brandy, rum or bourbon. The finished serving is often garnished with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
This type of Whisky Punch also has the distinction as being the cause of one of the worst examples of eggnog-fueled debauchery in history, a Christmas incident known as "the Eggnog Riot," which took place at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, on 23–25 December 1826.
Alcohol possession at the academy was prohibited, along with drunkenness and intoxication, both of which could lead to expulsion. By 1826, concern had been raised that drinking was starting to get out of hand amongst the 260 cadets at the academy. The cadets were informed that, due to the alcohol prohibition on the site, their Christmas eggnog would be alcohol-free, prompting the decision by cadets to smuggle liquor into the academy.
Gallons of whiskey were smuggled into the barracks to make eggnog for a Christmas Day party. This led to "...a drunken free-for-all. Windows, furniture, and crockery were smashed; bannisters were torn from walls, fights broke out. One eggnog-addled cadet tried, but failed, to shoot his commanding officer."
By the time morning had arrived, the North Barracks had been completely wrecked.
For more on the infamous Eggnog Riot, pour yourself a glass of eggnog and click the painting below thought to depict the early hours before things got out of hand.
Cheers!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
