Although drinks which feature the yolk of an egg are not presently very popular because of fears of salmonella and the difficulty of mixing them, eggnog is a truly historic cocktail and it tends to make an appearance in many households each time the holidays come around.

Eggnog may be composed of either a whole egg or an egg yolk, a sweetening agent such as sugar, spirits, and cream or milk. Nutmeg is commonly sprinkled on the top as a garnish, and most dark liquors are suitable as the base.